US Patent No: 5,944,687

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

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Abstract

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This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLCLIVERMORE, CA1062

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Benett, William Livermore, CA 7 315
Celliers, Peter Berkeley, CA 6 283
Da, Silva Luiz Danville, CA 12 680
Glinsky, Michael Livermore, CA 8 406
Krulevich, Peter Pleasanton, CA 2 94
Lee, Abraham Walnut Creek, CA 9 102
London, Richard Orinda, CA 8 392
Maitland, Duncan Livermore, CA 5 252
Matthews, Dennis Moss Beach, CA 10 670

Cited Art Landscape

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
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* Cited By Examiner

Patent Citation Ranking

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Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
Other [Check patent profile for assignment information] (5)
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Vascular Imaging Corporation (25)
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BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM (6)
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THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (3)
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PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (10)
8,346,347 Skin optical characterization device 3 2006
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7,942,915 Phototreatment device for use with coolants 6 2006
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UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI (1)
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LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC (2)
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