Temporal echogenic markers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical device for use with an ultrasound imaging system configured to process ultrasound signals and display images in ultrasound procedures comprising:
- a marker which is capable of reflecting ultrasound waves;
wherein the marker is movable about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position;
wherein the marker further includes a first portion configured to reflect a first ultrasound wave back to an ultrasound wave source and a second portion configured to reflect a second ultrasound wave back to the ultrasound wave source and wherein said first portion is offset to one side of said axis of rotation and said second portion is offset to the other side of said axis of rotation;
wherein the marker further includes echogenic enhancements located on surfaces of the marker, whereby when an ultrasound signal is applied to the marker the echogenic enhancements cause a scattering of the ultrasound waves; and
,wherein when said marker moves between said first position and said second position, said first portion of the marker moves towards the ultrasound wave source, while said second portion of the marker moves away from the ultrasound wave source, whereby when the medical device is placed within a body and viewed on the ultrasound imaging system during ultrasound imaging procedures, the first and second portions of the marker concurrently reflect a portion of the ultrasound waves back to the ultrasound wave source, and whereby the ultrasound waves reflected from the first portion have a higher frequency than the ultrasound waves reflected from the second portion.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for enhancing observability under ultrasound imaging of medical devices include temporal markers which are dynamic, producing a variable ultrasound image over time. Included are rotating markers which produce a Doppler shift visible through ultrasound imaging in a Doppler mode and which enhance visibility of the marker. Other devices and methods include alternating streams of fluid contrast agents and saline as well as destroying a fluid contrast agent stream with a high intensity ultrasound pulse.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A medical device for use with an ultrasound imaging system configured to process ultrasound signals and display images in ultrasound procedures comprising:
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a marker which is capable of reflecting ultrasound waves; wherein the marker is movable about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position; wherein the marker further includes a first portion configured to reflect a first ultrasound wave back to an ultrasound wave source and a second portion configured to reflect a second ultrasound wave back to the ultrasound wave source and wherein said first portion is offset to one side of said axis of rotation and said second portion is offset to the other side of said axis of rotation;
wherein the marker further includes echogenic enhancements located on surfaces of the marker, whereby when an ultrasound signal is applied to the marker the echogenic enhancements cause a scattering of the ultrasound waves; and
,wherein when said marker moves between said first position and said second position, said first portion of the marker moves towards the ultrasound wave source, while said second portion of the marker moves away from the ultrasound wave source, whereby when the medical device is placed within a body and viewed on the ultrasound imaging system during ultrasound imaging procedures, the first and second portions of the marker concurrently reflect a portion of the ultrasound waves back to the ultrasound wave source, and whereby the ultrasound waves reflected from the first portion have a higher frequency than the ultrasound waves reflected from the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A medical device for use with ultrasound procedures comprising:
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a marker which is capable of reflecting ultrasound waves; wherein the marker is movable about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position; wherein the marker further includes a first portion configured to reflect ultrasound waves back to an ultrasound wave source and a second portion configured to reflect ultrasound waves back to the ultrasound wave source and wherein said first portion is offset to one side of said axis of rotation and said second portion is offset to the other side of said axis of rotation;
wherein the marker further includes echogenic enhancements located on surfaces of the marker, whereby when an ultrasound signal is applied to the marker the echogenic enhancements cause a scattering of the ultrasound waves; and
,wherein when said marker moves between said first position and said second position, said first portion of the marker moves towards the ultrasound wave source, while said second portion of the marker moves away from the ultrasound wave source, whereby when the medical device is placed within a body and viewed on an ultrasound image during ultrasound imaging procedures, the first and second portions of the marker concurrently reflect a portion of the ultrasound waves back to the ultrasound wave source, and whereby the ultrasound waves reflected from the first portion have a higher frequency than the ultrasound waves reflected from the second portion; and
,wherein the medical device includes a converter which includes a piezoelectric element excitable by ultrasound waves, wherein the converter converts ultrasound wave energy into rotational energy, whereby when the medical device is placed within a body and viewed on an ultrasound image during ultrasound imaging procedures, application of ultrasound waves to the medical device causes the marker to rotate about the axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification