Ultrasound imaging probe

Abstract

Abstract A miniature intravascular ultrasonic imaging probe (12) includes a probe guide assembly (14) having an ultrasonic transducer (34) fixed thereto, and internally housed electrical cabling (28) operatively connected to the transducer (34) for sending electrical pulses/signals to/from the transducer (34). The transducer (34) emits/receives ultrasonic waves along a path parallel to the elongate axis of the probe (12). The ultrasonic waves are directed radially of the probe (12) by means of a reflector (44) element which is distally spaced from the transducer (34) along the probe's axis by a dimension sufficient to remove ''dead space'' (i.e., an area where ultrasonic imaging is not possible) radially of the probe (12). An inductor coil (80) (which tunes the transducer to the electrical cabling) is coaxially housed within the probe guide assembly (14) closely adjacent and series connected thereto.

Inventors

• 👤 Joseph L. Pope, Jr.
• 👤 James M. Griffith
• 👤 James M. Gessert
• 👤 Mario Maciel
• 👤 Paul J. Zalesky

Bibliographic Details