Volume ultrasound catheter array support

摘要

A medical ultrasound imaging catheter is stiffened for introduction into the patient. An insert is mated with the array. The insert may stiffen the catheter at the array, avoiding damage due to buckling. The insert is keyed to the array in order to fix the orientation of the array, such as using a support for twisting the array as the key.

主权项

1. A method for manufacturing a medical ultrasound imaging catheter, the method comprising:
positioning an insert adjacent to a transducer array with a keyed mating structure of the transducer array such that the transducer array is oriented relative to the insert; connecting the transducer array with the insert; and forming a housing of the medical ultrasound imaging catheter with the transducer array as oriented with the insert.