Miniscule Transducer for a Medical Article
An active needle assembly for use with an ultrasound imaging system includes a needle having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to be inserted into a patient. The needle assembly also includes a needle transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the needle. Further, the needle transducer has an area that is less than about two (2) square millimeters (mm 2 ). Moreover, the needle assembly includes an electrical connection for connecting the needle transducer to a power source.
1 . An active needle assembly for use with an ultrasound imaging system, the needle assembly comprising:
a needle comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient;
a needle transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the needle, the needle transducer comprising an area less than about two (2) square millimeters (mm 2 ); and
an electrical connection for connecting the needle transducer to a power source.
2 . The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the needle transducer comprises a width of up to about one (1) mm.
3 . The needle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the width is up to about 0.5 mm.
4 . The needle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the width is up to about 0.2 mm.
5 . The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the needle transducer comprises a length of up to about one (1) mm.
6 . The needle assembly of claim 5 , wherein the length is up to about 0.5 mm.
7 . The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the area of the needle transducer comprises at least one a square or a rectangular shape.
8 . The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the needle transducer is mounted to the exterior surface of the needle via at least one of bonding or an additive manufacturing process.
9 . The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the needle transducer is mounted at the distal end of the needle.
10 . The needle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection comprises at least one of a flexible printed circuit board or one or more cables.
11 . An active transducer assembly for use with an ultrasound imaging system, the transducer assembly comprising:
an article comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient;
an article transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the article, the article transducer comprising an area less than about two (2) square millimeters (mm 2 ); and
an electrical connection for connecting the article transducer to a power source.
12 . The transducer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the article comprises at least one of a needle, a catheter, or a stylet.
13 . The transducer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the needle transducer comprises a width of up to about one (1) mm.
14 . The transducer assembly of claim 13 , wherein the width is up to about 0.5 mm.
15 . The transducer assembly of claim 14 , wherein the width is up to about 0.2 mm.
16 . The transducer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the needle transducer comprises a length of up to about one (1) mm.
17 . The transducer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the area of the needle transducer comprises at least one a square or a rectangular shape.
18 . The transducer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the needle transducer is mounted to the exterior surface of the needle via at least one of bonding or an additive manufacturing process.
19 . The transducer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the needle transducer is mounted at the distal end of the needle.
20 . The transducer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the electrical connection comprises at least one of a flexible printed circuit board or one or more cables.