Device with Echogenic Coating
Devices with enhanced visualization in ultrasound imaging are provided.
1 . An echogenically enhanced device comprising:
(a) an device having an outer surface; and
(b) a fused polymer particle coating affixed to at least a portion of the outer surface of said tool or device.
2 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particles of the coating are at least partially interconnected.
3 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particle coating provides an irregular surface topography on the outer surface of the tool or device.
4 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particle coating has a surface roughness greater than 0.5% of a selected ultrasonic imaging wavelength.
5 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particle coating has a surface roughness greater than 1.0 μm.
6 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particle coating comprises fused fluoropolymer particles.
7 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 6 wherein the fused fluoropolymer particles comprise fluorinated ethylene propylene or fluorinated ethylene propylene.
8 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particle coating has a melt temperature of less than 300° C.
9 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particle coating has a melt temperature of less than 200° C.
10 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the fused polymer particle coating has a melt temperature of less than 170° C.
11 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the device is a surgical instrument.
12 . The echogenically enhanced device of claim 1 wherein the device is a septal puncture needle.
13 . A method for enhancing echogenicity of an interventional tool or device, said method comprising:
affixing a polymer particle coating to at least a portion of a device.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the fused polymer particle coating comprises fused fluoropolymer particles.