초록 ▼

Ultrasonic apparatus for clot dissolution and plaque ablation includes a radiator for coupling ultrasonic waves into plaque and a piezoelectric crystal, connected with said radiator, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves; said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axi

Ultrasonic apparatus for clot dissolution and plaque ablation includes a radiator for coupling ultrasonic waves into plaque and a piezoelectric crystal, connected with said radiator, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves; said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal. The piezoelectric crystal is constructed in order to prevent significant power loss caused by a shifting of the inertial node of the generated ultrasonic waves to a position exterior to said piezoelectric crystal due to loading of the radiator caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the clot or plaque.

대표청구항 ▼

Ultrasonic apparatus for removal of intravascular blockages, including clots and plaque, said ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: radiator means for coupling ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage, said radiator means having a solid blunt radiating surface; piezoelectric crystal means, conne

Ultrasonic apparatus for removal of intravascular blockages, including clots and plaque, said ultrasonic apparatus, comprising: radiator means for coupling ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage, said radiator means having a solid blunt radiating surface; piezoelectric crystal means, connected with said radiator means, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves, having a frequency of between about 50 kHz and about 1.3 MHz, said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal means and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal means, said radiator means and piezoelectric crystal means being sized for intravascular positioning, said piezoelectric crystal means having sufficient length to prevent significant power loss during loading of the radiator means caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the intravascular blockage; and amplifier means, interconnected between said radiator means and piezoelectric crystal means, for transmitting and amplifying mechanical vibration of an ultrasonic frequency from said piezoelectric crystal means to said radiator means.