W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Jim H Polenske

Ryan C Patterson

Dennis Raymond Dietz

Clyde Gerald Oakley

Craig T Nordhausen

David J Messick

Daniel H Todd

Richard W Denny

Paul N Latulippe

Joseph A Huppenthal

John L Loewen

Michael J Fife

David W Wilson

Curtis J Franklin

Shawn D Quick

Thomas L Tolt

Paul A Bielewicz

An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of a catheter body. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The deflectable member may be interconnected to the catheter body by a live hinge. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter body to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter body. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter body and when pivoted relative to the catheter body.

Catheter

An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter and when pivoted relative to the catheter. When pivoted relative to the catheter, the ultrasound transducer array may have a field of view distal to the distal end of the catheter.

Catheter with deflectable imaging device and bendable electrical conductor

Catheter with deflectable imaging device

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Bellemont, AZ, United States of America

Jim H Polenske