Forward-scanning ultrasound catheter probe
AssigneeDiasonics Ultrasound, Inc.
InventorsGregory Sharat Lin, Kenneth R. Erikson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A forward-scanning ultrasound catheter probe. An ultrasound catheter probe includes a forward-scanning transducer positioned at the tip of the probe. As such, the forward-scanning transducer may provide images of structures that may lie ahead of the tip of the probe. Furthermore, the forward-scanning transducer is repositioned by a drive mechanism coupled to the front-scanning transducer to provide a sector scan. In one embodiment, a bimorph piezoelectric drive is utilized to sweep the forward-scanning transducer across an arc to provide an imaging area associated with a sector scan.
Claims31
An ultrasound probe comprising:
- a distal end that defines a tip of said ultrasound probe;
- a forward-scanning transducer positioned at said tip of said ultrasound probe;
- a drive, coupled to said forward-scanning transducer, to sweep said forward-scanning transducer across a sector, said drive comprises a piezoelectric drive assembly;
- and
- a side-scanning transducer positioned behind said forward-scanning transducer, relative to said tip of said ultrasound probe.
An ultrasound catheter probe comprising:
- a distal end that defines a tip of said ultrasound catheter probe;
- a pivot, positioned substantially at said tip of said ultrasound catheter probe;
- a forward-scanning transducer, coupled to said pivot;
- a piezoelectric drive, coupled to said pivot;
- and
- a side-scanning transducer coupled to said forward-scanning transducer, relative to said tip of said ultrasound catheter probe.
A method for providing ultrasound images from an ultrasound catheter probe, said method comprising:
- providing a forward-scanning transducer at a tip of said ultrasound catheter probe;
- repositioning said forward-scanning transducer to generate sector image information, said forward-scanning transducer to generate said sector image information comprises a piezoelectric driving force to move said forward-scanning transducer;
- and
- generating another set of image information based on signals from a side-scanning transducer included in said ultrasound catheter probe.
An ultrasound probe for providing ultrasound image information, said ultrasound probe comprising:
- a first means for providing forward-scanning from a tip of said ultrasound probe;
- a second means for repositioning said first means for providing a sector scan;
- and
- a third means for side-scanning transducer positioned behind said first means forward-scanning t, relative to said tip of said ultrasound probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.