Patents by Inventor Elvin Leonard Nix

Elvin Leonard Nix has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Ultrasonic transducer array and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 6776763
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array a plurality of discrete transducer elements are formed on an initially flat flexible substrate together with electrically conductive tracks, through which the transducer elements will be energised in use, the flexible substrate with the discrete transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon then being formed into a cylinder and mounted on the end of a catheter tube, the substrate being radially outwardly of the transducer elements so that it is in a position to act also as an acoustic matching layer between the material of the transducer elements and the human tissues or blood when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Volcano Therapeutic, Inc.
    Inventors: Elvin Leonard Nix, George Woodrow Keilman, Robert Julian Dickinson
  • Ultrasonic imaging devices and methods of fabrication
    Patent number: 6712767
    Abstract: An ultrasound catheter suitable for insertion in the body lumens of a patient during medical procedures is provided. An ultrasound transducer may be provided at the distal tip of the catheter. An inflatable balloon may be provided at the distal end of the catheter on the proximal side of the ultrasound transducer. The catheter may have lumens for inflation fluid, electrical wires, and a guide wire. A sheath that runs through the balloon may be used to isolate the electrical wires and guide wire from inflation fluid in the interior of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Volcano Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Hugh Hossack, Andrew Thomas Jeffrey, Elvin Leonard Nix
  • ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICES AND METHODS OF FABRICATION
    Publication number: 20040044286
    Abstract: An ultrasound catheter suitable for insertion in the body lumens of a patient during medical procedures is provided. An ultrasound transducer may be provided at the distal tip of the catheter. An inflatable balloon may be provided at the distal end of the catheter on the proximal side of the ultrasound transducer. The catheter may have lumens for inflation fluid, electrical wires, and a guide wire. A sheath that runs through the balloon may be used to isolate the electrical wires and guide wire from inflation fluid in the interior of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Hugh Hossack, Andrew Thomas Jeffrey, Elvin Leonard Nix
  • Ultrasonic transducer array and method of manufacturing the same
    Publication number: 20020087083
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array a plurality of discrete transducer elements are formed on an initially flat flexible substrate together with electrically conductive tracks, through which the transducer elements will be energised in use, the flexible substrate with the discrete transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon then being formed into a cylinder and mounted on the end of a catheter tube, the substrate being radially outwardly of the transducer elements so that it is in a position to act also as an acoustic matching layer between the material of the transducer elements and the human tissues or blood when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Elvin Leonard Nix, George Woodrow Keilman, Robert Julian Dickinson
  • Ultrasonic visualization and catheters therefor
    Patent number: 6283921
    Abstract: A catheter is provided that has both an ultrasonic transducer array (2) and a inflatable balloon (12) mounted at or near its distal end. A sheath catheter having a transducer array and associated multiplexer (4) arrangement located substantially coaxially within it. Furthermore, a guidewire (8) catheter having an ultrasonic transducer array mounted on it distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Intravascular Research Limited
    Inventors: Elvin Leonard Nix, Amit Kumar Som, Martin Terry Rothman, Andrew Robert Pacey
  • Ultrasonic transducer array and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 6238347
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array a plurality of discrete transducer elements are formed on an initially flat flexible substrate together with electrically conductive tracks, through which the transducer elements will be energised in use, the flexible substrate with the discrete transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon then being formed into a cylinder and mounted on the end of a catheter tube, the substrate being radially outwardly of the transducer elements so that it is in a position to act also as an acoustic matching layer between the material of the transducer elements and the human tissues or blood when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Intravascular Research Limited
    Inventors: Elvin Leonard Nix, George Woodrow Keilman, Robert Julian Dickinson
  • Ultrasonic transducer array and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 6110314
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array a plurality of discrete transducer elements are formed on an initially flat flexible substrate together with electrically conductive tracks, through which the transducer elements will be energized in use, the flexible substrate with the discrete transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon then being formed into a cylinder and mounted on the end of a catheter tube, the substrate being radially outwardly of the transducer elements so that it is in a position to act also as an acoustic matching layer between the material of the transducer elements and the human tissues or blood when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Intravascular Research Limited
    Inventors: Elvin Leonard Nix, George Woodrow Keilman, Robert Julian Dickinson