Connector for securing ultrasound catheter to transducer

• US 10,349,964 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flowcardia Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Flowcardia Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Nita, Henry, Tran, Martinos
• Primary Examiner(s): Cwern, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US15/256,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20160367284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory

Abstract

An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer having a transducer housing and a horn provided at the distal end of the transducer housing, an ultrasound transmission member, a sonic connector that is connected to the horn and the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member, and a catheter knob having a proximal end that is coupled to the distal end of the transducer housing. The catheter knob has a proximal bore that houses the sonic connector. The system also includes a nesting piece that is retained inside the proximal bore of the catheter knob. The nesting piece can be moved from a first position where the sonic connector is received inside the nesting piece to a second position where the sonic connector is separated from the nesting piece when ultrasound energy is being propagated through the ultrasound transmission member.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an ultrasound transducer housing containing a transducer horn that is connected to a signal generator;

a transducer mechanism comprising a slide collar assembly that comprises an outer ring that is disposed around an inner ring having a longitudinal slit through a wall of the inner ring;

and

a catheter having;

a flexible body;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

at least one longitudinal lumen;

an ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end and disposed in the lumen;

a connector joining the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member and the transducer horn;

a knob having a proximal end that is coupled to the distal end of the transducer housing, the knob having a proximal bore that houses the connector;

and

a nesting piece that is retained inside the proximal bore of the knob, the nesting piece movable from a first position where the connector is received inside the nesting piece to a second position where the connector is separated from the nesting piece.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transducer mechanism is configured to move from a first position to a second position, and wherein the transducer mechanism is configured such that movement of the transducer mechanism from the first position to the second position engages a control ring on the catheter.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the catheter mechanism has a longitudinal interface.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the catheter mechanism has a transverse interface.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the connector and the transducer horn have a threaded connection.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the connector and the transducer horn have a frictional connection.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the catheter mechanism freely overlaps at least a portion of the connector.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the catheter mechanism comprises removable components.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the catheter mechanism comprises fixed and removable components.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the catheter mechanism is configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the ultrasound transmission member.

11. A method comprising:

providing a catheter comprising;

an elongated flexible body,

a proximal end,

a distal end,

a knob having a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the elongated flexible body extends from the distal end of the knob,

a control ring disposed around the proximal end of the knob,

a nesting piece that is retained inside a proximal bore of the knob, the nesting piece movable from a first position where a connector is received inside the nesting piece to a second position where the connector is separated from the nesting piece,

at least one longitudinal lumen,

an ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end and extending through the lumen,

a connector that is secured to the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member and disposed within the nesting piece, and

a catheter mechanism comprising the control ring and the nesting piece, the catheter mechanism being movable from a first position where the nesting piece is engaged around the connector so as to restrain the connector and a second position where the nesting piece is disengaged from the connector;

providing a transducer housing comprising;

a transducer horn that is connectable to a signal generator, and

a transducer mechanism comprising a slide collar assembly separate from and disposed around a longitudinally slit inner ring, wherein the transducer mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position, operatively coupling the transducer housing to the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member;

moving the transducer mechanism from the first position to the second position to engage the control ring on the catheter and move the nesting piece from the first position to the second position, when the transducer is connected and transmitting ultrasound energy to the catheter, the catheter mechanism in the first position substantially prevents the transmission of ultrasound energy to the ultrasound transmission member and the catheter mechanism in the second position permits the transmission of ultrasound energy to the ultrasound transmission member;

and

transmitting ultrasound energy to the proximal end of the catheter.