Connector for securing ultrasound catheter to transducer

• US 8,641,630 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2010
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• 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): Cwern, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US12/831,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20100280389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600437-461, 604/19, 604/20
• US Class Current: 600/466
• 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. An ultrasound system, comprising:

an ultrasound transducer housing containing

a transducer horn that is connected to a signal generator and has a distal end;

a transducer mechanism comprising a slide collar disposed around an inner ring wherein the transducer mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position wherein the second position is distal from the first position and wherein movement of the transducer mechanism from the first position to the second position engages a control ring on a catheter and moves a catheter mechanism from a first position to a second position;

and

the catheter having;

an elongated flexible body,

a proximal end,

a distal end,

a knob having a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the elongated flexible body extends from the distal end of the knob,

the control ring disposed around the proximal end of the knob,

a nesting piece disposed within the knob near the proximal end of the knob and operatively coupled to the control ring,

at least one longitudinal lumen,

an ultrasound transmission member, having a proximal end, extending through the lumen,

a sonic connector that is secured to the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member and disposed within the nesting piece;

and

the catheter mechanism comprising the control ring and the nesting piece that is movable from the first position that engages the nesting piece around the sonic connector restraining the sonic connector and substantially preventing the transmission of ultrasound energy and a second position that disengages the nesting piece from the sonic connector, permitting the transmission of ultrasound energy from the transducer horn to the ultrasound transmission member;

wherein the transducer housing operatively couples to the proximal end of the catheter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the catheter mechanism has a longitudinal interface.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the catheter mechanism has a transverse interface.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sonic connector and the transducer horn have a threaded connection.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sonic connector and the transducer horn have a frictional connection.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the catheter mechanism freely overlaps the sonic connector.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the catheter mechanism comprises removable components.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the catheter mechanism comprises fixed and removable components.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the catheter mechanism is movable in a direction parallel to the ultrasound transmission member.

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

providing an ultrasound system having;

an ultrasound transducer housing containing

a transducer horn that is connected to a signal generator and has a distal end;

a transducer mechanism comprising a slide collar disposed around an inner ring wherein the transducer mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position wherein the second position is distal from the first position and wherein movement of the transducer mechanism from the first position to the second position engages a control ring on a catheter and moves a catheter mechanism from a first position to a second position;

and

the catheter having;

an elongated flexible body,

a proximal end,

a distal end,

a knob having a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the elongated flexible body extends from the distal end of the knob,

the control ring disposed around the proximal end of the knob,

a nesting piece disposed within the knob near the proximal end of the knob and operatively coupled to the control ring,

at least one longitudinal lumen,

an ultrasound transmission member, having a proximal end, extending through the lumen,

a sonic connector that is secured to the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member and disposed within the nesting piece;

and

the catheter mechanism comprising the control ring and the nesting piece that is movable from the first position that engages the nesting piece around the sonic connector restraining the sonic connector and substantially preventing the transmission of ultrasound energy and a second position that disengages the nesting piece from the sonic connector, permitting the transmission of ultrasound energy from the transducer horn to the ultrasound transmission member;

and

operatively coupling the transducer housing to the proximal end of the catheter using the transducer and catheter mechanisms.