Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110025172 | Ultrasound Imaging Transducer Acoustic Stack with Integral Electrical Connections - An ultrasound transducer that includes a backing layer, an insulating layer disposed on top of the backing layer, and a plurality of conductive traces disposed on top of the insulating layer are disclosed. Each of the conductive traces has an upper face. A plurality of transducer elements, each having (a) a core of piezoelectric material and (b) a conductive coating disposed beneath the core, are bonded directly to the upper face of a respective one of the plurality of conductive traces. Methods for fabricating ultrasound transducers are also disclosed. | 02-03-2011 |
20120259209 | ULTRASOUND GUIDED POSITIONING OF CARDIAC REPLACEMENT VALVES - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for positioning a valve or other device in a patient's body (e.g., in the patient's heart) using an ultrasound system in combination with position sensors. One position sensor is mounted in the ultrasound probe so that a geometric relationship between the position sensor and the ultrasound transducer is known, and another position sensor is mounted in the device installation apparatus so that a geometric relationship between the position sensor and the device is known. The device's position with respect to the imaging plane is determined based on the detected positions of the position sensors and the known geometric relationships. Images of the imaging plane are displayed, and an indication of the device's position with respect to the imaging plane is outputted. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259210 | ULTRASOUND GUIDED POSITIONING OF CARDIAC REPLACEMENT VALVES WITH 3D VISUALIZATION - A device (e.g., a valve) can be visualized in a patient's body (e.g., in the patient's heart) using an ultrasound system with added position sensors. One position sensor is mounted in the ultrasound probe, and another position sensor is mounted in the device installation apparatus. The device's position with respect to the imaging plane is determined based on the detected positions of the position sensors and known geometric relationships. A representation of the device and the imaging plane, as viewed from a first perspective, is displayed. The perspective is varied to a second perspective, and a representation of the device and the imaging plane, as viewed from the second perspective, is displayed. Displaying the device and the imaging plane from different perspectives helps the user visualize where the device is with respect to the relevant anatomy. | 10-11-2012 |
20130257226 | SIGNAL RETURN FOR ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS - A transducer useful for medical imaging ultrasonic transducers comprises a front impedance matching layer, a piezoelectric array, and a rear layer. The front impedance matching layer may include a return connection region electrically coupled to a distal end of the piezoelectric array and a front metal layer with a return signal portion for routing the return signal from the distal end of the transducer to a flex circuit of the rear layer at a proximal end of the transducer. In an embodiment, the rear layer may include a return connection region that is electrically coupled to the piezoelectric array at a distal end of the transducer and also electrically coupled to the signal return lines of a flex circuit at the distal end of the transducer. | 10-03-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080214939 | PROBE FOR TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH ERGONOMIC CONTROLS - A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. The proximal section also has a control bottom ergonomically arranged in relation to the actuator to allow actuation of the actuator and button with one hand. | 09-04-2008 |
20080298654 | TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING AT HIGH FRAME RATES - To keep the temperature of an ultrasound probe down, the probe is operated at a low frame rate (with correspondingly low heat generation) for the vast majority of time. Probe operation is only switched to the high frame rate temporarily at times when high temporal resolution is needed, preferably under operator control. The probe is only operated at the high frame rate for a short period of time, during which a burst of images with high temporal resolution is obtained. After capturing the short burst of images, the frame rate is cut back, which reduces the generation of heat. | 12-04-2008 |
20090118618 | CONNECTORIZED PROBE WITH SERIAL ENGAGEMENT MECHANISM - A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electrical interface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section. | 05-07-2009 |
20090118621 | TRANSESOPHAGEAL ULTRASOUND PROBE WITH AN ADAPTIVE BENDING SECTION - When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft. | 05-07-2009 |
20120089029 | Connectorized Probe for Transesophageal Echocardiography - A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electrical interface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section. | 04-12-2012 |
20120190988 | PROBE WITH AN ADAPTIVE BENDING SECTION - When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft. | 07-26-2012 |
20130068382 | Ultrasound Imaging Transducer Acoustic Stack with Integral Electrical Connections - An ultrasound transducer that includes a backing layer, an insulating layer disposed on top of the backing layer, and a plurality of conductive traces disposed on top of the insulating layer are disclosed. Each of the conductive traces has an upper face. A plurality of transducer elements, each having (a) a core of piezoelectric material and (b) a conductive coating disposed beneath the core, are bonded directly to the upper face of a respective one of the plurality of conductive traces. Methods for fabricating ultrasound transducers are also disclosed. | 03-21-2013 |
20140031675 | Ultrasound Guided Positioning of Cardiac Replacement Valves with 3D Visualization - A device (e.g., a valve) can be visualized in a patient's body (e.g., in the patient's heart) using an ultrasound system with added position sensors. One position sensor is mounted in the ultrasound probe, and another position sensor is mounted in the device installation apparatus. The device's position with respect to the imaging plane is determined based on the detected positions of the position sensors and known geometric relationships. A representation of the device and the imaging plane, as viewed from a first perspective, is displayed. The perspective is varied to a second perspective, and a representation of the device and the imaging plane, as viewed from the second perspective, is displayed. Displaying the device and the imaging plane from different perspectives helps the user visualize where the device is with respect to the relevant anatomy. | 01-30-2014 |
20140039307 | Ultrasound Guided Positioning of Cardiac Replacement Valves - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for positioning a valve or other device in a patient's body (e.g., in the patient's heart) using an ultrasound system in combination with position sensors. One position sensor is mounted in the ultrasound probe so that a geometric relationship between the position sensor and the ultrasound transducer is known, and another position sensor is mounted in the device installation apparatus so that a geometric relationship between the position sensor and the device is known. The device's position with respect to the imaging plane is determined based on the detected positions of the position sensors and the known geometric relationships. Images of the imaging plane are displayed, and an indication of the device's position with respect to the imaging plane is outputted. | 02-06-2014 |
20150018620 | INFLATABLE MEMBER FOR AN ENDOSCOPE SHEATH - Apparatus and methods for attaching and forming enclosed inflatable members on an endoscope assembly with a disposable sheath are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a flexible and resilient cuff member that is positioned on the outer surface of the disposable sheath and sealably and fixedly bonded to the sheath cover material at the cuff edges to form an annular space capable of being inflated. The inflatable member formed thereby is inflated through a lumen internal to the sheath that has an opening into the interior annular space. The inflatable member may be inflated to exert a longitudinal force on the insertion tube, thereby moving the endoscope assembly along a body passage. Alternately, a sheath may include a plurality of inflatable cuffs that may be inflated to create an isolated space therebetween within the body passage. | 01-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100022864 | SKIN PREPARATION DEVICE AND BIOPOTENTIAL SENSOR - The skin preparation device and sensor of the present invention include an array of rigid tines. The tines serve to “self-prepare” the skin at each electrode site. These tines, when pressed against the skin, penetrate the stratum corneum, thereby reducing skin impedance and improving signal quality. A self-prepping device of the present invention is an optimized array of short non-conductive rigid tines in which the individual tines are created in a geometry that allows for a sharp point at the tip when molding, machining or etching is used as a method of fabrication. This non-conductive array with rigid penetrating structures may, therefore, be used in combination with a conductive medium, preferably an ionic conductive gel. In penetrating the stratum corneum, micro-conduits are created in the layers of the skin enabling the conductive medium to reach the low impedance layers and to transmit bioelectrical signals from the skin to the electrode surface. Such a self-prepping device can be readily mass produced using molding methods or possibly other manufacturing methods, thereby providing for a low cost means of achieving improved performance of the biopotential sensor. Additionally this invention includes the integration of this self-prepping device into a biopotential sensor comprising an array of one or more electrodes. | 01-28-2010 |
20140296683 | SKIN PREPARATION DEVICE AND BIOPOTENTIAL SENSOR - The skin preparation device and sensor of the present invention include an array of rigid tines. The tines serve to “self-prepare” the skin at each electrode site. These tines, when pressed against the skin, penetrate the stratum corneum, thereby reducing skin impedance and improving signal quality. A self-prepping device of the present invention is an optimized array of short non-conductive rigid tines in which the individual tines are created in a geometry that allows for a sharp point at the tip when molding, machining or etching is used as a method of fabrication. This non-conductive array with rigid penetrating structures may, therefore, be used in combination with a conductive medium, preferably an ionic conductive gel. In penetrating the stratum corneum, micro-conduits are created in the layers of the skin enabling the conductive medium to reach the low impedance layers and to transmit bioelectrical signals from the skin to the electrode surface. Such a self-prepping device can be readily mass produced using molding methods or possibly other manufacturing methods, thereby providing for a low cost means of achieving improved performance of the biopotential sensor. Additionally this invention includes the integration of this self-prepping device into a biopotential sensor comprising an array of one or more electrodes. | 10-02-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120251790 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING SHARP FEATURES WITHIN A MOLD - The present disclosure describes systems and methods for creating sharp features within a mold. For example, three or more mold plates may be provided to create a single mold assembly. Each mold plate includes one or more mold cavities, each having one or more surfaces. The provided mold plates may be assembled to form the mold assembly having a combined mold cavity between adjacent mold cavities of the mold plates. Although none of the individual mold cavities of the mold plates include sharp features, when the mold assembly is assembled, a combined mold cavity will include sharp transitions (e.g., angles of less than 180 degrees, right angles, angles of less than 90 degrees, and so forth) between adjacent surfaces of the mold cavities. In certain embodiments, sets of mold plates may be re-aligned to create varying mold cavity geometries. In addition, in certain embodiments, a mold pin may be inserted into an inner volume of a mold plate to both create additional sharp transitions between adjacent surfaces. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253163 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING A SENSOR - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensor designs or shapes configured to facilitate placement of sensor electrodes and, thus, proper positioning of the sensors on patients. According to certain embodiments, a sensor may include a substrate that includes multiple electrodes, where a first electrode is configured to be placed on a patient's temple and a second electrode is configured to be placed on a patient's forehead directly above a patient's eyebrow. The sensor may include a particular shape and a fixed distance between the first and second electrodes to facilitate proper angling and positioning of the first and second electrodes as well as the other electrodes (e.g., third and fourth electrodes). Other embodiments may include a method for positioning the sensor on the patient, including a monitor with help screens. | 10-04-2012 |
20130023748 | DEVICE WITH ENCAPSULATED GEL - Apparatus and techniques are provided for interfacing a device with a surface. The apparatus and techniques provide gel encapsulation and isolation mechanisms to extend the shelf-life of the preparation devices, allow for the use of more effective materials, and improve the quality of the contact between a device and an application surface. Particular embodiments of these apparatus and techniques suitable for use in medical contexts are also provided. | 01-24-2013 |
20130023749 | FORCE REGULATING DEVICE APPLICATORS - Disclosed herein are apparatus and techniques for applying a device to a subject. Such apparatus and techniques may provide feedback to an operator and/or regulate the force used to apply the device, yielding an improved result. Particularly useful embodiments include apparatus and techniques for applying a medical device, such as a skin surface electrode or microneedle array, to a patient's tissue. | 01-24-2013 |