WO1987001269A1 - Method for ultrasound examination and ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Method for ultrasound examination and ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1987001269A1
WO1987001269A1 PCT/DK1986/000099 DK8600099W WO8701269A1 WO 1987001269 A1 WO1987001269 A1 WO 1987001269A1 DK 8600099 W DK8600099 W DK 8600099W WO 8701269 A1 WO8701269 A1 WO 8701269A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ultrasonic
conductor
ultrasonic conductor
fibres
ultrasound
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK1986/000099
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Herbert Renald Christian Drue
Original Assignee
Medical Innovation Company A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Medical Innovation Company A/S filed Critical Medical Innovation Company A/S
Publication of WO1987001269A1 publication Critical patent/WO1987001269A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/12—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
    • A61B8/0808—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings for diagnosis of the brain
    • A61B8/0816—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings for diagnosis of the brain using echo-encephalography
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
    • A61B8/445—Details of catheter construction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/24—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound for conducting sound through solid bodies, e.g. wires

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for ultrasound exa- mination, such as in connection with ultrasound diag ⁇ nostics, non-destructive testing or the like, and an ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method.
  • Ultrasonic systems are known for imaging internal or-. gans.
  • An ultrasonic transducer is brought in contact with the skin of the patient.
  • the transducer trans ⁇ mits a sound field into the patient. Usually sound with a frequency of between 1 and 10 MHz is applied.
  • the field is reflected with varying intensity from interfaces between the organs of the patient, and these reflections can after suitable computing be u- tilized for imaging the internal organs.
  • ultrasound possesses the advantage of being totally harmless and painless.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a method that overcomes these drawbacks, and which can therefore produce better images than it has so far been possible.
  • the ultrasonic conductor can in effect direct the 10. ultrasound to a position close to the organ which is to be examined.
  • the dimensions of the ultrasonic transducer become insignificant, and it becomes pos ⁇ sible to examine areas that are otherwise hard to get access to. 15
  • ⁇ same ultrasonic conductor is used to pick up and to return the ultrasound reflected from the organ since this in a simple manner provides the best image pos-
  • the ultrasonic conduc ⁇ tor by means of an invasive technique is led through the patient to the organ to be examined, it becomes 25 possible to produce detailed images of deeper lying organs or organs which are otherwise hard to get ac ⁇ cess to. For instance it becomes possible to lead the ultrasonic conductor into the brain through blood vessels supplying blood to the brain.
  • An ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method according to the invention may be characteristic in that the ultrasonic conductor consists of one or more fibres of a usually homogenous material, as referred to in claim 4.
  • the ultrasonic conductor consists of one or more fibres of a usually homogenous material, as referred to in claim 4.
  • every fibre as referred to in claim 5, is sur ⁇ rounded by an acoustic insulation material with an acoustic Impedance differing significantly from the acoustic impedance of the homogenous material in the fibre, a number of fibres can be tied closely toge- ther to form a bundle without any risk that sound is transmitted from one fibre to the other.
  • the homogenous material may be a liquid, placed in a tube of the insulation material.
  • the ultrasonic conductor possesses means for coupling together the ultrasonic conductor with an ultrasonic transducer.
  • these coupling devi- ces permit the ultrasonic conductor to be used to ⁇ gether with several different transducers.
  • such coupling means may contribute to providing a better utilization of the transducer since this may, if necessary, be applied elsewhere, while the ultra- sonic conductor is being placed at the desired point in the patient.
  • the ultrasonic conductor can without dif- ficulty be led along complicated paths.
  • a further preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic con ⁇ ductor is characteristic in that, as referred to in claim 8, the fibre or fibres have a cross sectional area that varies along the length of the ultrasonic conductor. Thus, it becomes possible to obtain a higher sound Intensity by area at the free end of the ultrasonic conductor.
  • the ultrasonic conductor consists of a fibre bundle which in turn consists of arranged fibres, i.e. where all individual fibres in 10.. a bundle always have the same position in relation to each other.
  • the ultrasonic conductor may just like that be connected to a sector transducer which is either mechanic or electronic of the phased-array type.
  • an ultrasonic conductor made of one or seve ⁇ ral glass fibres e.g. in the form of light conduc ⁇ tors, as referred to in claim 10, will always possess good qualities.
  • fig. 1 shows the principle of the invention exem- 25 plified by scanning of the brain of the patient with an ultrasonic conductor accor ⁇ ding to the invention
  • fig. 2 shows an ultrasonic conductor according to 30 the invention connected to an ultraso ⁇ nic transducer
  • fig. 3 shows a section through a single fibre in an ultrasonic _• conductor according to the invention
  • fig. 4 shows a flexible ultrasonic conductor with arranged fibres
  • 5 fig. 5 shows a transducer which is provided with a stand-off cell for deflecting the ultra ⁇ sound.
  • FIG. 1 shows how an ultrasonic conductor 7 according to the invention can be used for the examination of an organ 9, here the brain, in a patient 10.
  • the ultrasonic conductor is led to the brain through. 15 an artery 8.
  • the ultrasonic conductor 7 penetrates into the body at the point 6.
  • the examination may for instance be a sector scanning.
  • An ultrasonic field 11 will arise at the end 13 of the ultrasonic conductor 7.
  • the sound field reflected from the brain is again
  • the signal picked up can by means of generally known computing produce an image 12 of the organ 9 on the scanner 1, 2.
  • the transducer 4 will of course have to be used as transmitter and
  • Fig. 2 shows in detail how the image formation can take place when the ultrasonic conductor 7 consists of arranged fibres.
  • The- ultrasound will therefore be led from the end 13 of the ultrasonic conductor 7 di ⁇ rect to the individual transmitter/receiver crystals In the transducer 4 which need only be an ordinary sector transducer.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates how the sound intensity increases if the cross section of the fibres diminish from a to b.
  • each fibre 7' should be surrounded by - an acoustically insulating material 14 whose acoustic impedance differs significantly from the impedance of the homogenous material in the fibre.
  • the insulating material 14 may, if required, be constructed as a tube. This makes it possible for the homogenous sound conducting material to be a li ⁇ quid.
  • fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment where the ultrasonic conductor 7 is made up of arranged flexible fibres 7' with diminishing cross sections. The fibres are insulated from each other.
  • Fig. 5 shows an ultrasonic transducer 4 which is re- leasably connected with a stand-off cell 15 which acts as ultrasonic conductor.
  • the stand-off cell is bent at an angle which in the shown example is 90°, and at the same time it has a cross sectional area diminishing away from the transducer 4. In this man ⁇ ner the stand-off cell may deflect and concentrate the sound field 11 extending from the end of the stand-off cell.
  • the stand-off cell is advantageously made of a homo ⁇ genous material with low acoustic impedance.
  • the stand-off cell 15 is provided with a bore 17 pa ⁇ rallel to the sound field 11.
  • the stand-off cell 15 can act as needle control when a needle 16 is in ⁇ serted into the patient in order that the needle may be observed on its way through the patient thereby preventing damage to internal organs.
  • An ultrasonic conductor according to the invention can be used anywhere where an ultrasonic examination is required. Besides in the medico technique the in ⁇ vention can also be used e.g. by ultrasonic control. of welding seams and for similar tasks.
  • the ultraso ⁇ nic conductor 7 can also be used where an ultrasonic field is to be turned e.g. 90°.
  • the ultrasonic conductor 7 can be used together with all known types of ultraso ⁇ nic transducers. For medical purposes it may thus be connected with multi-element transducers, sector transducers (mechanical as well as phased-array) and single-element transducers.
  • the ultrasonic conductor can also be used together with a puncture stand-off cell and thus lead the ultrasound from the transducer to the place where a needle is to be inserted.
  • the ultrasonic conductor 7 can on the whole be made of any homogenous material.
  • glass fibres have proved to be advantageous since they have a high de ⁇ gree of homogeneity, small diameter, good sound con ⁇ ductance and a high flexibility.
  • fibres of metal or plastics can also ,be used.
  • the individual fibres are twisted or wound in a suitable manner, just as the individual fibres may be given the length and/or diameter that produces the required result.
  • ultrasonic conductors accord ⁇ ing to the invention can also be used for removing e.g. tartar or kidney stone, in that the sound may be transmitted direct to the stone that is to be remo ⁇ ved.
  • fibres of varying ma ⁇ terial in order that there will be fields with higher or lower impedance. Hereby an easier penetration in ⁇ to tissue etc. is achieved.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Neurology (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

By a method for ultrasonic examination is used an ultrasonic conductor (7) for conducting ultrasound from a transducer (4) to an organ (9) in the patient (10) who is to be examined. The ultrasonic conductor (7) consists of a number of arranged fibres (7') of a homogenous material such as glass. By means of a coupling device (5) the transducer (4) transmits an ultrasonic field through the ultrasonic conductor (7) to the organ (9). The ultrasonic conductor (7) then picks up the reflected ultrasonic field and conducts this back to the transducer (4) from where the signal via a cable (3) and by means of generally known computing and monitoring devices is converted into an image (12).

Description

METHOD FOR ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION AND ULTRASONIC CON¬ DUCTOR FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD
The invention relates to a method for ultrasound exa- mination, such as in connection with ultrasound diag¬ nostics, non-destructive testing or the like, and an ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method.
Ultrasonic systems are known for imaging internal or-. gans. An ultrasonic transducer is brought in contact with the skin of the patient. The transducer trans¬ mits a sound field into the patient. Usually sound with a frequency of between 1 and 10 MHz is applied.
The field is reflected with varying intensity from interfaces between the organs of the patient, and these reflections can after suitable computing be u- tilized for imaging the internal organs. Within medi¬ co techniques ultrasound possesses the advantage of being totally harmless and painless.
Traditional ultrasound techniques have the disadvan¬ tage that it is difficult to produce useful and high¬ ly detailed images of deeper lying organs, just as bones make the image formation difficult. The latter applies e.g. by scanning of the brain.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method that overcomes these drawbacks, and which can therefore produce better images than it has so far been possible.
This is achieved when the ultrasound is led to an or- 5 gan which is to be examined, by means of an ultra¬ sonic conductor designed for transmitting ultra¬ sound.
The ultrasonic conductor can in effect direct the 10. ultrasound to a position close to the organ which is to be examined. Thus the dimensions of the ultrasonic transducer become insignificant, and it becomes pos¬ sible to examine areas that are otherwise hard to get access to. 15
It is expedient if, as referred to in claim 2, the
~same ultrasonic conductor is used to pick up and to return the ultrasound reflected from the organ since this in a simple manner provides the best image pos-
20 sible.
If, as referred to in claim 3, the ultrasonic conduc¬ tor by means of an invasive technique is led through the patient to the organ to be examined, it becomes 25 possible to produce detailed images of deeper lying organs or organs which are otherwise hard to get ac¬ cess to. For instance it becomes possible to lead the ultrasonic conductor into the brain through blood vessels supplying blood to the brain.
30
An ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method according to the invention may be characteristic in that the ultrasonic conductor consists of one or more fibres of a usually homogenous material, as referred to in claim 4. Hereby an efficient transmission of the sound field with only minimum attenuation of the signal is achieved.
If every fibre, as referred to in claim 5, is sur¬ rounded by an acoustic insulation material with an acoustic Impedance differing significantly from the acoustic impedance of the homogenous material in the fibre, a number of fibres can be tied closely toge- ther to form a bundle without any risk that sound is transmitted from one fibre to the other. Moreover, the homogenous material may be a liquid, placed in a tube of the insulation material.
In a preferred embodiment, as referred to in claim 6, the ultrasonic conductor possesses means for coupling together the ultrasonic conductor with an ultrasonic transducer. Hereby it becomes quick to establish a connection, and at the same time these coupling devi- ces permit the ultrasonic conductor to be used to¬ gether with several different transducers. Finally, such coupling means may contribute to providing a better utilization of the transducer since this may, if necessary, be applied elsewhere, while the ultra- sonic conductor is being placed at the desired point in the patient.
If the fibre or fibres are flexible, as referred to in claim 7, the ultrasonic conductor can without dif- ficulty be led along complicated paths.
A further preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic con¬ ductor is characteristic in that, as referred to in claim 8, the fibre or fibres have a cross sectional area that varies along the length of the ultrasonic conductor. Thus, it becomes possible to obtain a higher sound Intensity by area at the free end of the ultrasonic conductor.
By image formation it is furthermore expedient, as referred to in claim 9, that the ultrasonic conductor consists of a fibre bundle which in turn consists of arranged fibres, i.e. where all individual fibres in 10.. a bundle always have the same position in relation to each other. Thus the ultrasonic conductor may just like that be connected to a sector transducer which is either mechanic or electronic of the phased-array type.
15
Finally, an ultrasonic conductor made of one or seve¬ ral glass fibres, e.g. in the form of light conduc¬ tors, as referred to in claim 10, will always possess good qualities.
20
In the following the invention will be described in closer detail with reference to the drawing, in which
fig. 1 shows the principle of the invention exem- 25 plified by scanning of the brain of the patient with an ultrasonic conductor accor¬ ding to the invention,
fig. 2 shows an ultrasonic conductor according to 30 the invention connected to an ultraso¬ nic transducer,
fig. 3 shows a section through a single fibre in an ultrasonic _• conductor according to the invention,
fig. 4 shows a flexible ultrasonic conductor with arranged fibres, and 5 fig. 5 shows a transducer which is provided with a stand-off cell for deflecting the ultra¬ sound.
10 Fig. 1 shows how an ultrasonic conductor 7 according to the invention can be used for the examination of an organ 9, here the brain, in a patient 10.
The ultrasonic conductor is led to the brain through. 15 an artery 8. The ultrasonic conductor 7 penetrates into the body at the point 6.
By means of a connecting means 5 the ultrasonic con¬ ductor 7 is connected to an ultrasonic transducer 4,
2.0 which in a known manner is connected to an image mo¬ nitor 1, 2 via a cable 3. The examination may for instance be a sector scanning. An ultrasonic field 11 will arise at the end 13 of the ultrasonic conductor 7. The sound field reflected from the brain is again
25 picked up by the sound conductor 7 and returned by this to the transducer 4. The signal picked up can by means of generally known computing produce an image 12 of the organ 9 on the scanner 1, 2. The transducer 4 will of course have to be used as transmitter and
30 receiver in turns.
Fig. 2 shows in detail how the image formation can take place when the ultrasonic conductor 7 consists of arranged fibres. The- ultrasound will therefore be led from the end 13 of the ultrasonic conductor 7 di¬ rect to the individual transmitter/receiver crystals In the transducer 4 which need only be an ordinary sector transducer.
Fig. 3 illustrates how the sound intensity increases if the cross section of the fibres diminish from a to b. If the ultrasonic conductor 7 is to consist of a fibre bundle, each fibre 7' should be surrounded by - an acoustically insulating material 14 whose acoustic impedance differs significantly from the impedance of the homogenous material in the fibre. Hereby the ul¬ trasound will constantly be reflected from the inter¬ face and hence exclusively be distributed inside the fibre. The insulating material 14 may, if required, be constructed as a tube. This makes it possible for the homogenous sound conducting material to be a li¬ quid.
Finally, fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment where the ultrasonic conductor 7 is made up of arranged flexible fibres 7' with diminishing cross sections. The fibres are insulated from each other.
; Fig. 5 shows an ultrasonic transducer 4 which is re- leasably connected with a stand-off cell 15 which acts as ultrasonic conductor. The stand-off cell is bent at an angle which in the shown example is 90°, and at the same time it has a cross sectional area diminishing away from the transducer 4. In this man¬ ner the stand-off cell may deflect and concentrate the sound field 11 extending from the end of the stand-off cell. The stand-off cell is advantageously made of a homo¬ genous material with low acoustic impedance.
The stand-off cell 15 is provided with a bore 17 pa¬ rallel to the sound field 11. Thus the stand-off cell 15 can act as needle control when a needle 16 is in¬ serted into the patient in order that the needle may be observed on its way through the patient thereby preventing damage to internal organs.
An ultrasonic conductor according to the invention can be used anywhere where an ultrasonic examination is required. Besides in the medico technique the in¬ vention can also be used e.g. by ultrasonic control. of welding seams and for similar tasks. The ultraso¬ nic conductor 7 can also be used where an ultrasonic field is to be turned e.g. 90°.
The ultrasonic conductor 7 according to the invention can be used together with all known types of ultraso¬ nic transducers. For medical purposes it may thus be connected with multi-element transducers, sector transducers (mechanical as well as phased-array) and single-element transducers. The ultrasonic conductor can also be used together with a puncture stand-off cell and thus lead the ultrasound from the transducer to the place where a needle is to be inserted.
The ultrasonic conductor 7 can on the whole be made of any homogenous material. Thus glass fibres have proved to be advantageous since they have a high de¬ gree of homogeneity, small diameter, good sound con¬ ductance and a high flexibility. But fibres of metal or plastics can also ,be used. For certain purposes one can moreover imagine that the individual fibres are twisted or wound in a suitable manner, just as the individual fibres may be given the length and/or diameter that produces the required result.
It should be added that ultrasonic conductors accord¬ ing to the invention can also be used for removing e.g. tartar or kidney stone, in that the sound may be transmitted direct to the stone that is to be remo¬ ved. Finally one could imagine fibres of varying ma¬ terial in order that there will be fields with higher or lower impedance. Hereby an easier penetration in¬ to tissue etc. is achieved.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S
1. Method for ultrasound examination, such as in con¬ nection with ultrasound diagnostics, non-destructive testing or the like, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that ultrasound is led to an organ (9) which is to be examined, by means of an ultrasonic conduσtur (7, 15) designed to transmit ultrasound.
2. Method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d in that the ultrasonic conductor (7, 15) is also used for picking up the reflected sound sig-. nal from the organ (9) and for conducting the re¬ flected signal back to a monitoring device for image formation or the like.
3. Method according to claims 1-2 and especially for ultrasound diagnostics, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that by means of an invasive method the ultrasonic conductor (7) is led through the patient to the area which is to be examined by e.g. ultrasonic scanning.
4. Ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method according to claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the ultrasonic conductor (7, 15) consists of one or several fibres of an unusually homogenous ma¬ terial.
5. Ultrasonic conductor according to claim 4, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d in that each fibre (7) is surrounded by an insulating material (14) which has an acoustic impedance - differing significantly from the acoustic impedance of the homogenous material in the fibre.
6. Ultrasonic conductor according to claim 4-5, c h a c t e r i z e d in that the ultrasonic conduc¬ tor (7) has means (5) for coupling together the ul¬ trasonic conductor with an ultrasonic transducer (4).
7. Ultrasonic conductor according to claim 4, σ h a - a σ t e r i z e d in that the ultrasonic conductor
(15) is connected to an ultrasonic transducer (4) and has a curved shape for deflecting the sound field (11) and a needle control (17) parallel to the field
(11).
8. Ultrasonic conductor according to claims 4-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the fibre or fi¬ bres is/are flexible.
9. Ultrasonic conductor according to claims 4-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the fibre (15) or fibres (7) has/have a cross sectional area varying along the length of the ultrasonic conductor (7, 15).
10. Ultrasonic conductor according to claims 4-9 and consisting of a bundle of fibres, c h a r a c t e - z e d in that the bundle consists of arranged fi¬ bres, i.e. that all individual fibres in the bundle always have the same position in relation to each other.
11. Ultrasonic conductor according to claims 4-6 and 8-10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the ultraso¬ nic conductor is made of-one or several glass fibres, such as light conductors.
PCT/DK1986/000099 1985-09-02 1986-09-02 Method for ultrasound examination and ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method WO1987001269A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK3994/85 1985-09-02
DK399485A DK399485D0 (en) 1985-09-02 1985-09-02 METHOD OF EXAMPLING ULTROID AND ULTROYD LEADERS FOR USE IN EXERCISING THE PROCEDURE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1987001269A1 true WO1987001269A1 (en) 1987-03-12

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/DK1986/000099 WO1987001269A1 (en) 1985-09-02 1986-09-02 Method for ultrasound examination and ultrasonic conductor for carrying out the method

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0235216A1 (en)
AU (1) AU6371086A (en)
DK (1) DK399485D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1987001269A1 (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0397960A1 (en) * 1989-05-16 1990-11-22 Hewlett-Packard Company Ultrasonic catheter guidance system
WO1992003971A1 (en) * 1990-09-07 1992-03-19 Hewlett-Packard Company Acoustic fiber measurement of intravascular blood
EP0580304A1 (en) * 1992-07-22 1994-01-26 Hewlett-Packard Company Intracavity ultrasound diagnostic probe using fiber acoustic waveguides
US5486170A (en) * 1992-10-26 1996-01-23 Ultrasonic Sensing And Monitoring Systems Medical catheter using optical fibers that transmit both laser energy and ultrasonic imaging signals
US5567881A (en) * 1995-05-05 1996-10-22 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Method and apparatus for inspecting a structural part having surface irregularities
US5691476A (en) * 1993-09-07 1997-11-25 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Method for ultrasonic imaging and device for performing the method
US5916210A (en) * 1990-01-26 1999-06-29 Intraluminal Therapeutics, Inc. Catheter for laser treatment of atherosclerotic plaque and other tissue abnormalities
EP0928640A1 (en) * 1998-01-12 1999-07-14 Imra Europe S.A. Ultrasonic transducer with a horn and phased array using such ultrasonic transducers
US6230568B1 (en) 1992-02-07 2001-05-15 Ultrasonic Sensing And Monitoring Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of inaccessible areas
US6238386B1 (en) 1992-07-20 2001-05-29 Gerhard Müller Method and arrangement for invasive or endoscopic therapy by utilizing ultrasound and laser

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1285880A (en) * 1968-09-25 1972-08-16 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Improvements in or relating to guides for elastic waves
US3922622A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-11-25 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Elastic waveguide utilizing an enclosed core member
GB2029960A (en) * 1977-12-22 1980-03-26 Krautkraemer Gmbh Ultrasonic testing device
EP0083973A1 (en) * 1982-01-07 1983-07-20 Technicare Corporation Ultrasound probe locator
DK148405B (en) * 1983-02-07 1985-07-01 Herbert Renald Christian Drue CONTINUED FOR ULTRA SOUND SCANNER HEADS

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1285880A (en) * 1968-09-25 1972-08-16 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Improvements in or relating to guides for elastic waves
US3922622A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-11-25 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Elastic waveguide utilizing an enclosed core member
GB2029960A (en) * 1977-12-22 1980-03-26 Krautkraemer Gmbh Ultrasonic testing device
EP0083973A1 (en) * 1982-01-07 1983-07-20 Technicare Corporation Ultrasound probe locator
DK148405B (en) * 1983-02-07 1985-07-01 Herbert Renald Christian Drue CONTINUED FOR ULTRA SOUND SCANNER HEADS

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0397960A1 (en) * 1989-05-16 1990-11-22 Hewlett-Packard Company Ultrasonic catheter guidance system
US5916210A (en) * 1990-01-26 1999-06-29 Intraluminal Therapeutics, Inc. Catheter for laser treatment of atherosclerotic plaque and other tissue abnormalities
WO1992003971A1 (en) * 1990-09-07 1992-03-19 Hewlett-Packard Company Acoustic fiber measurement of intravascular blood
US5152291A (en) * 1990-09-07 1992-10-06 Hewlett-Packard Company Acoustic fiber measurement of intravascular blood
US6230568B1 (en) 1992-02-07 2001-05-15 Ultrasonic Sensing And Monitoring Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of inaccessible areas
US6238386B1 (en) 1992-07-20 2001-05-29 Gerhard Müller Method and arrangement for invasive or endoscopic therapy by utilizing ultrasound and laser
DE4322955B4 (en) * 1992-07-20 2007-12-20 Aesculap Ag & Co. Kg Invasive surgical instrument
EP0580304A1 (en) * 1992-07-22 1994-01-26 Hewlett-Packard Company Intracavity ultrasound diagnostic probe using fiber acoustic waveguides
US5486170A (en) * 1992-10-26 1996-01-23 Ultrasonic Sensing And Monitoring Systems Medical catheter using optical fibers that transmit both laser energy and ultrasonic imaging signals
US5691476A (en) * 1993-09-07 1997-11-25 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Method for ultrasonic imaging and device for performing the method
US5567881A (en) * 1995-05-05 1996-10-22 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Method and apparatus for inspecting a structural part having surface irregularities
EP0928640A1 (en) * 1998-01-12 1999-07-14 Imra Europe S.A. Ultrasonic transducer with a horn and phased array using such ultrasonic transducers

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Publication number Publication date
AU6371086A (en) 1987-03-24
EP0235216A1 (en) 1987-09-09
DK399485D0 (en) 1985-09-02

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