RADIOPAQUE COATING FOR AN ULTRASONIC MEDICAL DEVICE

摘要

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for using an elongated ultrasonic probe (1) in conjunction with a radiopaque coating in order to improve the visibility of the ultrasonic probe (1) during a procedure such as fluoroscopy. The radiopaque coating may be an ink comprising an adhesive material. The adhesive material comprises a substance which allows for a significant amount ofx-ray absorption. The present invention provides an ultrasonic device (10) comprising an elongated probe (1) having a small-diameter wherein the elongated probe (1) is coated in a radiopaque coating. The present invention provides a method of improving the visibility of an ultrasonic device (10) during a fluoroscopic procedure comprising applying a radiopaque coating to an elongated probe (10) having a small diameter. The radiopaque coating of the present invention is capable of withstanding vibrations of the elongated probe (1) and increases the visibility of the elongated probe (1) in a fluoroscopic procedure.