Ultrasonic instrument with a micro motor

A method for examining a blood vessel using a disposable intra-luminal ultrasonic instrument including a catheter having an elongate axis and a hollow distal end portion, said method comprising the steps of:

• mounting, for rotation in the distal end portion of the catheter, an acoustical mirror face;
• positioning said acoustical mirror face at an angle to the elongate axis of the catheter;
• mounting a transducer in the distal end portion of the catheter in a position to propagate acoustic waves toward the acoustical mirror face;
• constructing a micromotor having a length no greater than approximately 6 millimeters and a diameter no greater than approximately 2.4 millimeters;
• mounting the micromotor in the distal end portion of the catheter;
• connecting the micromotor to the acoustical mirror face;
• and,
• energizing the micromotor to rotate the acoustical mirror face while at the same time energizing the transducer to produce and supply sound waves to the rotating acoustical mirror face.

A disposable intra-luminal ultrasonic instrument comprising:

• a catheter having an elongate axis and a hollow distal end portion;
• an acoustical mirror face;
• means for mounting said acoustical mirror face for rotation in said distal end portion of the catheter with said acoustical mirror face arranged at an angle to said elongate axis of the catheter;
• a transducer;
• means for mounting said transducer in said distal end portion of said catheter in a position to propagate acoustic waves toward said catheter in a position to propagate acoustic waves toward said acoustical mirror face;
• a micromotor having a length no greater than approximately 6 millimeters and a diameter no greater than approximately 2.4 millimeters;
• means for mounting said micromotor in said distal end portion of said catheter;
• means for connecting said micromotor to said acoustical mirror face;
• means for connecting said micromotor to a source of energy for energizing said micromotor to rotate said acoustical mirror face;
• and,
• means for connecting said transducer to a source of energy for energizing said transducer to produce and supply sound waves to said rotatable acoustical mirror face.

A method for examining a blood vessel using a disposable intra-luminal ultrasonic instrument comprising an elongate body having an elongate axis and including a hollow distal end portion, said method comprising the steps of:

• mounting, for rotation in the distal end portion of the elongate body, an acoustical mirror face;
• positioning said acoustical mirror face at an angle to the elongate axis of the elongate body;
• mounting a transducer in the distal end portion of the elongate body in a position to propagate acoustic waves toward the acoustical mirror face;
• constructing a micromotor having a length no greater than approximately 6 millimeters and a diameter no greater than approximately 2.4 millimeters;
• mounting the micromotor in the distal end portion of the elongate body;
• connecting the micromotor to the acoustical mirror face;
• and, energizing the micromotor to rotate the acoustical mirror face while at the same time energizing the transducer to produce and supply sound waves to the rotating acoustical mirror face.

A disposable intra-luminal ultrasonic instrument comprising:

• a elongate body having an elongate axis and including a hollow distal end portion;
• an acoustical mirror face;
• means for mounting said acoustical mirror face for rotation in said distal end portion of said elongate body with said acoustical mirror face arranged at an angle to said elongate axis of said elongate body;
• a transducer;
• means for mounting said transducer in said distal end portion of said elongate body in a position to propagate acoustic waves toward said acoustical mirror face;
• a micromotor having a length no greater than approximately 6 millimeters and a diameter no greater than approximately 2.4 millimeters;
• means for mounting said micromotor in said distal end portion of said elongate body;
• means for connecting said micromotor to said acoustical mirror face;
• means for connecting said micromotor to a source of energy for energizing said micromotor to rotate said acoustical mirror face;
• and,
• means for connecting said transducer to a source of energy for energizing said transducer to produce and supply sound waves to said rotatable acoustical mirror face.