Ultrasound sensor
The invention relates to the guidance, positioning and placement confirmation of intravascular devices, such as catheters, stylets, guidewires and other flexible elongate bodies that are typically inserted percutaneously into the venous or arterial vasculature. Currently these goals are achieved using x-ray imaging and in some cases ultrasound imaging. This invention provides a method to substantially reduce the need for imaging related to placing an intravascular catheter or other device. Reduced imaging needs also reduce the amount of radiation that patients are subjected to, reduce the time required for the procedure, and decrease the cost of the procedure by reducing the time needed in the radiology department. An aspect of the invention includes, for example, an endovenous access and guidance system. The system comprises: an elongate flexible member adapted and configured to access the venous vasculature of a patient; a sensor disposed at a distal end of the elongate flexible member and configured to provide in vivo non-image based ultrasound information of the venous vasculature of the patient; a processor configured to receive and process in vivo non-image based ultrasound information of the venous vasculature of the patient provided by the sensor and to provide position information regarding the position of the distal end of the elongate flexible member within the venous vasculature of the patient; and an output device adapted to output the position information from the processor.
1 . An ultrasound sensor assembly comprising:
an ultrasound sensor; and
an airtight and ultrasound transparent seal encapsulating at least one side of the ultrasound sensor.
2 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the airtight and ultrasound transparent seal is shaped into an acoustic lens.
3 . The sensor assembly of claim 2 wherein the acoustic lens is shaped to spread a beam generated by the ultrasound sensor.
4 . The sensor assembly of claim 2 wherein the lens is made from epoxy.
5 . The ultrasound sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound sensor is formed from a piezoelectric crystal.
6 . The ultrasound sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound sensor is formed from a piezoelectric ceramic
7 . The ultrasound sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound sensor is formed from silicon.
8 . The ultrasound sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound sensor comprises a thin piezoelectric film.
9 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the lens comprises a plurality of microlenses.
10 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 further comprising a catheter body and wherein the ultrasound sensor is attached to the catheter to provide a forward looking beam.
11 . The sensor assembly of claim 1 further comprising a catheter body and wherein the ultrasound sensor is attached to the catheter to provide a lateral looking beam
12 . The sensor assembly of claim 11 wherein the ultrasound sensor is disposed in a recess formed in a wall of the catheter.
13 . The sensor assembly of claim 12 wherein the ultrasound sensor is adapted to provide Doppler readings from a fluid passing over the external surface of the catheter.
14 . The sensor assembly of claim 12 wherein the airtight and ultrasound transparent seal is shaped into an acoustic lens.
15 . The sensor assembly of claim 14 wherein the acoustic lens is shaped to spread the beam generated by the ultrasound sensor.