TEMPORAL ECHOGENIC MARKERS

• US 20140221820A1
• Filed: 02/03/2014
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Muffin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Muffin Incorporated
• Inventors: McKinnis, Peter S., Zhou, Yun, Fearnot, Neal E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,034,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/481 involving the use of contrast agent, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream analysis of echo signal exploiting properties of a contrast enhancer in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52039
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/488 involving Doppler signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

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.

Claims

1. A device for use with ultrasound imaging procedures comprising:

a medical device having a marker rotatable about an axis;

wherein the marker is adapted to rotate at a first rotation rate; and

wherein when positioned within a body and when rotating at the first rotation rate the marker produces a Doppler shift which is observable through ultrasound imaging procedures when the marker is subjected to ultrasound waves.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device is configured to be implanted within a body.

3. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising 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.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the marker further comprises 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.

5. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a battery and an ultrasound sensor, wherein rotation of the marker is powered by the battery, wherein the medical device is switchable between an active state and an inactive state, wherein when in the active state the marker rotates and when in the inactive state the marker does not rotate, and wherein subjecting the ultrasound sensor to ultrasound waves changes the medical device from the inactive state to the active state.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein during rotation a first part of the marker moves towards an ultrasound wave source, while a second part 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 parts of the marker reflect a portion of the ultrasound waves back to the ultrasound wave source, whereby the ultrasound waves reflected from the first part have a different frequency from the ultrasound waves reflected from the second part.

7. A medical device for use with ultrasound procedures comprising:

a medical device having a marker which is capable of reflecting ultrasound waves;

wherein the marker is movable 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 a source when the marker is in the first position and a second portion configured to reflect a second ultrasound wave back to the source when the marker is in the second position; and

wherein at least one characteristic property of the first ultrasound wave is different from that of the second ultrasound wave.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein when the marker is placed within a body and viewed on an ultrasound image during ultrasound imaging procedures, sequential movements of the marker between the first position and the second position cause a blink on the ultrasound image.

9. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the marker is rotatable about an axis between the first position and the second position.

10. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the marker further comprises echogenic enhancements located on surfaces of the marker, whereby when ultrasound waves are applied to the marker the echogenic enhancements cause a scattering of the ultrasound waves.

11. The medical device of claim 7, further comprising 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.

12. The medical device of claim 7, further comprising a battery and an ultrasound sensor, wherein rotation of the marker is powered by the battery, wherein the medical device is switchable between an active state and an inactive state, wherein when in the active state the marker rotates and when in the inactive state the marker does not rotate, and wherein subjecting the ultrasound sensor to ultrasound waves changes the medical device from the inactive state to the active state.

13. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the marker is rotatable about a rotation axis, and wherein the marker is a flat, planar shaped object rotatable fixed to a shaft having a shaft axis which is coaxial with the rotation axis.

14. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the marker is rotatable about a rotation axis, and wherein the marker is a helix shaped object fixed to a shaft having a shaft axis which is coaxial with the rotation axis.

15. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the medical device is configured to be implanted within a body.

16. A medical device for use with ultrasound procedures comprising:

a medical device having a liquid flow path that is configured to contain a flowing liquid, the liquid flow path at least partially filled with alternating portions of a first liquid and a second liquid,

wherein the first liquid has a first echogenicity and wherein the second liquid has a second echogenicity different from the first echogenicity.

17. The medical device of claim 16, wherein when the medical device is placed within a body and viewed on an ultrasound image during ultrasound imaging procedures, sequential filling of the liquid flow path which alternates between the first liquid and the second liquid causes a blink on the ultrasound image.

18. A medical device for use with ultrasound procedures comprising:

a medical device having a liquid flow path that is configured to contain a flowing liquid having a fluid contrast agent; and

wherein the echogenicity of the fluid contrast agent is changeable by applying an ultrasound signal to the fluid contrast agent.

19. The medical device of claim 18, wherein when the medical device is placed within a body and viewed on an ultrasound image during ultrasound imaging procedures, sequential application of bursts of high intensity ultrasound to the fluid contrast agent disrupts the echogenicity of the fluid contrast agent.

20. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the fluid contrast agent includes microbubbles.