CONNECTOR FOR SECURING ULTRASOUND CATHETER TO TRANSDUCER

摘要

An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer (34) having a transducer housing (24) and a horn (42) provided at the distal end of the transducer housing (24), an ultrasound transmission member (32), a sonic connector (36) that is connected to the horn (42) and the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member (32), and a catheter knob (20) having a proximal end that is coupled to the distal end of the transducer housing (24). The catheter knob has a proximal bore (44) that houses the sonic connector (36). The system also includes a nesting piece (94) that is retained inside the proximal bore (44) of the catheter knob (20). The nesting piece (94) can be moved from a first position where the sonic connector (36) is separated from the nesting piece (40) when ultrasound energy is being propagated through the ultrasound transmission member (32).