Patent ID: 8382674
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: A61B,A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A catheter for use in a patient's body lumen, configured for being viewed under ultrasonic imaging using an ultrasound imaging system outside of the patient's body lumen, the catheter comprising: a) an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal shaft section formed at least in part of a metallic member; and b) the distal shaft section further having an echo diffusive and dampening polymeric inner layer on an outer surface of the distal shaft section, and an echo diffusive and dampening polymeric outer layer on an outer surface of the inner layer, the inner and the outer layers have different acoustic impedances, and produce sonic reflections of amplitudes that destructively interfere, and an echogenic member in or on the inner or outer layer, such that an ultrasonic image of the distal shaft section consists of sonic reflections or transmissions of the echogenic member in the distal shaft section which is otherwise rendered echolucent by the echo diffusive and dampening inner and outer layers.