US 6,585,656 B2 · Catheter with multiple transducers

Abstract

A diagnostic and/or therapeutic catheter having a plurality of ultrasound transducers. In a first embodiment, the center frequencies of the second and third transducers may be substantially equal to a fundamental harmonic and a second harmonic, respectively, of ultrasound waves created by the first transducer. In second embodiment, the second transducer transmits waves with a center frequency substantially equal to the center frequency of the first transducer. In third embodiment, the second transducer has a center frequency that differs from the center frequency of the first transducer and the center frequency of the third transducer may be substantially equal to a difference between the fundamental harmonic of the ultrasound waves transmitted by the first transducer and a fundamental harmonic of ultrasound waves produced by the second transducer.

Claims72

Dependent claims

A medical device for a medical imaging system, the medical device comprising:

an elongate body adapted to be inserted into a patient's body;
a drive shaft being substantially within the elongate body and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion adapted to communicate with the medical imaging system;
a first imaging device adapted to transmit energy and has a center frequency, the first imaging device being mounted on or near the distal end portion of the drive shaft;
a second imaging device adapted to receive a reflection of the energy transmitted by the first imaging device, the second imaging device being mounted on or near the distal end portion of the drive shaft at a distance from the first imaging device and having a center frequency substantially equal to a fundamental harmonic of the energy transmitted by the first imaging device;
and
a third imaging device adapted to receive a reflection of the energy transmitted by the first imaging device, the third imaging device being mounted on or near the distal end portion of the drive shaft at a distance from the first imaging device and having a center frequency substantially equal to a second harmonic of the energy transmitted by the first imaging device.

3 more elements

A medical device for a medical imaging system, the medical device comprising:

a drive shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion adapted to communicate with the medical imaging system;
a first imaging device adapted to transmit energy and has a center frequency, the first imaging device being mounted on or near the distal end portion of the drive shaft;
and
a second imaging device adapted to transmit and receive energy, the second imaging device being mounted on or near the distal end portion of the drive shaft at a distance from the first imaging device and having a center frequency differing from the center frequency of the first imaging device, the energy transmitted by the second imaging device substantially converging with the energy transmitted by the first imaging device and forming a difference energy having a fundamental harmonic substantially equal to a difference between a fundamental harmonic of the energy transmitted by the first imaging device and a fundamental harmonic of the energy transmitted by the second imaging device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Catheter with multiple transducers

Life of this patent

Catheter with multiple transducers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims72