Abstract: A method for controlling fluid delivery to a medical instrument comprises releasing, from a reservoir of a known size and having fluid at a volume and a first fluid pressure, a released fluid volume of the fluid to the medical instrument. The method also comprises measuring a vented fluid volume and determining a discharged fluid volume through the medical instrument based on the released fluid volume and the vented fluid volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrated real-time visualization while performing a minimally invasive procedure within anatomic passageways include a flexible catheter having one or more first lumens and a first positioning system, an imaging probe having one or more imaging elements, and a scaling device. In souse embodiments, the scaling device includes a plurality of second lumens and the flexible catheter and the imaging probe are each optionally deployed through a respective one of the second lumens. In some embodiments, the one or more imaging elements include one or more ultrasound transducers. In some embodiments, the scaling device seals the anatomic passageways at a scaling location using one or more balloons, and the anatomic passageways distal to the sealing location are collapsed. In some embodiments, the first positioning system includes one or more position sensors. In some embodiments, the procedure is performed after the passageways are collapsed.

Abstract: A medical system includes a flexible catheter, an imaging probe, a working catheter, and a positioning system. The flexible catheter includes a plurality of first lumens and a sealing device having one or more balloons to seal the anatomic passageways at a sealing location and one or more flaps or valves to remove air from the anatomic passageways. The imaging probe and working catheter are receivable within the plurality of first lumens and extend through the sealing device. The working catheter includes one or more second lumens to receive a medical instrument. The positioning system is configured to determine a position of a distal portion of the flexible catheter, the imaging probe, or the working catheter. The medical system is configured to collapse a portion of the anatomic passageways distal of the sealing location by removing air from the anatomic passageways to facilitate ultrasound imaging using the imaging probe.

Abstract: A method for controlling fluid delivery to a catheter comprises charging a reservoir, of a known size, with a fluid to a volume at an initial fluid pressure and releasing a released fluid volume of the fluid from the reservoir to the catheter. The method also comprises measuring a vented fluid volume and determining a discharged fluid volume through the catheter based on the released fluid volume and the vented fluid volume.

Abstract: Flexible elongate device systems and methods include a flexible elongate device having a flexible body and an axial support structure. The axial support structure includes at least one groove extending along a length of the axial support structure. The flexible elongate device further includes a plurality of control elements for actuating the flexible elongate device. Each of the plurality of control elements extends through one of the at least one groove of the axial support structure. In some embodiments, the at least one groove includes a plurality of grooves spaced circumferentially around the axial support structure. In some embodiments, the flexible body includes lumens that extend through the at least one of the grooves. The control elements are disposed in the lumens. In some embodiments, the flexible body includes a main lumen that extends centrally through the flexible body. The main lumen provides a channel for a medical tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrated real-time visualization while performing a minimally invasive procedure within anatomic passageways include a flexible catheter having one or more first lumens and a first positioning system, an imaging probe having one or more imaging elements, and a sealing device. In some embodiments, the sealing device includes a plurality of second lumens and the flexible catheter and the imaging probe are each optionally deployed through a respective one of the second lumens. In some embodiments, the one or more imaging elements include one or more ultrasound transducers. In some embodiments, the sealing device seals the anatomic passageways at a sealing location using one or more balloons, and the anatomic passageways distal to the sealing location are collapsed. In some embodiments, the first positioning system includes one or more position sensors. In some embodiments, the procedure is performed after the passageways are collapsed.

Abstract: A capacitive membrane is used as a digital sensor. Membranes act as binary devices, such as being in a collapsed or non-collapsed state. By providing drum heads (membranes and associated gaps) with different response characteristics, the drum heads of an element digitally indicate the amplitude of the acoustic force by which of the drum heads are triggered or change states. The digital transducer may be used for different types of sensors, such as a CMUT, an air pressure, a temperature, a humidity, a chemical or biological stimulus or other sensor.

Abstract: A capacitive membrane is used as a digital sensor. Membranes act as binary devices, such as being in a collapsed or non-collapsed state. By providing drum heads (membranes and associated gaps) with different response characteristics, the drum heads of an element digitally indicate the amplitude of the acoustic force by which of the drum heads are triggered or change states. The digital transducer may be used for different types of sensors, such as a CMUT, an air pressure, a temperature, a humidity, a chemical or biological stimulus or other sensor.

Abstract: In k31 mode, a vibration is along an axis or orthogonal to the poling or electric field orientation. The direction of vibration is toward a face of an ultrasound transducer array. For each element of the array, electrodes are formed perpendicular to the face of the array, such as along the sides of the elements. Piezoelectric material is poled along a dimension parallel with the face of the transducer and perpendicular to the direction of acoustic energy propagation. Using elements designed for k31 resonant mode operation may provide for a better electrical impedance match, such as where small elements sizes are provided for a multi-dimensional transducer arrays. For additional impedance matching, the elements may be made from multiple layers of piezoelectric ceramic. Since the elements operate from a k31 mode, the layers are stacked along the poling direction or perpendicular to a face of the transducer array for transmitting or receiving acoustical energy.

Abstract: A capacitive membrane is used as a digital sensor. Membranes act as binary devices, such as being in a collapsed or non-collapsed state. By providing drum heads (membranes and associated gaps) with different response characteristics, the drum heads of an element digitally indicate the amplitude of the acoustic force by which of the drum heads are triggered or change states. The digital transducer may be used for different types of sensors, such as a CMUT, an air pressure, a temperature, a humidity, a chemical or biological stimulus or other sensor.

Abstract: Matching layers are provided, including: electrically conductive acoustic matching layers, methods for conducting electric current through matching layers, methods for manufacturing multi-dimensional arrays using conductive matching layers, and multi-dimensional arrays with electrically conducting matching layers. Matching layers with conductors aligned for providing electrical conduction through the thickness or range dimension of the matching layer are provided. For example, vias, aligned magnetic particles, or conductive films at least partially or entirely within the matching layer of each element allow electrical conduction from the transducer material to a ground foil or flex circuit. By using multiple electrical conductive matching layers, a gradation in acoustic impedance for better matching is provided while allowing dicing of the entire stack, including the matching layers and the electroceramic material, in one step.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are polymericly bonded together and electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly is disclosed having a housing, a transducer array mounted in the housing and an electronics assembly mounted in the housing, the electronics assembly including one or more sub-assemblies having heat generating components disposed thereon. The electronics sub-assemblies further include thermal conducting features which conduct heat generated by the heat generating components out of the electronics assembly where it can be further removed by other thermal management techniques. These other thermal management techniques may include techniques utilized to cool the transducer array.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements are manufactured by one or more of: (1) stacking to form a multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional array where the layers are polymericly bonded and electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) using air or gas to separate at least two elements, (3) stacking an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) using multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are polymericly bonded and electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly having a housing, a transducer array mounted in the housing, and active cooling mechanism positioned adjacent to the transducer array for actively removing heat generated by the array by transport of heat energy from the affected site. The active cooling mechanism comprises a thermo-electric cooler which utilizes active thermal transport to remove heat from the transducer. The thermoelectric cooler may be used alone or in combination with a phase change material or other system to subsequently remove the heat from the thermo-electric cooler. The thermo-electric cooler is coupled with the flex-circuit layers of the transducer to efficiently remove heat generated within the component layers of the transducer.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers polymerically bonded together where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are polymericly bonded and electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.