US6592526B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resolution ultrasound devices for imaging and treatment of body lumens
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-10-17
•
Granted: 2003-07-15
•
Expires: 2020-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A rotationally vibrating imaging catheter and method of utilization has an array of ultrasound transducers and an actuator along with signal processing, display, and power subsystems. The actuator of the preferred embodiment is a solid-state nitinol actuator. The actuator causes the array to oscillate such that the tip of the catheter may be rotated through an angle equal to or less than 360 degrees. The tip is then capable of rotating back the same amount. This action is repeated until the desired imaging information is acquired. The rotationally vibrating catheter produces more imaging points than a non-rotating imaging catheter and eliminates areas of missing information in the reconstructed image. Rotationally vibrating catheters offer higher image resolution than stationary array catheters and greater flexibility and lower costs than mechanically rotating imaging catheters. The rotationally vibrating array carried on a catheter may also be vibrated or rocked forward and backward to allow for acquisition of three-dimensional information within a region around the transducer array. The addition of adjunctive therapies to the imaging catheter enhances the utility of the instrument. Examples of such therapies include atherectomy, stent placement, thrombectomy and irradiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay Alan Lenker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An imaging device for emitting ultrasonic acoustic waves and providing a useable image in response to detection of reflections of said ultrasonic acoustic waves, said imaging device comprising: an axially elongate structure adapted for insertion into a body lumen or cavity; an array of radially, outwardly directed transmitting transducer elements mounted to said axially elongate structure for electrically generating a plurality of output ultrasonic waves; at least one primary actuator operably connected to said axially elongate structure, at or near its distal end, for rotationally vibrating said array of radially, outwardly directed transmitting transducer elements; a cable connecting said axially elongate structure to an environment external of said body lumen or cavity and including at least one signal channel for transporting electrical signals; at least one receiving transducer element mounted on said axially elongate structure and proximate to said array of transmitting transducer elements for receiving reflections of said output ultrasonic acoustic waves from said array of transmitting transducer elements and converting said reflections of said output ultrasonic acoustic waves to reflection electrical signals that may be transmitted along at least one of said signal channels in said cable; a processor responsive to said reflection electrical signals from said cable for providing imaging data from said reflection electrical signals; and a display responsive to said imaging data for providing a visual image of said body lumen or cavity and surrounding structures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
An imaging device for emitting ultrasonic acoustic waves and providing a useable image in response to detection of reflections of said ultrasonic acoustic waves, said imaging device comprising: an axially elongate structure adapted for insertion into a body lumen or cavity; an array of radially, outwardly directed transmitting transducer elements mounted to said axially elongate structure for electrically generating a plurality of output ultrasonic waves; at least one primary actuator operably connected to said axially elongate structure, at or near its distal end, for rotationally vibrating said array of radially, outwardly directed transmitting transducer elements; a cable connecting said axially elongate structure to an environment external of said body lumen or cavity and including at least one signal channel for transporting electrical signals; at least one receiving transducer element mounted on said axially elongate structure and proximate to said array of transmitting transducer elements for receiving reflections of said output ultrasonic acoustic waves from said array of transmitting transducer elements and converting said reflections of said output ultrasonic acoustic waves to reflection electrical signals that may be transmitted along at least one of said signal channels in said cable; a processor responsive to said reflection electrical signals from said cable for providing imaging data from said reflection electrical signals; and a display responsive to said imaging data for providing a visual image of said body lumen or cavity and surrounding structures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the axially elongate structure comprises apparatus adapted for performing endovascular therapy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the axially elongate structure is adapted to monitor the endovascular therapy using the array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axially elongate structure comprises an inflatable balloon and at least one lumen for inflation and deflation of said balloon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axially elongate structure comprises a lumen for passage of a guidewire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axially elongate structure comprises a stent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axially elongate structure further comprises apparatus for addition or removal of foreign bodies, fluids, or materials from the body lumen or cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second actuator, operably connected to said axially elongate structure, to vibrate the radially, outwardly directed transducer array about an axis different than that of the primary actuator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising apparatus to map a three-dimensional image onto a two-dimensional monitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transmitting transducer elements and said receiving transducer elements are the same physical entity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a forwardly directed array of transducer elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator is constructed from shape-memory materials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator is comprised of nitinol.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of imaging characteristics of a body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure using a catheter assembly comprising a catheter shaft, a radial scanning array of outwardly directed transducer elements, located at the end of a transmission line, and at least one actuator, operably connected near the distal end of said catheter shaft, said method comprising the steps of: inserting said catheter assembly into said body lumen or cavity; emitting ultrasonic signals into said body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure by selectively exciting at least one of said transducer elements; rotationally oscillating said array of transducer elements to intermediate scan positions with respect to an initial imaging position, the oscillation being in the circumferential direction, relative to a distal region of said catheter shaft, using said at least one actuator; receiving reflections of said ultrasonic signals impinging on at least one of said transducer elements; converting said reflections of said ultrasonic signals to reflection electrical signals suitable for transmission on said transmission line; transmitting said reflection electrical signals on said transmission line to an area external to said body lumen or cavity; processing said reflection electrical signals into image data; and using said image data to guide said catheter so as to perform atherectomy, thrombectomy, stent or material delivery, stent or material removal, angioplasty, drug delivery, or radiation therapy of the body lumen or cavity.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of imaging characteristics of a body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure using a catheter assembly comprising a catheter shaft, a radial scanning array of outwardly directed transducer elements, located at the end of a transmission line, and at least one actuator, operably connected near the distal end of said catheter shaft, said method comprising the steps of: inserting said catheter assembly into said body lumen or cavity; emitting ultrasonic signals into said body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure by selectively exciting at least one of said transducer elements; rotationally oscillating said array of transducer elements to intermediate scan positions with respect to an initial imaging position, the oscillation being in the circumferential direction, relative to a distal region of said catheter shaft, using said at least one actuator; receiving reflections of said ultrasonic signals impinging on at least one of said transducer elements; converting said reflections of said ultrasonic signals to reflection electrical signals suitable for transmission on said transmission line; transmitting said reflection electrical signals on said transmission line to an area external to said body lumen or cavity; processing said reflection electrical signals into image data; and using said image data to guide said catheter so as to perform atherectomy, thrombectomy, stent or material delivery, stent or material removal, angioplasty, drug delivery, or radiation therapy of the body lumen or cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said method further comprises the step of displaying said image data on a visual display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said method further comprises the step of displaying said image data in real time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the shaft of said catheter assembly is substantially stationary with respect to the surrounding body lumen or cavity during an imaging process.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the radial scanning array of outwardly directed transducer elements are further rocked or pivoted in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, using a second actuator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising mapping a three-dimensional image onto a two dimensional monitor.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of imaging characteristics of a body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure using a catheter assembly comprising a catheter shaft, a radial scanning array of outwardly directed transducer elements located at the end of a transmission line, and at least one primary actuator operably connected near the distal end of said catheter shaft, said method comprising the steps of: inserting said catheter assembly into said body lumen or cavity; emitting ultrasonic signals into said body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure by selectively exciting at least one of said transducers elements; rotationally oscillating said array of transducer elements to intermediate scan positions with respect to an initial imaging position, the oscillation being in the circumferential direction, relative to a distal region of said catheter shaft, wherein the at least one primary actuator rotationally oscillates said array of transducer elements; rocking or pivoting said array of transducer elements in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, wherein a second actuator rocks or pivots said array of transducer elements; receiving reflections of said ultrasonic signals impinging on at least one of said transducer elements; converting said reflections of said ultrasonic signals to reflection electrical signals suitable for transmission on said transmission line; transmitting said reflection electrical signals on said transmission line to an area external to said body lumen or cavity; and processing said reflection electrical signals into real time three-dimensional image data.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of imaging characteristics of a body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure using a catheter assembly comprising a catheter shaft, a radial scanning array of outwardly directed transducer elements located at the end of a transmission line, and at least one primary actuator operably connected near the distal end of said catheter shaft, said method comprising the steps of: inserting said catheter assembly into said body lumen or cavity; emitting ultrasonic signals into said body lumen or cavity and surrounding structure by selectively exciting at least one of said transducers elements; rotationally oscillating said array of transducer elements to intermediate scan positions with respect to an initial imaging position, the oscillation being in the circumferential direction, relative to a distal region of said catheter shaft, wherein the at least one primary actuator rotationally oscillates said array of transducer elements; rocking or pivoting said array of transducer elements in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, wherein a second actuator rocks or pivots said array of transducer elements; receiving reflections of said ultrasonic signals impinging on at least one of said transducer elements; converting said reflections of said ultrasonic signals to reflection electrical signals suitable for transmission on said transmission line; transmitting said reflection electrical signals on said transmission line to an area external to said body lumen or cavity; and processing said reflection electrical signals into real time three-dimensional image data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20 wherein acquisition of the image data is substantially independent of motion of the shaft of said catheter.
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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) | 2006-07-14 | 2007-01-13 | 2007-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-14 | 2011-01-13 | 2011-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-14 | 2015-01-13 | 2015-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |