Patent ID: 6251078
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An ultrasound catheter comprising:a transmission line having a distal end;a rotatable transducer, wherein said rotatable transducer has a coupling to said distal end of said transmission line, and wherein said rotatable transducer is responsive to a transducer excitation signal carried on said coupling to said distal end of said transmission line, and wherein said rotatable transducer generates a received signal;a preamplifier having an input and output, wherein said preamplifier is powered by a DC power signal;a first protection circuit electrically connecting the rotatable transducer to the input of said preamplifier, wherein said first protection circuit protects said preamplifier from the transducer excitation signal, and wherein said first protection circuit couples the received signal to the input of said preamplifier;a second protection circuit electrically connecting the output of said preamplifier to said transmission line, wherein said second protection circuit protects said preamplifier from the transducer excitation signal, and wherein said second protection circuit couples an amplified received signal produced by said preamplifier to said transmission line.