Abstract: An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter and when pivoted relative to the catheter. When pivoted relative to the catheter, the ultrasound transducer array may have a field of view distal to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter and when pivoted relative to the catheter. When pivoted relative to the catheter, the ultrasound transducer array may have a field of view distal to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical ultrasonic imaging device with dynamic focusing that is capable of operating at high frequencies and providing high resolution. One embodiment of the device includes a plurality of transducers, arranged in either a linear or curved array, for converting an ultrasonic signal received by the device into a plurality of electrical signals. This embodiment of the device also includes a plurality of vector modulators for phase-shifting the plurality of electrical signals to achieve fine focusing. A delay line array is further included in the device that allows each of the phase-shifted electrical signals to be delayed by a selected amount to achieve coarse focusing of the electrical signals. Further included in the device is a summer of summing the time delayed and phase-shifted electrical signals to provide focused image data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described in which a multi-element transducer array transmits a focused beam of energy from the transducer elements. As the depth of focus is varied between near and far field focusing under operator control, the nominal frequency of the transmitted ultrasound energy is varied correspondingly by the system, from relatively high frequency transmission in the near field to relatively low frequency transmission in the far field.