SELF-AIMING DIRECTABLE ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER ASSEMBLY FOR INVASIVE MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATIONS

摘要

A directable acoustic transducer assembly (120) for use in a medical insertion device (MID) (100). In an embodiment, the assembly aims an acoustic signal in response to a sensed or detected force/load imposed on the MID (100). The directable acoustic transducer assembly (120) includes a switch array (126) and directional acoustic transducer elements (160a-160h). The switch array (126) responds to the force/load and activates the directional acoustic transducer elements (160a-160h) closest to the source of the force or load. The switch array (126) may include switches (126a-126h), at least one of which responses to a force or load and may activate directional acoustic transducer elements (160a-106h) having a target tissue in the field of view. The assembly includes embodiments that are responsive to various loads. A directable acoustic transducer assembly (120) may be part of a diagnostic and/or therapeutic system, (e.g., an RF ablation system (700)).