US5660180A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intravascular ultrasound imaging guidewire
Assignee: Coraje Inc
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Filing: 1996-05-28
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Granted: 1997-08-26
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Expires: 2016-05-28
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic imaging guidewire apparatus for ultrasonic diagnostic imaging of blood vessels, comprising: an elongated, flexible, catheter guide (10) having a plurality of electrical conductors, a transducer seat (11), attached to transducer seat (11) an ultrasonic transducer (14), a flexible distal guidewire (12). Distal guidewire (12) may be ended at its distal end with a protective ball (23). A rotary drive unit (28) for rotation of imaging guidewire together with transducer (14), and an electronic computer (30) for processing signals, obtained by reflecting ultrasonic pulses from tissue of the vessel surrounding transducer (14), into cross-sectional images of vessels.
Inventors
- 👤 Igor Malinowski
- 👤 Robert J. Siegel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61B8/12; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8934; G01S15/8938; G01S15/894; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; G10K11/355; A61B8/445; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An imaging/angioplasty apparatus for use in a human or animal vessel, comprising: an angioplasty catheter having a guidewire lumen surrounded by an inflatable balloon; and an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end of said guidewire having a transducer thereon, said guidewire arranged to rotate within said lumen of said catheter, with said inflatable balloon disposed proximally of said transducer on said catheter in an abutting longitudinally-inadvancable manner, to permit steady centralized ultrasonic imaging of plaque within a vessel distally of said angioplasty catheter balloon within that vessel being imaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An imaging/angioplasty apparatus for use in a human or animal vessel, comprising: an angioplasty catheter having a guidewire lumen surrounded by an inflatable balloon; and an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end of said guidewire having a transducer thereon, said guidewire arranged to rotate within said lumen of said catheter, with said inflatable balloon disposed proximally of said transducer on said catheter in an abutting longitudinally-inadvancable manner, to permit steady centralized ultrasonic imaging of plaque within a vessel distally of said angioplasty catheter balloon within that vessel being imaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The imaging/angioplasty apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a handle with a drive motor attached to said proximal end of said guidewire, to provide rotary motion to said guidewire and said transducer at said distal end of said guidewire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The imaging/angioplasty apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a transducer seat at said distal end of said guidewire for holding said transducer therein as said guidewire rotates within said catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The imaging/angioplasty apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said guidewire has a metal core for conducting electrical signals to and from said transducer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of performing a treating procedure on a human blood vessel comprising the steps of: inserting an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end, into a vessel to be treated, said guidewire having an imaging transducer arranged on its distal end; pushing a balloon catheter over said proximal end of said guidewire, said guidewire passing through a guidewire lumen of said angioplasty catheter, said catheter having a balloon on its distal end; threading said balloon catheter into said vessel over said guidewire only up to said transducer on said distal end of said guidewire to permit a centering relationship between said balloon catheter and said transducer; and centering said guidewire in the distal end of said catheter lumen so as to center and permit rotation of said transducer within the walls of a vessel being examined so as to image those walls.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of performing a treating procedure on a human blood vessel comprising the steps of: inserting an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end, into a vessel to be treated, said guidewire having an imaging transducer arranged on its distal end; pushing a balloon catheter over said proximal end of said guidewire, said guidewire passing through a guidewire lumen of said angioplasty catheter, said catheter having a balloon on its distal end; threading said balloon catheter into said vessel over said guidewire only up to said transducer on said distal end of said guidewire to permit a centering relationship between said balloon catheter and said transducer; and centering said guidewire in the distal end of said catheter lumen so as to center and permit rotation of said transducer within the walls of a vessel being examined so as to image those walls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of performing a treating procedure, as recited in claim 5, including the step of: attaching a handle to said proximal end of said guidewire, said handle having a motor arranged therein, to provide rotative empowerment to said guidewire in said catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of performing a treating procedure, as recited in claim 5, including the step of: inflating said balloon to a low first pressure to permit further centering of said transducer with respect to the vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of performing a treating procedure, as recited in claim 5, including the step of: inflating said balloon on said catheter to a second higher pressure to treat the wall of the vessel being imaged.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of performing a treating procedure, as recited in claim 8, including the step of: deflating said balloon on said catheter to permit said transducer and catheter to be moved within the vessel for further treatment thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of performing a treating procedure, as recited in claim 5, wherein said catheter is an angioplasty catheter.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of centering an imaging guidewire within a vessel, comprising the steps of: inserting an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end within the vessel to be imaged; placing a catheter with a guidewire lumen therethrough and a balloon on a distal end thereof, onto the proximal end of said guidewire; threading said guidewire through said lumen of said catheter; passing said catheter over said guidewire, and up to the distal end of said guidewire in a centralizing relationship therebetween, leaving said distal end of said guidewire exposed within the vessel; inflating said balloon to a low first pressure once the distal end of said catheter is adjacent said distal end of said guidewire, so as to centralize said guidewire in the vessel being treated.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of centering an imaging guidewire within a vessel, comprising the steps of: inserting an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end within the vessel to be imaged; placing a catheter with a guidewire lumen therethrough and a balloon on a distal end thereof, onto the proximal end of said guidewire; threading said guidewire through said lumen of said catheter; passing said catheter over said guidewire, and up to the distal end of said guidewire in a centralizing relationship therebetween, leaving said distal end of said guidewire exposed within the vessel; inflating said balloon to a low first pressure once the distal end of said catheter is adjacent said distal end of said guidewire, so as to centralize said guidewire in the vessel being treated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said guidewire has an ultrasonic transducer disposed on said distal end thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, including the step of: rotating said ultrasonic transducer and said guidewire once said guidewire has been centralized in the vessel being treated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13, including the step of: energizing said transducer so as to generate ultrasonic images of the vessel distal of said balloon at the distal end of said catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 11, including the step of: attaching a handle having a motor therewithin, to said proximal end of said guidewire so as to permit rotation of said guidewire and manipulation of said catheter within the vessel being treated.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of performing a blood vessel treating procedure comprising the steps of: inserting an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end, into a vessel to be treated, said guidewire having an imaging transducer arranged on its distal end; pushing a balloon catheter over said proximal end of said guidewire, said guidewire passing through a guidewire lumen of said angioplasty catheter, said catheter having said balloon on its distal end; threading said balloon catheter into the vessel over said guidewire, up to said imaging transducer in a self centering relationship therebetween; inflating said balloon on said distal end of said catheter to a first light pressure, so as to further centralize said guidewire within said vessel; attaching a handle having a motor therewithin, to said proximal end of said guidewire so as to permit rotation of said guidewire and manipulation of said catheter within the vessel being treated; rotating said ultrasonic transducer and said guidewire once said guidewire has been centralized in the vessel being treated; and energizing said transducer so as to generate ultrasonic images of the vessel at the distal end of said catheter.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of performing a blood vessel treating procedure comprising the steps of: inserting an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal and a distal end, into a vessel to be treated, said guidewire having an imaging transducer arranged on its distal end; pushing a balloon catheter over said proximal end of said guidewire, said guidewire passing through a guidewire lumen of said angioplasty catheter, said catheter having said balloon on its distal end; threading said balloon catheter into the vessel over said guidewire, up to said imaging transducer in a self centering relationship therebetween; inflating said balloon on said distal end of said catheter to a first light pressure, so as to further centralize said guidewire within said vessel; attaching a handle having a motor therewithin, to said proximal end of said guidewire so as to permit rotation of said guidewire and manipulation of said catheter within the vessel being treated; rotating said ultrasonic transducer and said guidewire once said guidewire has been centralized in the vessel being treated; and energizing said transducer so as to generate ultrasonic images of the vessel at the distal end of said catheter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 16, including the step of: pressurizing said balloon to a higher plaque treating pressure after said guidewire and transducer have been centralized in the vessel and utilized for vessel analysis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16, including the step of: threading said catheter over said guidewire only up to said transducer in a non-overlapping exposed-transducer relationship.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 16, including the step of: mating said proximal end of said guidewire into a receiving mandrel in said handle, in a tight fitting engagement, said receiving mandrel secured to said motor for the transmission of rotary motion therethrough.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19, including the step of: attaching an encoder on said handle, to permit showing of the angular position of said mandrel thereby.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16, including the step of: depositing a thin layer of insulation on said guidewire.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21, including the step of: depositing a thin metallization layer on said guidewire, to permit electronic conduction thereby.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said treating procedure is an angioplasty procedure, said balloon being expanded to apply pressure against a vessel wall.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of treating a blood vessel in a human body, comprising the steps of: inserting a first guidewire having a proximal and a distal end into the vessel being treated said first guidewire having an image generating transducer conductively arranged thereon, adjacent its distal end; inserting a vessel treating catheter having an inner guidewire lumen, over said inserted first guidewire up to said image generating transducer to permit centering of said transducer with respect to catheter; imaging the vessel being treated via said first guidewire, to communicate an image to a catheter operator, so as to permit the operator controlling said treating catheter to correctly effect catheter based treatment of the walls of the vessel being treated.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of treating a blood vessel in a human body, comprising the steps of: inserting a first guidewire having a proximal and a distal end into the vessel being treated said first guidewire having an image generating transducer conductively arranged thereon, adjacent its distal end; inserting a vessel treating catheter having an inner guidewire lumen, over said inserted first guidewire up to said image generating transducer to permit centering of said transducer with respect to catheter; imaging the vessel being treated via said first guidewire, to communicate an image to a catheter operator, so as to permit the operator controlling said treating catheter to correctly effect catheter based treatment of the walls of the vessel being treated.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 24, including the step of: inspecting said vessel being treated during the treatment procedure by said treating catheter placed over said guidewire, by energization of said transducer thereon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said treating catheter has an inflatable treating balloon disposed on the distal end thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said balloon on said catheter is disposed proximal to said transducer during use on said guidewire.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26, including the step of: rotating said transducer on said guidewire in said vessel to permit imaging of an annular portion of the vessel being treated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28, including the step of: empowering rotation of said guidewire by connecting a motorized handle to said proximal end of said guidewire.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 29, including the step of: encoding rotation of said guidewire in said motorized handle by attaching an encoder disk registered in a pickup sensor therein to said guidewire, to permit status and control of said rotation of said transducer and guidewire, by an operator of said guidewire.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26, including the step of: inflating said balloon on said catheter to effect treatment of the walls of the vessel by said treatment catheter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 24, including the step of: attaching a protective round ball on the distalmost end of said guidewire, to minimize the likelihood of damage to any vessel being treated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
123 words
An catheter apparatus for use in treating a human or an animal vessel, comprising: an elongated flexible shaft with a proximal and a distal end, said shaft having a central guidewire lumen arranged to removably receive a guidewire therein, said distal end of said shaft having an inflatable balloon disposed therearound; and an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said guidewire having a transducer thereon, said guidewire arranged to rotate centrally and non-eccentrically within said lumen of said catheter, with said transducer centrally rotatably disposed adjacent said inflatable balloon on said catheter, to permit a stable ultrasonic imaging of plaque within a vessel adjacent said balloon on said catheter within that vessel being imaged.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
123 words
An catheter apparatus for use in treating a human or an animal vessel, comprising: an elongated flexible shaft with a proximal and a distal end, said shaft having a central guidewire lumen arranged to removably receive a guidewire therein, said distal end of said shaft having an inflatable balloon disposed therearound; and an elongated flexible guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said guidewire having a transducer thereon, said guidewire arranged to rotate centrally and non-eccentrically within said lumen of said catheter, with said transducer centrally rotatably disposed adjacent said inflatable balloon on said catheter, to permit a stable ultrasonic imaging of plaque within a vessel adjacent said balloon on said catheter within that vessel being imaged.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
52 words
The catheter apparatus as recited in claim 33, including a handle with a drive motor attached to said proximal end of said guidewire, to provide rotary motion to said guidewire and said transducer at said distal end of said guidewire, to permit said transducer to rotate within said vessel for imaging thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The catheter apparatus as recited in claim 33, including a transducer seat at said distal end of said guidewire for holding said transducer therein, distal of said catheter, as said guidewire rotates within said catheter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
The catheter apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said guidewire is comprised of a metal conductor for conducting electrical signals to and from said transducer, to permit images generated by said transducer to be viewed by an operator of said apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-25 | 2001-02-24 | 2001-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-25 | 2005-02-24 | 2005-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-25 | 2009-02-24 | 2009-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |