Ultrasound catheter with utility lumen
AssigneeEkos Corporation
InventorsFrederick J. Bennett, John Zhang, Gary Lichttenegger, James E. Rodriguey, Katsuro Tachibana
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Abstract
The invention relates to a catheter system. The system comprises a catheter body having a chamber containing a low acoustic impedance medium. The catheter body includes an elongated body with an external surface and an ultrasound transducer having an external side between a first end and a second end. The ultrasound transducer is positioned over the external surface of the elongated body such that the first end is adjacent to the chamber.
Claims63
An catheter system, comprising:
- a catheter body having a chamber containing a low acoustic impedance medium, the catheter body including
- an elongated body with an external surface and
- an ultrasound transducer having an external side between a first end and a second end, the ultrasound transducer positioned over the external surface of the elongated body such that the first end is adjacent to the chamber.
A method for forming a catheter, comprising:
- positioning an ultrasound transducer over an external surface of an elongated body;
- positioning a collar over the exterior surface of the elongated body such that at least a portion of the collar is spaced apart from the ultrasound transducer;
- and
- positioning a transducer sheath over at least a portion of the ultrasound transducer and over at least a portion of the collar to form a chamber between the ultrasound transducer and the collar.
A method for forming a catheter, comprising:
- positioning a first spacer over an external surface of an elongated body;
- positioning a member over at least a portion of the first spacer;
- and
- positioning an ultrasound transducer over the member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.