Echogenic needle catheter configured to produce an improved ultrasound image
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An echogenic needle catheter, comprising:
- a) an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen;
b) a spherical distal tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft, having an outer surface with a circumference angle substantially greater than 180 degrees, having a rigid outer diameter wall with a curved outer surface formed at least in part of a rigid polymeric material, and having a lumen in communication with a proximal section of the needle lumen of the shaft and with a port at a distal end of the spherical distal tip, wherein the spherical distal tip is formed at least in part of an electrically conductive material, and the spherical distal tip is in continuous contact with the lumen;
c) a needle in the needle lumen of the shaft, which extends distally from the spherical distal tip port in an extended configuration, and which has a lumen; and
d) a conductor electrically connected to the spherical distal tip and extending through the shaft to the proximal end, so that the spherical distal tip is an electrode, the conductor including an elongated deflection member with a distal end secured to the shaft, configured for deflecting a distal section of the catheter shaft.
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Abstract
An echogenic medical device, such as a needle catheter, which produces an improved ultrasonic image of the device, and a method of performing a medical procedure using a device of the invention. One aspect is directed to a catheter which reduces artifacts in the ultrasound image of the catheter. In one embodiment, the catheter has a spherical distal tip. Another aspect of the invention is directed to an echogenic catheter with echogenic portions arranged in an array to facilitate determination by ultrasonic imaging of the rotational orientation of the catheter relative to a desired location within the patient.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An echogenic needle catheter, comprising:
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a) an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen; b) a spherical distal tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft, having an outer surface with a circumference angle substantially greater than 180 degrees, having a rigid outer diameter wall with a curved outer surface formed at least in part of a rigid polymeric material, and having a lumen in communication with a proximal section of the needle lumen of the shaft and with a port at a distal end of the spherical distal tip, wherein the spherical distal tip is formed at least in part of an electrically conductive material, and the spherical distal tip is in continuous contact with the lumen; c) a needle in the needle lumen of the shaft, which extends distally from the spherical distal tip port in an extended configuration, and which has a lumen; and d) a conductor electrically connected to the spherical distal tip and extending through the shaft to the proximal end, so that the spherical distal tip is an electrode, the conductor including an elongated deflection member with a distal end secured to the shaft, configured for deflecting a distal section of the catheter shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20)
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15. An echogenic needle catheter, comprising:
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a) an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen; b) a spherical distal tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft, having an outer surface with a circumference angle substantially greater than 180 degrees, and having a lumen in communication with a proximal section of the needle lumen of the shaft and with a port at a distal end of the spherical distal tip, wherein the spherical distal tip is formed at least in part of an electrically conductive material, and the spherical distal tip is in continuous contact with the lumen; c) a needle in the needle lumen of the shaft, which extends distally from the spherical distal tip port in an extended configuration, and which has a lumen; d) a conductor electrically connected to the spherical distal tip, so that the spherical distal tip is an electrode; and e) a second electrode on a proximal shaft section, wherein the shaft comprises a proximal shaft section having a braided or coiled metal support layer, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the braided or coiled metal support layer.
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17. An echogenic needle catheter, comprising:
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a) an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen; b) a spherical distal tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft, having a lumen in communication with a proximal section of the needle lumen of the shaft and with a port at a distal end of the spherical distal tip, a rigid outer diameter wall with a curved outer surface formed at least in part of a rigid polymeric material, and a high strength support member which is within the spherical distal tip and extending proximally therefrom and which has a proximal end section secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the spherical distal tip has a spherical distal portion with a rigid outer surface having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the support member and a conical tip support proximal portion with an outer surface tapering distally towards the spherical distal portion, wherein the spherical distal tip is formed at least in part of an electrically conductive material, and the spherical distal tip is in continuous contact with the lumen; and c) a needle in the needle lumen, which extends distally from the spherical distal tip port in an extended configuration, and which has a lumen. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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21. An echogenic medical device, comprising:
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a) a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen; b) a spherical distal tip at the distal end of the shaft, having an outer surface with a circumference angle substantially greater than 180 degrees, having a rigid outer diameter wall with a curved outer surface formed at least in part of a rigid polymeric material, and having a lumen in communication with a proximal section of the lumen of the shaft and with a port at a distal end of the spherical distal tip, wherein the spherical distal tip is formed at least in part of an electrically conductive material, and the spherical distal tip is in continuous contact with the lumen; and c) a conductor electrically connected to the spherical distal tip and extending through the shaft to the proximal end, so that the spherical distal tip is an electrode, the conductor including an elongated deflection member with a distal end secured to the shaft, configured for deflecting a distal section of the catheter shaft. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification