Patent ID: 6780157
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: A61B,B06B,Y10T

Abstract:
An ultrasonic imaging system, comprising:a catheter having a distal end portion and a longitudinally extending axis; a plurality of transducer elements arranged about the distal end portion of the catheter for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy; and an ultrasound processing system for exciting the transducer elements and processing signals produced by the elements to selectively form images in a B-mode lateral plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the catheter and passes through the transducer elements, a B-mode forward plane which extends in a forward direction from the transducer at an arbitrary angle with respect to the axis of the catheter, and a C-mode plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the catheter and spaced in front of the transducer.