×

Device and method for embolus detection

  • US 6,425,866 B1
  • Filed: 01/29/2000
  • Issued: 07/30/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A device for embolus detection by means of ultrasonic signals which are reflected at a flow of fluid in a body, comprising:

  • an ultrasonic unit which is adapted for periodically producing ultrasonic monitoring signals for a suitably designed ultrasonic transmitting device and for receiving a first signal reflected at a first position corresponding to the flow of fluid in a vessel;

    a signal evaluation unit which is connected downstream of the ultrasonic unit for preparing and visually and/or acoustically providing the reflected first signal;

    a detector unit which co-operates with the signal evaluation unit and which is adapted to detect an embolus in the flow of fluid and to output a detection signal as a reaction thereto;

    wherein the ultrasonic unit is designed for additionally receiving a second signal from the ultrasonic transmitting device, which is reflected at a second position in the body that lies outside the vessel and the flow fluid; and

    the detector unit is designed to detect an embolus as a reaction to the first and the second signal in such a way that output of the detection signal occurs only if a characteristic signal change, corresponding to a possible embolus, in one of the first and second signals occurs outside a minimum time interval from a signal change in the respective other signal, or the characteristic signal change occurs in only one of the signals.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×