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:
Jul. 10, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 24, 1999
Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia, Irvine, CA (US);
Hosheng Tu, Tustin, CA (US);
Irvine Biomedical, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
An improved catheter system having intravascular ultrasound locating capabilities comprising a locator catheter and an ultrasound receiver catheter resulting in an effective electrophysiology procedure without undesired side effects of using a conventional x-ray imaging system. Said catheter system comprising a locator catheter, a reference catheter and a data acquisition computer; the locator catheter comprises at least one electrode at its distal tip section and an ultrasound crystal secured on the catheter shaft proximal to the distal end. The reference catheter comprises at least three ultrasound crystal beacons, a first ultrasound crystal beacon of said at least three ultrasound crystal beacons being located at the distal end of the reference catheter and being spaced apart from the remaining ultrasound crystal beacons, wherein the first ultrasound crystal beacon is adapted to be inserted into a vascular vessel, the reference catheter having pre-determined locations with reference to an external locating calibration system, wherein said ultrasound beacons can emit and receive ultrasound signals.