INSTRUMENT AUSGERÜSTET ZUR VERBESSERTEN ABBILDUNG MITTELS ULTRASCHALL

摘要

An instrument (10) for ultrasonic imaging comprises a probe (12) for insertion into a material (62) containing a liquid. The probe (12) has a coating comprising a carrier material (30) and a quantity of reactive material (32) which, upon contacting a reactant produce a quantity of bubbles (62) adjacent the coating for reflecting ultrasonic energy. In one application the probe (12) comprises a biopsy needle and the coating is positioned towards a sharp distal end thereof (14a) thereby to facilitate the guiding and positioning thereof. Alternatively, the coating can be provided along the entire length of the instrument (10) or at descrete portions along its length.