摘要:
The preferred embodiments include a method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a catheter-mounted phased-array ultrasound transducer. The material used for the end portion can be altered to give the end portion focusing, defocusing, or non-focusing characteristics. In one preferred embodiment, a thermoplastic material is injection molded or insert molded around a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried at a distal end of a catheter. In another preferred embodiment, a thermoset material is used to form the end portion using a casting or transfer molding technique. In yet another preferred embodiment, the phased-array ultrasound transducer is placed into a pre-formed end portion. The pre-formed end portion can be adhesively-attached to the phased-array transducer and catheter. If the pre-formed end portion is made from a thermoplastic material, the end portion can be thermally melted to attach the end portion to the phased-array transducer and catheter.
摘要:
A phased-array ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a catheter. An end portion is mounted to the catheter around a transducer array, and the end portion defines an acoustic window which is essentially non-focusing to ultrasonic energy passing therethrough. Because the acoustic window is non-focusing, a relatively small radius of curvature can be used on the radially outer surface of this window.
摘要:
An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a conduit that defines a lumen, and the lumen carries a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit can take several forms. In one form the circuit is folded at first and second fold lines, and at least one of the folds is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis of conduit. In another form the flexible circuit includes an end portion that defines a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, each groove aligned with and exposing a respective one of the conductors of the circuit. Additional conductors are positioned in respective ones of the grooves and are electrically connected with the respective conductors of the flexible circuit.
摘要:
A controller for an ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis that extends generally parallel to the proximal end of a conduit, such as a catheter. A steering actuator is mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, and a steering hub is mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the steering actuator such that rotation of the steering ring with respect to the housing causes rotation of the steering hub. A steering line is secured adjacent the steering hub and extends to the distal end of the conduit such that rotation of the steering hub alters the effective length of the steering line to steer the distal end. The steering line is wrapped at least partially around a stator to avoid threading the steering line through multiple holes and slots prior to termination to the steering hub. The steering line is preferably formed of a liquid crystal polymer, and the housing of the steering mechanism preferably contains an extension portion to ensure that the portion of the housing that the user grips to manipulate the steering mechanism is sufficiently far away from the cable to ensure that the cable will remain sterile and thus reusable. In an additional preferred embodiment, the controller is contoured to a human hand to provide a comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable one-handed operation.
摘要:
A drive system with a rotary stop for driving a rotatable load is provided having a motor, a rotary stop and a spring stop assembly for coupling the motor to the rotary stop. The spring stop assembly has a motor-driven gear coupled to a hub by a torsional spring. A position encoder may be attached to the motor. In addition, a drive shaft may be coupled to the motor and the multiturn rotary stop through the spring stop assembly.
摘要:
According to the present invention, an ultrasonic transducer probe is provided having an array of ultrasonic transducers rotatably mounted about an axis within the ultrasonic transducer probe, a lens mounted to the array, and a housing encasing the array and the lens. The lens is symmetric about the axis of rotation of the array. In addition, the housing has a continuous upper surface that is formed, in a region adjacent to the symmetric lens, to mate with the symmetric lens.
摘要:
Articles having a graft polymer with a net ionic charge bonded to a polymeric substrate surface provide an improved method for administering a bioactive agent having a net ionic charge. The [articles are] method is especially useful [as] for thromboresistant and/or antimicrobial medical devices.
摘要:
A biocompatible prosthetic device is provided which comprises a solid polymeric body incorporating an amount of an albumin-binding dye effective to form a coating of endogenous albumin on said device when the device is in contact with a physiological fluid containing albumin. A method of increasing the albumin-binding ability of a prosthetic device is also provided.
摘要:
A method for the early diagnosis of Bordetella diseases based on the detection of Bordetella adenylate cyclase and the ability of this enzyme to catalyze the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). A sample secretion is taken from a suspected victim of a Bordetella disease (the most common of which in humans is whooping cough) and incubated under conditions to promote the formation of cAMP, which may then be measured as evidence of the presence of the disease. A sample of nasopharyngeal secretions is maintained in a nutrient medium pending assay. An adenylate cyclase assay is made by incubating the sample with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the calcium binding protein calmodulin to generate cAMP. The cAMP is measured by any of several known available methods. To facilitate diagnosis, a kit is provided containing the materials necessary for collection of secretion specimens, for storage of specimens pending assay, and transport of specimens to the assay laboratory, and for performing the assay and determining the result.
摘要:
A method and agents are disclosed for raising the tolerance of animal tissue to antibiotic compounds that induce oxidant stress. The method comprises administering one or more nontoxic redox compounds to the locus of administration of the antibiotic in an amount sufficient to diminish the production of the potentially toxic oxidants. The redox compounds may be administered by various parenteral techniques. The agents comprise redox compounds and include redox dyes such as those of the thiazine group. Of this group methylene blue is preferred. A method for treating cancer in animals is also disclosed.