Ultrasound transducer direction control

摘要

Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a chamber within which is a transducer mounted to a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and a coil for providing a pivot force to the transducer. A magnet is attached to the transducer and is receptive of a torque applied by a magnetic field produced by energizing of the coil.

主权项

1. A medical device comprising:
a transducer for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasound signals; a motor operatively coupled with a drive shaft, wherein operation of the motor rotates the shaft about a rotation axis; a pivot mechanism operatively connected to the shaft, wherein the pivot mechanism rotates in response to rotation of the shaft, the pivot mechanism having a pivot member which is pivotable about at least one pivot axis, the pivot axis being substantially non-parallel to the rotation axis, the pivot member including a magnetic layer and the transducer; and a coil positioned concentric to and along the rotation axis between the motor and the transducer, wherein the coil includes a plurality of electrically conductive windings, and wherein application of electric current to the coil creates a torque on the pivot member about the pivot axis.