Acuson Corporation

Raychem Limited

John W Eaton

John Alexander Hossack

Thomas G Cooper

David Joseph Rosa

Randall L Schlesinger

Vaughn R Marian

Jay Sterling Plugge

Michael G Curley

Michael H Ikeda

John I Jackson

Ricardo G Espinosa

David V Adams

Charles W Brummer

Diana M Tasker

Cynthia C Becker

Robert Kevakian

Xavier L Pacheco

An ultrasonic transducer includes an elongated catheter that carries a phased linear array of ultrasonic transducer elements at a distal end. This array is aligned with the azimuthal axis of the array oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter near the distal end. Two sets of steering lines are carried by the catheter and coupled to the catheter near the distal end. The first set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end in a first plane, and the second set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end in a second plane, transverse to the first plane.

Steering mechanism and steering line for a catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducer

An ultrasonic probe that includes at least two ultrasonic arrays and allows three dimensional images to be constructed of the region examined by the probe in a precise and facile manner.

Ultrasonic probe, system and method for two-dimensional imaging or three-dimensional reconstruction

The preferred embodiments include a method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a catheter-mounted phased-array ultrasound transducer. The material used for the end portion can be altered to give the end portion focusing, defocusing, or non-focusing characteristics. In one preferred embodiment, a thermoplastic material is injection molded or insert molded around a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried at a distal end of a catheter. In another preferred embodiment, a thermoset material is used to form the end portion using a casting or transfer molding technique. In yet another preferred embodiment, the phased-array ultrasound transducer is placed into a pre-formed end portion. The pre-formed end portion can be adhesively-attached to the phased-array transducer and catheter. If the pre-formed end portion is made from a thermoplastic material, the end portion can be thermally melted to attach the end portion to the phased-array transducer and catheter.

Method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a catheter-mounted

Ultrasonic probe, system and method for two-dimensional imaging or

A steering mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis that extends generally parallel to the proximal end of a catheter. An annular steering ring is mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, and a steering hub is mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the steering ring such that rotation of the steering ring with respect to the housing causes rotation of the steering hub. A steering line is secured adjacent the steering hub and extends to the distal end of the catheter such that rotation of the steering hub alters the effective length of the steering line to steer the distal end. The steering line is preferably formed of a stranded polymer such as a gel spun polyethylene.

Steering mechanism and steering line for a catheter-mounted ultrasonic

An ultrasonic catheter having at least two ultrasonic arrays is provided which has good near and far field resolution and provides an outline of the heart chamber which assists in understanding and interpreting the images obtained by the catheter. Also the ultrasonic catheter allows three dimensional images to be constructed of the region examined by the catheter in a precise but facile manner.

Ultrasonic catheter, system and method for two dimensional imaging or

A phased-array ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a catheter. An end portion is mounted to the catheter around a transducer array, and the end portion defines an acoustic window which is essentially non-focusing to ultrasonic energy passing therethrough. Because the acoustic window is non-focusing, a relatively small radius of curvature can be used on the radially outer surface of this window.

Catheter-mounted, phased-array ultrasound transducer with improved

An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a conduit that defines a lumen, and the lumen carries a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit can take several forms. In one form the circuit is folded at first and second fold lines, and at least one of the folds is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis of conduit. In another form the flexible circuit includes an end portion that defines a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, each groove aligned with and exposing a respective one of the conductors of the circuit. Additional conductors are positioned in respective ones of the grooves and are electrically connected with the respective conductors of the flexible circuit.

Ultrasonic transducer assembly with extended flexible circuits

A phased array transducer for an ultrasonic imaging system includes a flexible support element which supports an array of piezoelectric transducer elements. Shape transducers such as strain gauges or capacitive transducers are coupled to the support element to generate a signal indicative of the instantaneously prevailing curvature of the array. A user-controlled actuator is coupled to the support element to flex the support element between at least first and second configurations, wherein the support element has separate curvatures along the axis of the transducer in each of the first and second configurations. In some applications the transducer elements are positioned for separate scan formats in the first and second configurations. The support element can be provided with first and second alternating regions which differ in flexibility, in order to concentrate flexing of the support element in the second regions. In some applications the support element may have a cross-sectional dimension of less than about ten millimeters to facilitate insertion of the transducer into a tortuous vessel of a living subject.

Flexible ultrasonic transducers and related systems

According to the present invention, an ultrasonic transducer probe is provided having an array of ultrasonic transducers rotatably mounted about an axis within the ultrasonic transducer probe, a lens mounted to the array, and a housing encasing the array and the lens. The lens is symmetric about the axis of rotation of the array. In addition, the housing has a continuous upper surface that is formed, in a region adjacent to the symmetric lens, to mate with the symmetric lens.

Ultrasonic transducer probe with axisymmetric lens

A drive system with a rotary stop for driving a rotatable load is provided having a motor, a rotary stop and a spring stop assembly for coupling the motor to the rotary stop. The spring stop assembly has a motor-driven gear coupled to a hub by a torsional spring. A position encoder may be attached to the motor. In addition, a drive shaft may be coupled to the motor and the multiturn rotary stop through the spring stop assembly.

Drive system with a multiturn rotary stop

A sealing device comprising a cap having a closed end and an open end and a retention member engaged with the cap at the open end of the cap. The retention member comprises a plurality of resilient projections which may be defined in the following manner. The projections are inclined away from the body of the retention member and toward the closed end of the cap at an angle alpha (.alpha.) with respect to the body wherein alpha is between about 90.degree. and 135.degree.. The projections have free inner ends defining a restricted opening. And the projections have, at their free inner ends, a chamfered surface facing away from the closed end of the cap which makes an angle theta (.theta.) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body wherein theta is between about 30.degree. and 50.degree..

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

John W Eaton