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:
Sep. 05, 1995
Filed:
Oct. 04, 1993
Timothy C Mills, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Henry Nita, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, IL (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for driving an ultrasound transducer coupled to an ultrasound transmission disposed within an elongate catheter has a modulated output and utilizes feedback control. A modulating signal varying in amplitude and continuous in duration modulates an ultrasound transducer drive signal. The resulting modulated ultrasound transducer drive signal is likewise continuous in duration such that it lacks the abrupt accelerations which cause stress to be applied to the ultrasound transmission member in prior art devices. The current of the modulated drive signal is monitored and the voltage thereof is varied in response to changes in the current in order to provide feedback control. A transmission member breakage alarm provides an indication of transmission member breakage in the event that any comparison of the drive energy to the feedback control signal indicates that the desired ultrasonic vibration has been reached at a drive energy level less than the minimum drive energy level typically desired for such desired ultrasound vibration when the ultrasound transmission member is intact.