Patent ID: 8641630

Claim:
An ultrasound system, comprising: an ultrasound transducer housing containing a transducer horn that is connected to a signal generator and has a distal end; a transducer mechanism comprising a slide collar disposed around an inner ring wherein the transducer mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position wherein the second position is distal from the first position and wherein movement of the transducer mechanism from the first position to the second position engages a control ring on a catheter and moves a catheter mechanism from a first position to a second position; and the catheter having: an elongated flexible body, a proximal end, a distal end, a knob having a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the elongated flexible body extends from the distal end of the knob, the control ring disposed around the proximal end of the knob, a nesting piece disposed within the knob near the proximal end of the knob and operatively coupled to the control ring, at least one longitudinal lumen, an ultrasound transmission member, having a proximal end, extending through the lumen, a sonic connector that is secured to the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member and disposed within the nesting piece; and the catheter mechanism comprising the control ring and the nesting piece that is movable from the first position that engages the nesting piece around the sonic connector restraining the sonic connector and substantially preventing the transmission of ultrasound energy and a second position that disengages the nesting piece from the sonic connector, permitting the transmission of ultrasound energy from the transducer horn to the ultrasound transmission member; wherein the transducer housing operatively couples to the proximal end of the catheter.