Connector for securing ultrasound catheter to transducer

• US 7,758,510 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flowcardia Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Flowcardia Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Nita, Henry, Tran, Martinos
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shahrestani; Nasir
• Application Number:
  US11/192,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: 600407-480, 600/300, 604/19, 604/20
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory

Abstract

An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer having a transducer housing and a horn provided at the distal end of the transducer housing, an ultrasound transmission member, a sonic connector that is connected to the horn and the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member, and a catheter knob having a proximal end that is coupled to the distal end of the transducer housing. The catheter knob has a proximal bore that houses the sonic connector. The system also includes a nesting piece that is retained inside the proximal bore of the catheter knob. The nesting piece can be moved from a first position where the sonic connector is received inside the nesting piece to a second position where the sonic connector is separated from the nesting piece when ultrasound energy is being propagated through the ultrasound transmission member.

Claims

1. A method of using an ultrasound system during a medical procedure, comprising:

a. providing an ultrasound system having;

an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;

an ultrasound transmission member extending through the lumen of the catheter body, the ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end;

an ultrasound transducer having a transducer horn;

a sonic connector that is directly connected to the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member and attached the transducer horn; and

a mechanism that is moveable with respect to the sonic connector; and

b. moving the mechanism from a first position where the sonic connector is attached to the transducer horn, to a second position where ultrasound energy is being propagated through the ultrasound transmission member;

wherein the mechanism immediately surrounds the sonic connector when the mechanism is in the first position, and the mechanism is spaced-apart from, and does not surround, the sonic connector when the mechanism is in the second position to minimize energy loss during ultrasound energy propagation.