Acoustic imaging and doppler catheters and guidewires
AssigneeBoston Scientific Corporation
InventorRobert J. Crowley
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Abstract
The invention features an acoustic medical device for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit using a single-transducer. The device has an elongated device body, defining a device axis, constructed for positioning a distal end of the device body near a region of interest in the body fluid conduit. Disposed within the device body is an ultrasonic beam directing assembly that is constructed to direct a portion of ultrasonic energy from a single transducer in a direction for imaging within the body fluid conduit and to direct another portion of the ultrasonic energy in a direction for making Doppler measurements within the body fluid conduit.
Claims25
A medical device for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit using a single transducer, comprising:
- an elongated device body defining a device axis and constructed for positioning a distal end of said device body near a region of interest in said body fluid conduit, and disposed within said device body, an ultrasonic beam-directing assembly constructed to direct a first portion of a given beam of ultrasonic energy from said single transducer in a direction for imaging within said body fluid conduit and to direct a second portion of said given beam of said ultrasonic energy in a different direction for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit.
A method for making Doppler measurements and imaging within a body fluid conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
- introducing a medical device into a patient's body fluid conduit, said medical device including an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic beam-directing assembly near the distal end of said device;
- positioning said distal end near a region of interest within said body fluid conduit;
- directing ultrasonic energy from said transducer to said beam-directing assembly for directing a first portion of said energy in a first direction for imaging within said body fluid conduit and for simultaneously directing a second portion of said energy in a second, different direction for making Doppler measurements within said body fluid conduit;
- and
- receiving the reflected energy back containing the image and flow information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.