Echogenic medical device
OwnerStanley L. Millsinventor
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Abstract
Echogenic medical devices, methods of fabrication and methods of use are disclosed. The device can be adapted to be inserted into a patient. The echogenic construction can be incorporated into the device at the time of fabrication providing acoustic impedance different from that of the surrounding biological tissue or fluid. The medical device is designed for use with an ultrasound imaging system to provide real-time location of the insertion and guidance at the time the device is implanted in a patient, such as in brachytherapy. Following placement of the device the position can be evaluated over time to insure the device remains in proper aligmnent and functional. Furthermore, the device is designed to incorporate a spacer element at one or both ends to provide separation between radioactive elements.
Claims57
A medical device comprising:
- a parabolic surface defining a body chamber, the body chamber including polymer;
- and
- a radiosiotopic component inside the body chamber, the medical device having a proximal and a distal end, and the medical device being adapted for implantation into a live body.
A method of manufacturing an ultrasonically visible device, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) tube comprising a proximal and a distal end;
- (b) obtaining a LCP spacer element;
- (c) placing the spacer element in the proximal end of the LCP tube;
- (d) sealing the proximal end of the LCP tube containing the spacer element;
- and
- (e) sealing the distal end of the LCP tube, forming a body chamber, where the inner surface of the body chamber is a parabolic surface.
A method of manufacturing an ultrasonically visible device, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) tube comprising a proximal and a distal end;
- (b) sealing the proximal end of the LCP tube;
- (c) placing a radioisotopic component into the LCP tube;
- and
- (d) sealing the distal end of the LCP tube, forming a body chamber containing the radioisotopic component, where the surface of the body chamber is a parabolic surface.
The method of claim 48, where the heating is ultrasonic heating.
A method of monitoring implant position in a position in a partial comprising:
- (a) inserting a medical device into the patient, the device comprising a parabolic surface defining a body chamber and a radioisotope component incorporated into the device;
- (b) directing an ultrasonic beam at the implant position;
- (c) reflecting a signal from the ultrasonic beam off of the parabolic surface;
- (d) collecting the reflected ultrasonic signal;
- and
- (e) determining the location of the device in the patient from the reflected ultrasonic signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.