Surgical instrument with ultrasound pulse generator
First Claim
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1. A medical device for use with an ultrasound scanner which generates an incident ultrasound pulse and generates a timing signal, said medical device comprising:
- a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising a manipulator for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation; and
an ultrasound transducer disposed within said zone of manipulation; and
electronics coupled to said transducer, said electronics configured to receive the timing signal from the ultrasound scanner and configured to control said transducer such that when a signal level of said incident ultrasound pulse falls below a level at which said transducer may detect said incident ultrasound pulse, said electronics drives said transducer to generate a timed ultrasound pulse based on the timing signal.
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Abstract
A surgical instrument comprising a probe for insertion into the body of a host and for manipulating the tissues of the host, the probe including an ultrasound transducer element for locating and positioning the probe within the body of the host; and a method for manipulating the tissues of a host using the surgical instrument.
158 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A medical device for use with an ultrasound scanner which generates an incident ultrasound pulse and generates a timing signal, said medical device comprising:
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a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising a manipulator for manipulating tissue within a zone of manipulation; and an ultrasound transducer disposed within said zone of manipulation; and electronics coupled to said transducer, said electronics configured to receive the timing signal from the ultrasound scanner and configured to control said transducer such that when a signal level of said incident ultrasound pulse falls below a level at which said transducer may detect said incident ultrasound pulse, said electronics drives said transducer to generate a timed ultrasound pulse based on the timing signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of determining a measure of freezing of tissue comprising the steps of:
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disposing a transducer within an area of tissue; freezing the tissue around said transducer within said area of tissue; receiving an incident ultrasound pulse at a transducer disposed within said area of tissue during said step of freezing; and responding to said incident radiated signal by transmission of a responsive ultrasound pulse. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A medical device comprising:
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a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising a cryogenic tip for freezing tissue in a predetermined area; and a transducer on said probe and disposed within said predetermined area, wherein said transducer responds to receipt of an incident radiated signal by generation of a responsive radiated signal so that an extent of tissue freezing may be monitored and responds to receipt of an external timing signal by generation of said responsive radiated signal so that said extent of tissue manipulation may be monitored if a signal strength of said incident radiated signal falls below a detectable level.
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12. A medical device comprising:
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a cryoprobe configured to freeze an area of tissue; a transducer attached to said cryoprobe such that said transducer is inserted into and removed from said area of the tissue with said probe; and electronics coupled to said transducer and configured to control said transducer such that said transducer responds to receipt of an incident radiated signal by generation of a responsive radiated signal and responds to receipt of an external timing signal by generation of said responsive radiated signal if a signal strength of said incident radiated signal falls below a predetermined level.
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13. A medical device comprising:
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a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, said probe comprising a cryogenic manipulator for freezing tissue within a zone of manipulation; and a transducer on said probe and disposed within said zone of manipulation, and including electronics to drive said transducer to respond to receipt of an incident radiated signal by generation of a responsive radiated signal to aid in visualization of tissue freezing and to respond to receipt of an external timing signal by generation of said responsive radiated signal so that said visualization of tissue freezing may be monitored if a signal strength of said incident radiated signal falls below a threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification