The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 13, 1995
Filed:
Apr. 25, 1994
Sorin Adrian, Penn Valley, PA (US);
Peter A Lewin, Wyndmoor, PA (US);
Sorin Siegler, Merion, PA (US);
Paul Walinsky, Wyndmoor, PA (US);
Richard C Hayes, Penn Valley, PA (US);
Medelex, Inc., Penn Valley, PA (US);
Abstract
An acoustic catheter reduces transmission losses and unwanted heating of the transmission member by driving the catheter a rotary motor. The catheter includes an elongated body and a shaft extending longitudinally therethrough. The shaft is adapted for coupling to a rotary motor. A rotary-to-axial motion converter is coupled to the shaft at distal end of the catheter, for converting rotary shaft motion into axial acoustic motion. In one embodiment, the rotary-to-axial motion converter includes a swash plate driven by the shaft. The swash plate defines a surface which, at an angularly fixed reference point, moves axially in response to the rotary motion of the swash plate. A follower bears on the swash plate, for moving axially in response to axial motion of the follower. The follower includes a projection bearing on the swash plate and a spring urging the follower toward the swash plate. In one embodiment, the swash plate has a sinusoidal surface, while another embodiment has notches cut into the surface. The follower generates acoustic energy within a fluid medium, and may have a concave fluid coupling surface. To aspirate the material removed from arterial walls, one or more lumens extend through the catheter. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rotary shaft is hollow, in order to allow a guide wire to pass therethrough.