Patent ID: 8545412

Claim:
A catheter assembly comprising: a catheter having a distal end with a distal tip, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length, the catheter comprising a body that defines a central lumen extending along the catheter to the distal end, the body comprising an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material disposed over the inner layer of material, wherein the inner layer of material is formed electrically-nonconductive material, a forward-facing transducer array disposed at the distal tip of the catheter, the transducer array configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals, at least one catheter conductor electrically coupled to the transducer array and extending along the body; and a flared, sonolucent distal member disposed over at least a portion of the transducer array and bonded to the transducer array; and a delivery element disposed in the central lumen of the body, the delivery element comprising a distal tip configured and arranged for contacting patient tissue, wherein the distal tip of the delivery element is configured and arranged to extend beyond the distal tip of the catheter.