Miniature ultrasonic transducer for removal of intravascular plaque and clots
First Claim
1. Ultrasonic apparatus for removal of intravascular blockages, including clots and plaque said ultrasonic apparatus comprising:
- radiator means for coupling ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage, said radiator means having a hollow cylindrical body portion and a hemispherical surface disposed at a radiating end thereof; and
piezoelectric crystal means, connected with said radiator means, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves having a frequency of between about 50 kHz and about 1.3 MHz, said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal means and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal means, said radiator means and piezoelectric crystal means being sized for intravascular positioning, said piezoelectric crystal having sufficient length to prevent significant power loss during loading of the radiator means caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasonic apparatus for clot dissolution and plaque ablation includes a radiator for coupling ultrasonic waves into plaque and a piezoelectric crystal, connected with said radiator, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves; said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal. The piezoelectric crystal is constructed in order to prevent significant power loss caused by a shifting of the inertial node of the generated ultrasonic waves to a position exterior to said piezoelectric crystal due to loading of the radiator-means caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the clot or plaque.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. Ultrasonic apparatus for removal of intravascular blockages, including clots and plaque said ultrasonic apparatus comprising:
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radiator means for coupling ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage, said radiator means having a hollow cylindrical body portion and a hemispherical surface disposed at a radiating end thereof; and piezoelectric crystal means, connected with said radiator means, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves having a frequency of between about 50 kHz and about 1.3 MHz, said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal means and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal means, said radiator means and piezoelectric crystal means being sized for intravascular positioning, said piezoelectric crystal having sufficient length to prevent significant power loss during loading of the radiator means caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Ultrasonic surgical apparatus for removal of intravascular blockage, including clots and plaque said ultrasonic apparatus comprising:
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a catheter having at least one lumen therethrough and adapted for intravascular positioning; an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the catheter lumen at a distal end thereof, said ultrasonic transducer comprising; radiator means for coupling ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage, said radiator means having a hollow cylindrical body portion and a hemispherical surface disposed at a radiating end thereof; piezoelectric crystal means, connected with said radiator means, for generating ultrasonic waves, having a frequency of between about 50 kHz and about 1.3 MHz, said ultrasonic waves being propagated along longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal means and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal means, said piezoelectric crystal means having sufficient length, to prevent power loss during loading of the radiator means caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage; and power source means, disposed exterior to a proximate end of said catheter and electrically connected to said ultrasonic transducer through said catheter lumen, for causing said piezoelectric crystal to generate ultrasonic waves. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification