Imaging probes and catheters for volumetric intraluminal ultrasound imaging and related systems
First Claim
1. A real time three dimensional ultrasound imaging probe apparatus configured to be placed inside a body, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongated body having proximal and distal ends;
an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body, wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array is configured to emit ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the distal end of the elongated body and receive reflected ultrasonic energy, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array comprises a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites to define an off-center interstitial site in the ultrasonic transducer phased array; and
a tool, that extends from the proximal end of said elongated body to said off-center interstitial site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A real time three dimensional ultrasound imaging probe apparatus is configured to be placed inside a body. The apparatus comprises an elongated body having proximal and distal ends with an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array is positioned to emit and receive ultrasonic energy for volumetric forward scanning from the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array includes a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements. At least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites, thereby defining an interstitial site. A tool is positioned at the interstitial site. In particular, the tool can be a fiber optic lead, a suction tool, a guide wire, an electrophysiological electrode, or an ablation electrode. Related systems are also discussed.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A real time three dimensional ultrasound imaging probe apparatus configured to be placed inside a body, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongated body having proximal and distal ends; an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body, wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array is configured to emit ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the distal end of the elongated body and receive reflected ultrasonic energy, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array comprises a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites to define an off-center interstitial site in the ultrasonic transducer phased array; and a tool, that extends from the proximal end of said elongated body to said off-center interstitial site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 40)
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13. A real time three dimensional ultrasound imaging probe apparatus configured to be placed inside a body, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongated body having proximal and distal ends; an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body, wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array is configured to emit ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the distal end of the elongated body and receive reflected ultrasonic energy; and an electrode assembly, connected to and overlying the ultrasonic transducer phased array, wherein the electrode assembly is transparent to ultrasonic energy, wherein the electrode assembly comprises; a first ground layer connected to and overlying the ultrasonic transducer phased array having a thickness in a range between about 0.02 μ
m and 20 μ
m,a first insulator layer connected to and overlying the first ground layer having a thickness in the range between about 0.02 μ
m and 20 μ
m; andan electrode connected to and overlying the first insulator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A real time three dimensional imaging biopsy apparatus configured to be inserted into a body, the apparatus comprising:
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a biopsy needle, configured to be inserted into the body; an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end is configured to be extended into the biopsy needle; an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body, wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array is configured to emit forward scanning ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the distal end of the elongated body and receive reflected ultrasonic energy. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A real time three dimensional ultrasonic imaging probe apparatus configured to be placed into a body, the apparatus comprising:
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a cannula configured to provide access to a cavity inside the body; an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end is configured to be extended through the cannula; an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body, wherein ultrasonic transducer phased array is configured to emit ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the distal end of the elongated body and receive reflected ultrasonic energy, wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array comprises a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites to define an interstitial site in the ultrasonic transducer phased array; and
wherein the apparatus further comprises a tool that extends from the proximal end of said elongated body to said interstitial site. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A real time three dimensional imaging catheter apparatus configured to emit ultrasonic energy and receive reflected ultrasonic energy, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongated body having proximal and distal ends; an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array is configured to emit ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the distal end of the elongated body and receive reflected ultrasonic energy; and a plurality of electrodes connected to and positioned around a perimeter of the elongated body substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A real time three dimensional ultrasonic imaging system comprising:
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a catheter having an elongated body with proximal and distal ends; an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body, wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array is configured to emit ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the distal end of the elongated body and receive reflected ultrasonic energy, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer phased array comprises a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements; and
wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites to define an interstitial site in the ultrasonic transducer phased array;a tool that extends from the proximal end of said elongated body to said interstitial site; a processor, responsive to the catheter, that controls the emission of ultrasonic energy for volumetric scanning from the ultrasonic transducer phased array and receives reflected ultrasonic energy, wherein the processor produces image data based on the received reflected ultrasonic energy; and a display, responsive to the processor, that produces an image based on the image data produced by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification