Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-29
2001-10-23
Casler, Brian L. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S459000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306094
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to instruments suitable for use in procedures involving ultrasound imaging and more particularly to such an instrument having a means capable of generating an enhanced reflected ultrasound signal.
Ultrasound imaging apparatus include a transducer operative to both emit and receive ultrasound energy. Such transducers are typically held against the skin of a patient and emits ultrasound energy thereinto. A portion of the emitted ultrasound energy is reflected back from body structures and is received by the transducer. Reflected ultrasound is converted into electrical signals which are then transmitted to a signal processor and then displayed on a monitor thereby to create a real-time video image of the body parts from which the ultrasound energy has been reflected.
Some medical procedures require one to obtain tissue samples for diagnosis. Typically, such samples are obtained by inserting a long biopsy needle, or the like, into the area of interest and observing the needle positioning via the video image of the needle and its surroundings. Such a needle includes a sharp tip which, in operation, cuts into the tissue under investigation.
Unfortunately, the above-mentioned medical procedures may be difficult to perform due to the poor sonar reflectivity of presently known instruments used during such procedures. One possible solution to this problem is presented in EP-A-624 341 in which there is described a medical instrument having an enhanced ultrasonic visibility. The instrument comprises a probe or needle for insertion into a patient and is provided at selected locations with deposits of a material comprising a matrix of gas bubbles constrained within a polymeric material. The bubbles exhibit a high degree of ultrasonic reflectivity and help enhance the ultrasonic image.
An alternative arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,997 in which an echogenic medical device for insertion into a patient is provided with a portion having an acoustic impedance different from that of the surrounding medium thereby to provide an enhanced ultrasonic image. The portion may, for example, be formed of partially spherical indentations or glass micro spheres. Again the highly reflective portion is provided at a critical position, such as the needle tip, so as to assist the operator in guiding the instrument.
Tests have shown that, in certain circumstances, the above-mentioned arrangements do not adequately improve the ultrasonic image available to the operator. Consequently, there still exists a requirement for an instrument for use during ultrasound imaging procedures which significantly enhances the ultrasonic image available to the operator. The present invention aims to meet this requirement by providing such an instrument with a means of creating a plurality of fine mobile gas bubbles adjacent said region. Such fine gas bubbles being mobile are easily detected by an ultrasound apparatus and significantly enhance the ultrasound image of the instrument. Mobility may be as a result of bubble migration or a change in size.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an instrument insertable into a medium and capable of being detected with sonic imaging equipment comprises:
an elongate member, for insertion into said medium and having a region the position of which it is desirable to monitor; and
bubble generating means, for generating a plurality of discrete mobile bubbles at said desired region, whereby said discrete mobile bubbles are detectable by sonic imaging equipment thereby to give an accurate indication of the position of said region.
In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of determining the position of an instrument including the steps of:
(a) inserting the instrument into a material;
(b) creating a plurality of discrete mobile bubbles at the desired region; and
(c) positioning an ultrasound transducer on a surface of the material and transmitting an ultrasonic signal in a direction substantially towards said instrument thereby to cause at least some of said signals to be reflected by said bubbles and collecting said reflected signal in said transducer;
(d) converting the reflected ultrasound signal into an electrical signal suitable for creating a display on a video monitor; and
(e) displaying a video image from said signal, thereby to provide a visual representation of the position of said instrument.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4407294 (1983-10-01), Vilkomerson
patent: 4582061 (1986-04-01), Fry
patent: 5081997 (1992-01-01), Bosley, Jr. et al.
patent: 5127945 (1992-07-01), Miller
patent: 5373845 (1994-12-01), Gardineer et al.
patent: 5536489 (1996-07-01), Lohrmann et al.
patent: 5782764 (1998-07-01), Werne
patent: 5795562 (1998-08-01), Klaveness et al.
patent: 6047218 (2000-04-01), Whayne et al.
patent: 0 624 342 A1 (1994-11-01), None
patent: 93/00930 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 94/03110 (1994-02-01), None
patent: 94/21302 (1994-09-01), None
Miller, J.E., Derwent Acc. No. 92-249311/30, “Effervescent tablet for use . . . ”.
USP Abstract No. 4805628, Fry et al, “Ultrasound contrast media . . . ,” (1989).
USP Abstract No. 5490521, Davis et al, “Ultrasound biopsy needle” (1996).
USP Abstract No. 4,869259, Elkins, D.J., Echogenically enhanced surgical . . . ) (1989).
BTG International Limited
Casler Brian L.
Nixon & Vanderhye
Patel Maulin
LandOfFree
Instrument having enhanced ultrasound visibility does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Instrument having enhanced ultrasound visibility, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Instrument having enhanced ultrasound visibility will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2575718