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:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 02, 2000
Kenneth R. Brennen, Fridley, MN (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
An improved system and method to provide visualization of implantable leads, catheters, or other implantable devices is disclosed. According to the invention, an unmodified guiding device such as a stylet or guidewire is frictionally coupled to a vibration device. This guiding device is further inserted into the device to be visualized. When activated, the vibration device transfers longitudinal waves to the guiding device, which, in turn, transfers the waves to the device that is to be visualized. These waves are detected by an imaging device, which then generates a Doppler image of the implantable device. According to one aspect of the invention, the vibration device includes a piezoelectric actuator. According to another aspect of the invention, the frequency of the waves that are transferred by the vibration device is selectable.