US Patent No: 6,669,638
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
Imaging ultrasound transducer temperature control system and method
Stats
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Dec 30, 2003
Issued date -
Oct 10, 2002
filing date -
10/268,207
serial no -
Expired
status
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Abstract
A system and method for controlling the heat of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention control the temperature of the transducer face by changing the imaging modes of the system. In a preferred embodiment, feedback from temperature sensing elements placed in the transducer is used to determine when to switch from a higher power imaging mode to a lower power imaging mode. In another preferred embodiment, the system switches from a higher power imaging mode to a lower power imaging mode after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In yet another preferred embodiment, the system switches to a "mixed" imaging mode, where the system cycles rapidly between a higher power imaging mode and a lower power imaging mode, and the resulting data is combined to form a single image.
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First Claim
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International Classification(s)
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Cited Art
| Patent Info | (Count) | # Cites | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 6,001,069 Ultrasound catheter for providing a therapeutic effect to a vessel of a body | 62 | 1998 | |
| 6,210,356 Ultrasound assembly for use with a catheter | 62 | 1998 | |
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| 6,050,943 Imaging, therapy, and temperature monitoring ultrasonic system | 80 | 1997 | |
| 6,500,121 Imaging, therapy, and temperature monitoring ultrasonic system | 34 | 2000 | |
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| 5,213,103 Apparatus for and method of cooling ultrasonic medical transducers by conductive heat transfer | 27 | 1992 | |
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| 5,555,887 Ultrasonic transducer probe with heat dissipating lens | 11 | 1995 | |
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| 5,721,463 Method and apparatus for transferring heat from transducer array of ultrasonic probe | 24 | 1995 | |
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| 4,638,436 Temperature control and analysis system for hyperthermia treatment | 83 | 1984 | |
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| 5,560,362 Active thermal control of ultrasound transducers | 147 | 1994 | |
Patent Citation Ranking
Maintenance Fees
| Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee | due date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.5 Year Payment | $7400.00 | $3700.00 | $1850.00 | Jun 30, 2015 |
| Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months | $160.00 | $80.00 | $40.00 |
| Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable | $700.00 | $350.00 | $175.00 |
| Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional | $1,640.00 | $820.00 | $410.00 |