High output therapeutic ultrasound transducer
AssigneePharmasonics, Inc.
InventorsJohn McKenzie, Joseph Karratt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A therapeutic ultrasound delivery system, comprising: a catheter body; a plurality of axially spaced-apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body; a first spring connector wrapped around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers, the first spring connector exerting an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers; and a second connector disposed in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers.
Claims39
A therapeutic ultrasound delivery system, comprising:
- a catheter body;
- a plurality of axially spaced-apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body;
- an outer restraint disposed around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers, the outer restraint exerting an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers;
- and
- an inner connector disposed in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers.
A method of assembling a system for delivering vibrational energy to a patient, comprising:
- providing a catheter body;
- providing a plurality of axially spaced apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed along a length of the catheter body;
- connecting together the plurality of hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers within the catheter body by:
- wrapping a first spring connector around the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers wherein the first spring connector exerts an inward pre-stress on the outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers;
- and
- positioning a second spring connector in contact with the inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers.
A method for delivering vibrational energy to a patent, comprising:
- introducing a catheter having a plurality of axially spaced apart hollow cylindrical vibrational transducers disposed therealong into a patient, wherein an outer restraint is disposed in contact with outer surfaces of the vibrational transducers and exerts an inward pre-loading on the vibrational transducers, and wherein an inner connector is disposed in contact with inner surfaces of the vibrational transducers;
- and
- energizing the vibrational transducers to deliver vibrational energy to the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.