Ultrasonic sweep echography and display endoscopic probe
April 5, 2004. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesApparatus with a catheter for examining hollow organs or bodies with the ultrasonic waves Endoscopic method & apparatus including ultrasonic B-scan imaging Electronic scanning ultrasonic diagnostic system Ultrasonic step scanning utilizing curvilinear transducer array Ultrasonic diagnosis device Arc scan ultrasonic transducer array Ultrasonic endoscope having elongated array mounted in manner allowing it to remain flexible Device for diagnosing body cavity interiors with supersonic waves Patent #: 4494549 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 06/597054 filed on 04/05/1984US Classes:600/109, With camera or solid state imager600/139, Having flexible tube structure600/146, With bending control means600/463With acoustical or display imagingExaminersPrimary: Howell, Kyle L.Assistant: Jaworski, Francis J. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesA61B 8/12 (20060101)A61B 1/00 (20060101) Foreign Application Priority Data1983-04-06 FRAbstractThe endoscopic probe, more especially for medical use, comprises a tubular member insertable in a cavity to be explored, having a flexible part ending in an endmost section able to be orientated by means of mechanical control means disposed inside the flexible section. The section carries optical illumination and image return means and an ultrasonic electro-acoustic translater. This translator comprises a fixed curved linear array of piezoelectric elements, the convexity of the curve being directed outwardly. The array is associated with an electronic circuit for energizing the elements according to a sectorial sweep sequence in an angular field overlapping with the field of view of the optical means. | |
