Catheter-mounted, phased-array ultrasound transducer with improved imaging
DCFirst Claim
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1. A phased-array ultrasonic transducer comprising:
- a catheter comprising a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;
an array of transducer elements carried by the distal end of the catheter, said array defining an azimuthal axis oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
said catheter comprising an end portion positioned adjacent and radially outwardly from the array, said end portion conducting ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the array with a speed greater than about 1250 m/sec and being substantially non-focusing to said ultrasound waves;
said end portion characterized by a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 8 mm.
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Abstract
A phased-array ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a catheter. An end portion is mounted to the catheter around a transducer array, and the end portion defines an acoustic window which is essentially non-focusing to ultrasonic energy passing therethrough. Because the acoustic window is non-focusing, a relatively small radius of curvature can be used on the radially outer surface of this window.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A phased-array ultrasonic transducer comprising:
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a catheter comprising a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; an array of transducer elements carried by the distal end of the catheter, said array defining an azimuthal axis oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; said catheter comprising an end portion positioned adjacent and radially outwardly from the array, said end portion conducting ultrasound waves to and from an active surface of the array with a speed greater than about 1250 m/sec and being substantially non-focusing to said ultrasound waves; said end portion characterized by a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than about 8 mm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification