Patent US5651366A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5651366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Forward viewing ultrasonic imaging catheter
Assignee: Leland Stanford Junior University
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Filing: 1996-05-29
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Granted: 1997-07-29
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Expires: 2016-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A simple forward viewing ultrasound catheter includes one or more transducers and an ultrasound mirror supported by a bearing in a sealed end of a catheter with a drive cable imparting relative motion to the transducer and mirror. The mirror directs ultrasound waves forward of the catheter. An optical fiber can be provided to direct a laser beam for ablation of atheroma while under guidance of simultaneous intravascular ultrasound. A portion of a cavity can be simultaneously imaged while an interventional device operates on the imaged portion of the cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 David H. Liang
- 👤 Bob S. Hu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; A61B8/4483; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; A61B8/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An ultrasound imaging catheter comprising a catheter having a distal end and a longitudinal axis, ultrasound means mounted within said catheter and spaced from said longitudinal axis for generating an ultrasound beam at an angle to said longitudinal axis, a mirror mounted within said catheter adjacent to the distal end for redirecting said ultrasound beam in a forward direction, and means for imparting relative rotational orientation between said ultrasound means and said mirror whereby said ultrasound beam is redirected generally in a pattern extending forward of said distal end, said relative rotational orientation being about an axis extending in a generally forward direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An ultrasound imaging catheter comprising a catheter having a distal end and a longitudinal axis, ultrasound means mounted within said catheter and spaced from said longitudinal axis for generating an ultrasound beam at an angle to said longitudinal axis, a mirror mounted within said catheter adjacent to the distal end for redirecting said ultrasound beam in a forward direction, and means for imparting relative rotational orientation between said ultrasound means and said mirror whereby said ultrasound beam is redirected generally in a pattern extending forward of said distal end, said relative rotational orientation being about an axis extending in a generally forward direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1, wherein said ultrasound means comprises an array of ultrasound transducers positioned circumferentially within said catheter around said mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 2, wherein said mirror has a curved surface to generate focusing of an ultrasound beam and permit the use of smaller ultrasound transducers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 2, wherein relative rotational orientation is achieved by varying signal transmit and signal receive delays of said transducers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 4, wherein responses for each transducer are obtained from sequential transmit pulses and are recombined mathematically to generate an effective planar transmitter and receiver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1, wherein three-dimensional scanning is accomplished by altering orientation of both said mirror and said ultrasound means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 6, wherein responses for each transducer are obtained from sequential transmit pulses and are recombined mathematically to generate an effective planar transmitter and receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 6, wherein alteration of at least one of said mirror and said ultrasound means is effected by a micromotor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1 and further including a mechanism to reorient a tip at said distal end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 9, wherein said mechanism comprises cables located eccentrically within said catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 9, wherein said mechanism comprises a shape memory alloy mounted near the tip of said catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 9, wherein said mechanism comprises at least one of a bimorph and a unimorph component mounted near the top of said catheter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 9, wherein said mechanism comprises a deformable conductive polymer component mounted near the tip of said catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1, wherein said ultrasound means and said mirror are mounted within said catheter which is linearly translatable within a deflectable sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1 and further including a steerable guide at said distal end of said catheter for directing an interventional device into a field of view of said ultrasound imaging catheter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1 and further including a device for removing plaque mounted proximally to said imaging catheter whereby said device remains at a fixed point in the field of view.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 16, wherein said device comprises a fiber optic guide for the delivery of laser energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 16, wherein said device comprises an electrode for the delivery of electrical energy for electro-erosion of plaque.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 16, wherein said device comprises a rotatable abrasive device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 16, wherein said device comprises a cutting head on a central lumen for the aspiration of removed plaque.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 16, wherein said device is coaxial with said imaging catheter, said device protruding through the center of said mirror and remaining in the field of view.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 21, wherein rotational motion of said mirror drives said device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 22, wherein said device comprises a cutting head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 22, wherein said device comprises an abrasive device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1 and including an interventional device which is steerable within the field of view of said ultrasound imaging catheter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The ultrasound imaging catheter as defined by claim 1 and further including an interventional device and wherein said catheter simultaneously images a portion of a cavity while said interventional device operates on the imaged portion of said cavity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-28 | 2001-01-27 | 2001-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-28 | 2005-01-27 | 2005-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-28 | 2009-01-27 | 2009-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |