Patent ID: 6425870
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: A61B,G10K

Abstract:
An ultrasonic phased array imaging transducer device comprising:a housing having a longitudinal axis, a tip end and a base end; said housing including a fluid volume containing: a phased array transducer disposed in the tip end of said housing and oriented so as to provide a sound path extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing; a fluid immersed motor for rotating the transducer; an encoder for determining positional information with respect to the transducer; a flexible cable electrically connected to said transducer and coiled elative to said transducer so as to permit transducer rotation of more than 180 degrees; a torque limitation device for limiting torque transmitted to the transducer, said torque limitation device including intermediate gearing between the transducer and the motor providing a reduction in gear ratio at the transducer and clutch means for disengaging the motor from the transducer responsive to torque in excess of a predetermined value so as to prevent damage to said flexible cable and; a static flexible membrane for sealing the fluid volume, said flexible cable extending through the flexible sealing membrane.