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US 9,173,637 B2Granted
Miniature forward-looking ultrasound imaging mechanism enabled by local shape memory alloy actuator
AssigneeVolcano Corporation
InventorsByong-Ho Park, Oren Levy
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a new forward-looking ultrasound device including a local actuator embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention includes an ultrasound transducer element configured to engage with the local actuator and rotate about an axis of rotation at least when the ultrasound transducer element and the local actuator are engaged. Also disclosed are methods of using the same.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- providing an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion;
- coupling a local actuator to the elongate body adjacent the distal end portion, the local actuator including:
- a first element that is fixedly secured to the elongate body when coupling the local actuator to the elongate body;
- a first shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator coupled to the first element, wherein the first SMA actuator is configured to switch between an activated state and a deactivated state;
- and
- a movable element coupled to the first SMA actuator, wherein the movable element is configured to move longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body between a first position and a second position in response to the first SMA actuator switching between the activated and deactivated states;
- and
- coupling an ultrasound transducer element to the elongate body adjacent to the local actuator such that the ultrasound transducer is configured to rotate between a primary position and a secondary position about an axis of rotation that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body;
- and
- wherein the movable element is configured to intermittently engage the ultrasound transducer element when moving between the first position and the second position so as to cause the ultrasound transducer element to rotate about the axis of rotation.
7 more elements
A method, comprising:
- providing an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion;
- coupling an actuator to the distal end portion of the elongate body, wherein coupling the actuator to the distal end portion includes:
- fixedly coupling a first element to the elongate body;
- fixedly coupling a second element to the elongate body at a position spaced from the first element;
- wherein a first shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is coupled to the first element, wherein the first SMA actuator is configured to switch between an activated state and a deactivated state;
- wherein a movable element is coupled to the first SMA actuator, the movable element configured to move longitudinally between a first position and a second position in response to the first SMA actuator switching between the activated and deactivated states;
- pivotally coupling an ultrasound transducer element to the elongate body adjacent to the actuator such that the ultrasound transducer is configured to rotate between a primary position and a secondary position about an axis of rotation that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body as a result of intermittent engagement with the movable element as the movable element moves between the first and second positions.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.