Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-05-08
Jaworski, Francis J. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S466000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228032
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducers.
Catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducers are known to the art, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,931 and 5,368,037. These catheter-mounted transducers are single use, disposable devices which provide a radial image format either by means of a radial phased array or a rotating crystal. These devices do not include any mechanism for steering or articulating the tip of the catheter. Because the catheter tip cannot be steered, it is in general not possible to position the transducer optimally to obtain different views of the tissue or structure being imaged.
Catheters other than ultrasonic imaging catheters currently exist which have articulating tips. One typical steering mechanism for such a catheter uses a knob which rotates about an axis perpendicular to the length of the catheter. As the user rotates the knob clockwise or counterclockwise, the tip of the catheter will articulate either up and down, or left and right. In addition to manipulating the catheter tip with the knob, the catheter is generally rotated within the vessel by rotating the control housing. Such rotation of the control housing causes the knob to rotate as well as the catheter, and can place the knob in an relatively inaccessible position for the user. Awkward positioning of the steering knob can make manipulating the catheter tip difficult.
Accisano U.S. Pat. No 5,571,085 and Fleischhackor U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,329 disclose control handles for steerable catheters which utilize a rotating collar to move a slide longitudinally in the catheter handle. Steering lines are connected to the slide such that reciprocation of the slide steers the distal tip of the catheter. This arrangement provides the advantage of a steering actuator which extends around the complete circumference of the handle and rotates about the longitudinal axis of the handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment described below is an ultrasonic transducer that includes an elongated catheter having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and an array of transducer elements carried by the catheter adjacent the distal end portion. This array comprises an azimuthal axis oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter adjacent the distal end portion. The catheter carries first and second sets of steering lines that are coupled to the catheter near the distal end portion. The first set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end portion in a first plane, and the second set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end portion in a second plane, different than the first plane.
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Eaton John W.
Marian Vaughn
Plugge Jay
Rosa David J.
Acuson Corporation
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Jaworski Francis J.
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