Longitudinal multiplane ultrasound transducer underfluid catheter system
First Claim
1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
- a catheter including an outer body and a drive shaft receivable in the outer body and rotatable with respect to the outer body;
a transducer phased array mounted on the drive shaft, the transducer phased array being rotatable with the drive shaft, the transducer phased array transmitting signals toward outside of the catheter; and
the outer body having an ultrasound window portion at least partially transparent to the signals, the transducer phased array being longitudinally positionable within the outer body proximate the window portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An underfluid imaging, diagnostic, interventional, or measuring catheter apparatus including an outer catheter body and a drive shaft receivable in the outer body and rotatable with respect to the outer body; an ultrasound transducer array mounted on the rotatable drive shaft and rotated with the drive shaft; and a ultrasound window portion disposed on the outer body, wherein the ultrasound transducer array is longitudinally positionable within the outer body proximate the window portion so as to allow transmission of ultrasound signals from the transducer array to the outside of the catheter. The ultrasound signals are a sequential set of spatially related tomographic image planes which define a volumetric field of view around the catheter. An underfluid therapeutic or diagnostic device can be received in the catheter through a port extending from proximate a proximal end to proximate a distal end of the catheter. The device is operated in the volumetric field of view which provides a real time image of the operation.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
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a catheter including an outer body and a drive shaft receivable in the outer body and rotatable with respect to the outer body; a transducer phased array mounted on the drive shaft, the transducer phased array being rotatable with the drive shaft, the transducer phased array transmitting signals toward outside of the catheter; and the outer body having an ultrasound window portion at least partially transparent to the signals, the transducer phased array being longitudinally positionable within the outer body proximate the window portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
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a catheter including a catheter body having a longitudinal axis; an ultrasonic transducer phased array mounted on the catheter body and oriented so as to extend longitudinally along the catheter, the transducer phased array being constructed and arranged for transmitting an ultrasonic signal radially outward from the catheter body; and image rotating structure for controlling a radial direction in which the ultrasound signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer phased array, wherein the image rotating structure is constructed and arranged to rotate the radial direction in which the ultrasound signal is transmitted about the longitudinal axis of the catheter body without rotating the catheter body. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of imaging a cavity, comprising the steps of:
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providing a catheter having a longitudinal axis and a transducer phased array mounted on the catheter and extending along the longitudinal axis; positioning the catheter in the cavity; generating a plurality of spatially related and radially spaced ultrasonic images around at least a portion of a circumference of the catheter without physically rotating the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification