Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Hewlett-packard Company

Other

Rodney J Solomon

Bernard Joseph Savord

Benjamin M Herrick

Karl E Thiele

Martin K Mason

George Adleman

Wojtek Sudol

David G Miller

Michael Peszynski

Roger Dugas

William J Ossmann

Robert W King

Francis E Gurrie

Gregory G Vogel

Walter Patrick Kelly, Jr

James T Fearnside

Alec Rooney

Susan Williams

Hubert K Yeung

George Gruner

An ultrasound-imaging system and method is provided that permits an operator to acquire an image of a volume-of-interest in a time critical fashion, that is capable of referencing the volume rendering to a standard two-dimensional imaging mode, and permits the operator to selectively choose a number of display-mode parameters that result in an operator directed view of the volume-of-interest. The ultrasound-imaging system comprises an input device configured to receive a plurality of imaging parameters and a controller in communication with the input device. The ultrasound-imaging system generates an operator-directed transmit-beam scan sequence in response to the imaging parameters and transmits a spatially modified transmit-beam scan sequence over a portion of the volume-scan range of the ultrasound-imaging system. Moreover, the ultrasound-imaging system provides the flexibility for an operator to direct a plurality of operator-configurable multi-dimensional views.

Ultrasound-imaging systems and methods for a user-guided three-dimensional volume-scan sequence

A two-dimensional ultrasound phased array transducer includes an acoustic backing, a first circuit, which may be a flexible circuit disposed over the acoustic backing or a ground plane, an acoustically absorptive interface layer disposed over the flexible circuit, and a piezoelectric layer disposed over the interface layer. A matching layer may be disposed over the piezoelectric layer, and a second circuit, which may be a ground plane or a flexible circuit, may be disposed over the matching layer. The piezoelectric layer and the matching layer are diced by forming kerfs extending through these layers and at least partially into the interface layer. Extending the kerfs into the interface layer reduces cross-talk between elements, electrically isolates the elements, and facilitates manufacturing by reducing the precision required in controlling the depth of the cut. The acoustically absorptive interface layer may have acoustic properties similar to the backing material and may be formed of the same material as the backing material. Electrical interconnection between the piezoelectric elements and the first circuit is provided through the interface layer. The electrical connection may be formed by laser drilled vias in the interface layer, coated with gold or another suitable material.

Two-dimensional ultrasound phased array transducer

A method and apparatus are provided for enabling battery packs of different sizes to be used with an ultrasound device. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an ultrasound device having a battery pack installment apparatus configured to be capable of being coupled with battery packs of different sizes. The method comprises the step of providing the ultrasound device with a battery pack installment apparatus that is configured to couple with battery packs of different sizes.

Method and apparatus for enabling the battery pack size of an ultrasound device to be independent of the physical design of the ultrasound device

An acoustic backing element includes a glass fiber epoxy composite planar substrate to the outer major surfaces of which are applied electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may be a conductive layer that is etched to expose electrical contact material in the form of conductive traces. Each conductive trace provides electrical connection between a transducer element and electrical control circuitry typically located on an electrical circuit board. The acoustic backing element provides precisely located electrical contacts for connecting the transducer elements to their control circuitry, while simultaneously providing superior acoustic attenuation. In addition, the thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) of the glass fiber epoxy composite material comprising the planar substrate can be closely matched to the TCE of the electrical contact material. In this manner, fatigue and failure caused by mechanical stresses between the planar substrate and the electrical contact material due to temperature extremes and temperature cycling are significantly reduced.

Ultrasonic transducer backing assembly and methods for making same

An ultrasonic transducer probe uses one or more ribbon cables to attach the transducer elements to the probe wiring. Electrical conductors within a first ribbon cable attach to corresponding lands on an end of an integrated circuit and, electrical conductors within additional ribbon cables attach to corresponding lands on circuit boards. The circuit boards distribute the electrical signals from the attached ribbon cables to additional lands on another end of the integrated circuit.

Ultrasonic probe using ribbon cable attachment system

A clamp for a tube having particular application to a nose trumpet for use with a transnasal TEE probe. The clamp includes a generally circular band for encircling the tube and a tongue disposed on one end of the band and a pair of jaws disposed on the other end. The tongue is adapted to penetrate the space between the pair of jaws. Teeth disposed on the upper surface of the tongue are adapted to mesh with teeth disposed on the lower surface of the upper jaw to prevent withdrawal of the tongue. A pair of handles extend outwardly away from the interior of the band and are adapted to be pushed toward one another to cause penetration of the tongue and into the jaws. An arm hinged to the band is affixed to the upper jaw and upon pivoting of the arm, the upper jaw is lifted away from the tongue to disengage the teeth.

Easily releasable clamp

A two-dimensional phased array ultrasound transducer comprises a transducer housing, a sensor mounted within the housing, and a convex environmental barrier for placement against, and maximizing contact with, a patient's body. The environmental barrier does not necessarily provide any focusing capability, therefore the propagation velocity of sound through the environmental barrier is approximately equal to the propagation velocity of sound through tissue of the patient's body.

Two-dimensional phased array ultrasound transducer with a convex environmental barrier

A plurality of applications for a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) including an improved MUT array containing optimized transmit MUT elements and optimized receive MUT elements, a MUT array in which staggered MUT elements increase the sensitivity of the array, and a MUT array for multiple plane scanning.

Micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array

A catheter apparatus having a main catheter body with an ultrasound transducer mounted into a side of the catheter body proximate to its distal end providing a field of view from the side of the catheter. Mounted axially on the same side of the catheter body is a independently-controllable treatment structure having a deployable segment with a therapeutic segment proximate with its distal end and having a range of movement along a predetermined path including locations only within the imaging field. The location of the treatment structure's therapeutic segment is determinable relative to the ultrasound transducer, enabling accurate and repeated positioning of the therapeutic segment at a desired location within the imaging field where it can be imaged clearly. The treatment structure bends only at the deployable segment, which includes deflection bands connected to an articulation mechanism in a handle. The deflection bands restrict the deployable segment deflections to cause the therapeutic segment of the treatment structure to travel along a predetermined path to locations that necessarily include locations within the imaging field.

Ultrasound imaging catheter having an independently-controllable

An ultrasound catheter including a flexible, torsionally-rigid elongate transducer cable having proximal and distal ends, with a transducer housing fixably connected proximate to the distal end. An ultrasound transducer, having a substantially planar surface and a scan plane substantially perpendicular to the planar surface, is fixably connected to a first side of the transducer housing to provide a predetermined two-dimensional cross-sectional image corresponding to an angular position of the ultrasound transducer. The transducer generates a series of successive two-dimensional cross-sectional images. In one embodiment, the ultrasound transducer is a linear array transducer which produces a substantially rectangular scan plane. A guide wire sleeve which is fixably connected to a second side of the housing substantially opposing the first side, causes the transducer to follow a predetermined rotational path around the guide wire when a torque is applied to the proximal end of the transducer cable. The guide wire sleeve is preferably configured to insure that the planar surface of the ultrasound transducer is maintained in substantial parallel relationship with the guide wire positioned within the sleeve. An ultrasound imaging system comprising the ultrasound catheter also includes a positioning system coupled to the proximal end of the transducer cable. The positioning system applies a torque to the proximal end of the cable to rotate the array about an axis defined by the guide wire channel. A controller rotates the array between successive image scans and forms a three-dimensional image using the plurality of two-dimensional cross-sectional images generated by the array.

Rotatable ultrasound imaging catheter

In the present invention, an easily assembled, reliable bending neck is formed for use with invasive medical devices. The bending neck comprises a series of pivotally hinged segments, each having a central lumen. The segments are positioned end-to-end, while the lumens collectively provide a shaft to accommodate delicate interconnections to a head assembly attached to the bending neck. Separate from the lumen are channels formed in each segment. The channels, combined from each segment, run the length of the bending neck and are aligned to accommodate cables used to articulate the bending neck. The separation of the lumen from the channels isolates the delicate interconnections from the motion of the cables as the bending neck is articulated. The cables and the separated lumen and channels form a bending neck having high reliability, that is easy to assemble, for use with invasive medical devices. In a one embodiment of the present invention, a bending neck has a pair of cables and its articulation is limited to lateral directions. In an alternate embodiment, the bending neck has three cables and is articulable in combinations of the lateral and vertical directions. The present invention includes an assembly method for the bending neck.

Bending neck for use with invasive medical devices

An ultrasound transducer assembly includes an ultrasound transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasound energy and one or more interface elements for conducting transmitted ultrasound energy from the transducer to a patient's body and for conducting received ultrasound energy from the patient's body to the transducer. At least one ultrasound-transmissive interface element is fabricated of a polymeric material. The material preferably has a sound speed that approximately matches the speed of sound in human tissue. The material comprises at least one primary rigid component material and at least one secondary component material, and has a Shore D durometer hardness value of greater than about 60D, and a sound speed of between about 1,450 meters/second and about 1,700 meters/second. The ultrasound-transmissive element fabricated of a polymeric material can be a protective lens cover, an ultrasound lens or lens element, an ultrasound-transmissive window or a sound pipe.

Interface element for medical ultrasound transducer

An endoscope ultrasound probe for use with an ultrasound imaging system in transesophageal echo cardiography comprises a motorized positioning system which provides for automated control of an ultrasound transducer array. The positioning system employs an electric motor for rotating the array which is positioned in the distal end of the probe. A switch mechanism may be manipulated to provide power to actuate the motor. The motor is mechanically coupled to the array providing the capability to rotate the array to any angular position to provide a plurality of scan planes for obtaining a plurality of corresponding two-dimensional cross-sectional images. Further, the positioning system may comprise a position feedback mechanism coupled to the array for providing remote imaging system electronics with array position indications corresponding to each of a plurality of corresponding two-dimensional cross-sectional images. Also, the positioning system may be electronically controlled by a controller in the imaging system for providing three-dimensional images of a subject.

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Andover, MA, United States of America

Rodney J Solomon