Probe tip ultrasonic transducers and method of manufacture

Abstract

This patent describes the use of an ultrasonic imaging system to locate a calculus, the use of a needle system to deliver chemicals that dissolve the calculus, and the use of an ultrasonic therapeutic beam to insonify the calculus to enhance the dissolution of the calculus.mRCW 4,911,172 43.80.These transducers are comprised of a thin piezoelectric polymer film formed on a spiral ring and adhesively mounted on a support structure near the tip of a catheter. Electrical connection between the back face of the film and the support structure's negative electrode is via capacitive coupling. Connection to the front face of the film is made by a wire connected to the positive electrode of the catheter. A variation is formed by coating the tip of a catheter with a solution of PVDF.NRCW 4,913,159 43.80.Vj METHOD FOR DETERMINING BLOOD FLOW THROUGH A NARROWED ORIFICE USING COLOR DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY Julius M. Gardin et aL, assignors to Hitachi Medical Corporation and the University of California 3 April 1990 (Class 128/661.1); filed 17 March 1989 This method employs color Doppler images that contain two-color interfaces at locations where the flow velocity is equal to the aliasing velocity of the system. Distances from the two-color interfaces to the center of the orifice are used to calculate the volume flow rate through the orifice.N RCW 4,917,096 43.80.Vj PORTABLE ULTRASONIC PROBE Theodore M. Englehart, Richard F. Morris, and Narendra T. Sanghvi, assignors to Laboratory Equipment Corporation 17 April 1990 {Class 128/660.1}; filed 25 November 1987 This probe, which is intended for use with an ultrasonic imaging system, includes a fluid-filled enclosure 37 coupled to a handle 35 which houses a dc motor 61. The output shaft 64 is coupled to a level wind drive screw 75 which moves a transducer mounted in a holder assembly 78 back and forth. The travel of the transducer 80 creates a linear scan, thereby eliminating problems associated with sector scans in diagnostic imaging.mRCW 4,917,097 43.80.Vj APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGING