High frequency focused ultrasonic transducer for invasive tissue characterization

摘要

A broadband 25 to 50 MHz spherically focused ultrasonic transducer is placed on the tip of a catheter such that ultrasonic images of arteries and plaque are produced by introducing the catheter into arteries of patients. The high frequency transducer has thin piezoelectric polymer film as the transducing element and is adhered to a depression in the reduced cross section catheter tip. A coaxial cable in the catheter connects the transducer to an external signal source and a display for the received signals. The diagnosis and characterization of arterial disease is most often coupled with a therapeutic technique such as balloon angioplasty.