A transvascular ultrasound probe

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of vascular ultrasound probes, comprising: transducer, the transducer includes the transducer body with acoustic wave emission plane and the flexible circuit board connected with the transducer body;Catheter;Positioning structure, the positioning structure has the first positioning portion that can cooperate with the transducer and the second positioning portion that can cooperate with the catheter;Wherein, the first positioning portion is connected with the transducer and realizes the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer;The second positioning portion is connected with the catheter and realizes the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter.The vascular ultrasound probe provided by the utility model realizes the circumferential positioning and calibration of transducer and catheter by positioning structure, compared with artificial observation method calibration, calibration can effectively improve calibration accuracy by the above entity structure, and reduces artificial operation difficulty.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical equipment technology, and in particular to a transvascular ultrasound probe. Background Technology

[0002] Transvascular ultrasound probes (such as intracardiac or intravascular ultrasound probes) consist of an ultrasound transducer and a catheter connected to the transducer. Taking an intracardiac ultrasound probe as an example, the catheter needs to pass through a blood vessel and make four bends within the heart to emit and receive ultrasound waves for imaging. In clinical use, the direction of deflection can affect the acquired images. To ensure accurate matching of the deflected imaging direction with the target biological structure (such as a blood vessel or heart), the circumferential position of the transducer's acoustic emission plane relative to the catheter needs to be positioned and calibrated.

[0003] Currently, the calibration of the transducer's acoustic emission plane and the duct is mainly performed through manual observation. For example, physical marks (such as etched lines or reflection points) are set on the transducer and duct, and alignment is performed using optical equipment (such as a camera). However, the above positioning and calibration methods are not very accurate, and the manual operation is quite difficult.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve accuracy and reduce difficulty is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by people in this technical field. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a transvascular ultrasound probe to improve accuracy and reduce difficulty.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A transvascular ultrasound probe, comprising:

[0008] A transducer, the transducer comprising a transducer body having a sound wave emitting plane and a flexible circuit board connected to the transducer body;

[0009] catheter;

[0010] A positioning structure having a first positioning part that can cooperate with the transducer and a second positioning part that can cooperate with the conduit;

[0011] The first positioning part is connected to the transducer to realize the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer;

[0012] The second positioning part is connected to the catheter to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter.

[0013] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the transducer has a transducer bottom surface facing away from the sound wave emitting plane, a rear side plane and a front side plane located between the transducer bottom surface and the sound wave emitting plane, the front side plane and the rear side plane are arranged opposite to each other and the front side plane faces away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0014] The first positioning part has a first positioning surface for connecting with at least one of the bottom surface of the transducer, the front side plane and the rear side plane.

[0015] Optionally, the transvascular ultrasound probe described above further includes an acoustic lens;

[0016] The acoustic lens is connected to the transducer and the conduit, and the acoustic lens and the conduit form a cavity to accommodate the transducer, with the positioning structure located within the cavity; or, the positioning structure and the acoustic lens are an integral structure.

[0017] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the material used to manufacture the acoustic lens has the same elastic modulus as the material used to manufacture the positioning structure;

[0018] And / or, the material used to manufacture the catheter has the same elastic modulus as the material used to manufacture the positioning structure.

[0019] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the second positioning part includes a second positioning plane;

[0020] When the second positioning part is engaged with the catheter, the second positioning plane is connected to the reference plane of the catheter to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter.

[0021] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, when the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the second positioning plane is parallel to the sound wave emitting plane.

[0022] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the first positioning part includes a first positioning plane;

[0023] The transducer has a bottom surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane;

[0024] When the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the first positioning plane is connected to the bottom surface of the transducer to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer.

[0025] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the first positioning plane and the second positioning plane form a predetermined angle;

[0026] And / or, when the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the acoustic wave emitting plane is parallel to the bottom surface of the transducer and the first positioning plane is parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane, or the acoustic wave emitting plane and the bottom surface of the transducer form a predetermined angle and the first positioning plane and the acoustic wave emitting plane form a predetermined angle.

[0027] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the first positioning part further includes a first plane that forms a predetermined angle with the first positioning plane; the transducer also has a rear side plane and a front side plane located between the bottom surface of the transducer and the sound wave emitting plane, the front side plane and the rear side plane are arranged opposite to each other and the front side plane faces away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0028] The first plane is connected to at least one of the two side planes of the transducer, wherein the two side planes are the planes of the transducer located between the front side plane and the rear side plane; or,

[0029] During the assembly of the first positioning part with the transducer, the first plane makes limiting contact with at least one of the two side planes of the transducer, and the transducer can move along the first plane toward the first positioning plane to guide the first positioning plane to connect with the bottom surface of the transducer. The two side planes are the surfaces of the transducer located between the front side plane and the rear side plane.

[0030] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the first positioning part includes a first positioning plane;

[0031] The transducer has a bottom surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane and a rear side plane located between the bottom surface of the transducer and the acoustic wave emitting plane, the rear side plane facing the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0032] When the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the first positioning plane is connected to the rear plane of the transducer to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer.

[0033] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the positioning structure is integrally connected to the transducer using a packaging process;

[0034] The first positioning part further includes a stepped plane that forms a stepped structure with the second positioning plane. The stepped plane is connected to the first positioning plane, and the height of the stepped plane is lower than the height of the sound wave emitting plane.

[0035] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the positioning structure has a first side facing opposite to the sound wave emitting plane, and the flexible circuit board has a second side facing the same as the sound wave emitting plane, with the first side and the second side connected.

[0036] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the first positioning part includes a first positioning plane;

[0037] The transducer has a bottom surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane and a front side plane located between the bottom surface of the transducer and the acoustic wave emitting plane, the front side plane facing away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0038] When the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the first positioning plane is connected to the front side plane to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer.

[0039] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the first positioning part further includes a third plane that forms a predetermined angle with the first positioning plane;

[0040] The third plane is connected to the bottom surface of the transducer; or...

[0041] During the assembly of the first positioning part with the transducer, the third plane makes limiting contact with the bottom surface of the transducer, and the transducer can move along the third plane toward the first positioning plane to guide the first positioning plane to connect with the front side plane.

[0042] Optionally, in the above-mentioned transvascular ultrasound probe, the positioning structure is integrally connected to the transducer using a packaging process;

[0043] The positioning structure is formed by solidification of liquid nylon or liquid modified nylon.

[0044] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the transvascular ultrasound probe provided by this utility model, when the first positioning part of the positioning structure cooperates with the transducer, can achieve the function of limiting the circumferential position of the positioning structure and the transducer through the solid structure, thereby calibrating the position of the positioning structure and the transducer. Furthermore, when the second positioning part of the positioning structure cooperates with the catheter, it can achieve the function of limiting the circumferential position of the positioning structure and the catheter through the solid structure, thereby calibrating the position of the positioning structure and the catheter. That is, the circumferential position of the transducer and the catheter is calibrated through the solid structure (the first and second positioning parts of the positioning structure). Moreover, when the first positioning part of the positioning structure cooperates with the transducer to complete the position calibration of the positioning structure and the transducer, the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer is achieved; when the second positioning part of the positioning structure cooperates with the catheter to complete the position calibration of the positioning structure and the catheter, the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter is achieved, thus realizing the operation of indirectly achieving the circumferential positioning of the transducer and the catheter through the positioning structure. The transvascular ultrasound probe provided by this invention achieves circumferential positioning and calibration of the transducer and catheter through a positioning structure. Compared with manual observation calibration, calibration through the above-mentioned physical structure can effectively improve calibration accuracy and reduce the difficulty of manual operation. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for additional positioning components for the transducer and catheter, facilitating the assembly of the transvascular ultrasound probe. Attached Figure Description

[0045] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transvascular ultrasound probe provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a first transvascular ultrasound probe for removing acoustic lenses, provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the first transvascular ultrasound probe with acoustic lens removal provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the left-side structure of the first transvascular ultrasound probe for removing the acoustic lens, provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0050] Figure 5A three-dimensional structural diagram of the first positioning structure and transducer provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0051] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the first positioning structure and transducer provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0052] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the transducer provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0053] Figure 8 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the acoustic lens provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0054] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the catheter provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0055] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the left side of the first type of catheter provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0056] Figure 11 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the first positioning structure provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0057] Figure 12 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a second transvascular ultrasound probe for removing acoustic lenses provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0058] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a second transvascular ultrasound probe with a removed acoustic lens, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the left-side structure of the second transvascular ultrasound probe for removing the acoustic lens, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the second positioning structure and its cooperation with the catheter provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0061] Figure 16 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the second positioning structure and transducer provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0062] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the second positioning structure and the left view of the transducer provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0063] Figure 18 This is a front view schematic diagram of the second positioning structure and transducer provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0064] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the left-hand structure of the second type of catheter provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 20 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the second positioning structure provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0066] Figure 21 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a third type of transvascular ultrasound probe for removing acoustic lenses, provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0067] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a third transvascular ultrasound probe for removing the acoustic lens, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 23 A schematic diagram of the left-side structure of the third type of transvascular ultrasound probe for removing the acoustic lens provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 24 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the third positioning structure and the catheter provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0070] Figure 25 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the third positioning structure and transducer provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0071] Figure 26 A front view schematic diagram of the third positioning structure and transducer provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0072] Figure 27 A schematic diagram of the left-side structure of the third type of catheter provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0073] Figure 28 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the third positioning structure provided in the embodiment of this utility model.

[0074] in,

[0075] Figures 1 to 28 In the middle, there are: conduit-100, guide hole-120, deflection component-130, acoustic lens-200, corresponding part-210, transducer-300, transducer body-310, rear side plane-311, transducer bottom surface-312, front side plane-313, sound wave emitting plane-314, and flexible circuit board-320.

[0076] Figures 2 to 11 In the middle, the reference plane is -110, the first positioning structure is -400, the first positioning part is -401, the second positioning part is -402, the second positioning plane is -410, the first positioning plane is -420, and the stepped plane is -430.

[0077] Figures 12 to 20In the middle, the reference plane is -150, the second positioning structure is -500, the first positioning part is -501, the second positioning part is -502, the second positioning plane is -510, the first positioning plane is -520, the first plane is -530, and the arc-shaped mating surface is -540.

[0078] Figures 21 to 28 In the middle, the reference plane is -160, the third positioning structure is -600, the first positioning part is -601, the second positioning part is -602, the second positioning plane is -610, the first positioning plane is -620, the axial positioning surface is -640, the first circumferential limiting surface is -650, the third plane is -660, and the second circumferential limiting surface is -670. Detailed Implementation

[0079] This utility model discloses a transvascular ultrasound probe to improve accuracy and reduce difficulty.

[0080] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0081] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment of the present invention provides a transvascular ultrasound probe, including a transducer 300, a catheter 100, and a positioning structure. The transducer 300 includes a transducer body 310 having a sound wave emitting plane 314 and a flexible circuit board 320 connected to the transducer body 310. The transducer body 310 may include multiple stacked layer structures, such as a matching layer, a piezoelectric layer, and a backing layer. The flexible circuit board 320 may be connected to the side of the transducer body 310 facing away from the sound wave emitting plane 314, so that the multiple layer structures of the transducer body 310 are stacked with a portion of the flexible circuit board 320. The area of ​​the flexible circuit board 320 not stacked with the transducer body 310 can be a signal input terminal or a signal output terminal to facilitate connection with the main body of the ultrasound device.

[0082] During the use of a transvascular ultrasound probe, the orientation of the acoustic emission plane 314 of the transducer 300 can be adjusted via the catheter 100, thereby adjusting the emission direction of the ultrasound waves from the transducer 300. To ensure accurate matching between the imaging direction and the target biological structure (such as blood vessels or the heart), the circumferential position of the acoustic emission plane 314 of the transducer 300 relative to the catheter 100 needs to be calibrated. A reference plane can be set on the catheter 100, and the calibration of the transducer 300 and the catheter 100 can be completed when the reference plane of the catheter 100 and the acoustic emission plane 314 of the transducer 300 meet preset conditions (such as alignment).

[0083] The positioning structure can have a first positioning part that can cooperate with the transducer 300 and a second positioning part that can cooperate with the conduit 100; wherein, the first positioning part is connected to the transducer 300 to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300; the second positioning part is connected to the conduit 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit 100. That is, when the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer 300 and the second positioning part is engaged with the conduit 100, the reference plane of the conduit 100 and the acoustic wave emission plane 314 of the transducer 300 can satisfy preset conditions.

[0084] The transvascular ultrasound probe provided in this embodiment of the invention, when the first positioning part of the positioning structure is engaged with the transducer 300, can restrict the circumferential position of the positioning structure and the transducer 300 through a solid structure, thereby achieving a positional calibration function for the positioning structure and the transducer 300. Furthermore, when the second positioning part of the positioning structure is engaged with the catheter 100, it can restrict the circumferential position of the positioning structure and the catheter 100 through a solid structure, thereby achieving a positional calibration function for the positioning structure and the catheter 100. In other words, the circumferential position of the transducer 300 and the catheter 100 is calibrated through the solid structure (the first and second positioning parts of the positioning structure). Furthermore, when the first positioning part of the positioning structure cooperates with the transducer 300 to complete the position calibration of the positioning structure and the transducer 300, circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300 is achieved. Similarly, when the second positioning part of the positioning structure cooperates with the catheter 100 to complete the position calibration of the positioning structure and the catheter 100, circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter 100 is achieved. This allows for indirect circumferential positioning of the transducer 300 and the catheter 100 through the positioning structure. The transvascular ultrasound probe provided in this embodiment achieves circumferential positioning and calibration of the transducer 300 and the catheter 100 through the positioning structure. Compared with manual observation calibration, calibration using the aforementioned physical structure effectively improves calibration accuracy and reduces the difficulty of manual operation. Moreover, no additional positioning components for the transducer 300 and the catheter 100 are required, facilitating the assembly of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0085] To reduce the impact on ultrasound imaging performance, the obstruction of the acoustic wave emitting plane by physical components can be minimized. In some embodiments, the first positioning part can be connected to a surface of the transducer 300 other than the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure with the transducer 300. It is understood that the transducer body 310 can be a rectangular structure, with at least one surface having the acoustic wave emitting plane 314, and the other surfaces of the transducer 300 (surfaces of the transducer body 310 other than the acoustic wave emitting plane 314) can be adjacent to or opposite to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. By connecting the first positioning part to the other surfaces of the transducer 300, the first positioning part does not obstruct the acoustic wave emitting plane 314, thereby effectively reducing the impact on the ultrasound imaging performance of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0086] The other surfaces of the transducer 300 (surfaces of the transducer body 310 other than the acoustic emission plane 314) may include a bottom surface 312 facing away from the acoustic emission plane 314, a rear plane 311 and a front plane 313 located between the bottom surface 312 and the acoustic emission plane 314. The front plane 313 is positioned opposite to the rear plane 311 and faces away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe. It is understood that the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe is the end of the transvascular ultrasound probe furthest from the transducer 300. The operator can transmit the information to the transducer 300 through the catheter 100 by operating the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe to perform corresponding operations. The first positioning part can be directly connected to the transducer 300, or it can be indirectly connected to the transducer 300.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first positioning surface of the first positioning part is used to connect with at least one of the transducer bottom surface 312, the front side plane 313, and the rear side plane 311. That is, by connecting the first positioning surface with at least one of the transducer bottom surface 312, the front side plane 313, and the rear side plane 311, a direct connection between the first positioning part and the transducer 300 is achieved. The first positioning part is connected to other surfaces of the transducer body 310 (at least one of the transducer bottom surface 312, the front side plane 313, and the rear side plane 311) through the first positioning surface to achieve circumferential positioning of the first positioning part and the transducer 300.

[0088] Since the transducer 300 includes a transducer body 310 having an acoustic wave emitting plane 314 and a flexible circuit board 320 connected to the transducer body 310, the bottom surface 312 of the transducer can be the side of the flexible circuit board 320 facing away from the transducer body 310, and the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 is the side of the transducer body 310 facing away from the flexible circuit board 320.

[0089] The first positioning surface can be fixedly connected to one of the transducer bottom surface 312, front side plane 313 and rear side plane 311 to achieve circumferential positioning of the first positioning part and the transducer 300.

[0090] Taking the positioning connection between the first positioning surface and the bottom surface 312 of the transducer as an example, the positioning structure can be directly machined onto the corresponding position of the transducer 300 through injection molding or encapsulation, so that the first positioning part forms a first positioning surface that is positioned and connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. That is, the first positioning surface is directly injection molded onto the bottom surface 312 of the transducer and connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer to play a positioning and connection role. Alternatively, the positioning structure can be machined independently to form the first positioning surface during the machining process, and the first positioning surface is positioned and connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer through adhesive bonding, hot melt, or other connection methods.

[0091] Alternatively, the first positioning part can be connected to the transducer 300 not through the first positioning surface, but through other surfaces or structures to the conduit 100. In embodiments where the first positioning part has a first positioning surface, the first positioning surface is not fixedly connected to the transducer 300, and the first positioning surface can be made to make limiting contact with one of the transducer bottom surface 312, front side plane 313 and rear side plane 311.

[0092] Taking the limiting contact between the first positioning surface and the bottom surface 312 of the transducer as an example, the positioning structure is machined so that the first positioning part has a first positioning surface. The first positioning surface can make surface-to-surface contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, thereby playing a limiting role. The above-mentioned surface-to-surface contact structure can play a guiding role in the assembly process, so as to facilitate the relative assembly of the positioning structure and the transducer 300. Among them, the direction of limiting can be circumferential limiting. Furthermore, since the first positioning part can realize the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300, the positioning structure and the transducer 300 can be circumferentially limited by the surface-to-surface contact of the first positioning surface with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. Then, the positioning structure and the transducer 300 can be fixedly connected by other structures of the first positioning part, thereby achieving the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300. That is, the first positioning part is directly connected to the transducer 300. The first positioning surface can be used for circumferential positioning. Combined with other structures of the first positioning part (such as connecting surfaces adjacent to or opposite to the first positioning surface) and the transducer 300 (such as one of the transducer bottom surface 312, front side plane 313 and rear side plane 311), it ensures that the first positioning part is directly connected to the transducer 300 and that the positioning structure and the transducer 300 are circumferentially positioned.

[0093] The positioning structure (first positioning part) can also be indirectly connected to the transducer 300. Taking the first positioning part having a first positioning surface as an example, the first positioning surface can make surface-to-surface contact with one of the surfaces of the transducer 300 (such as the bottom surface 312, the front plane 313, and the rear plane 311 of the transducer), that is, the first positioning part is circumferentially limited to the transducer 300 through the first positioning surface. Furthermore, the first positioning part and the transducer 300 are indirectly connected by direct or indirect fixed connection with other components (such as the acoustic lens 200 below). That is, the positioning structure (the first positioning part or other parts of the positioning structure) is fixedly connected to the acoustic lens 200, and the transducer 300 is fixedly connected to the acoustic lens 200, thereby realizing the indirect connection between the positioning structure (first positioning part) and the transducer 300. During assembly, the transducer 300 and / or the positioning structure can be connected to other components while the first positioning surface is in contact with the surface of the transducer 300. This allows the positioning structure (first positioning part) to be indirectly connected to the transducer 300, and enables circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300.

[0094] In some embodiments, the transvascular ultrasound probe may further include an acoustic lens 200, which is connected to the transducer 300 and the catheter 100. The acoustic lens 200 can serve as a component connecting the transducer 300 and the catheter 100; that is, the transducer 300 and the catheter 100 may not be directly connected, but are connected through the transducer 300 to the acoustic lens 200 and the catheter 100 to the acoustic lens 200. Alternatively, any two of the acoustic lens 200, transducer 300, and catheter 100 may be connected; that is, the acoustic lens 200 is connected to the transducer 300, the acoustic lens 200 is connected to the catheter 100, and the transducer 300 is connected to the catheter 100. The specific connection method can be at least one of heat fusion, potting, bonding, or sealing, etc., without specific limitations and all are within the scope of protection.

[0095] Furthermore, the acoustic lens 200 and the conduit 100 form a cavity to accommodate the transducer 300. The acoustic lens 200 can be made of nylon or modified nylon, etc. The acoustic lens 200 functions to focus and image by controlling the propagation characteristics of the sound waves emitted from the sound wave emitting plane 314. Because the acoustic lens 200 and the conduit 100 form a cavity to accommodate the transducer 300, the sound waves emitted from the sound wave emitting plane 314 can be controlled by the acoustic lens 200 to be emitted towards the target biological structure, thereby achieving the corresponding functions.

[0096] It is understandable that the positioning structure can be located within the cavity formed by the acoustic lens 200 and the catheter 100. Due to the limitations of clinical use characteristics of transvascular ultrasound probes (taking intracardiac ultrasound probes as an example, due to the limited internal space of the cardiac cavity, the transducer 300 and catheter 100 of the intracardiac ultrasound probe need to pass through blood vessels to enter the cardiac cavity; therefore, the intracardiac ultrasound probe needs to be miniaturized), the size of the transvascular ultrasound probe is limited and the smaller the better. Therefore, in this embodiment, the positioning structure is located within the cavity formed by the acoustic lens 200 and the catheter 100. Compared with the prior art, which requires adding structural components (long cylindrical needle-like structures, long plate structures, etc.) outside the transducer to achieve the installation and positioning of the transducer and catheter, the positioning structure is located within the cavity formed by the acoustic lens 200 and the catheter 100 and does not require increasing the external dimensions of the transvascular ultrasound probe, thus facilitating the miniaturization design of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0097] The acoustic lens 200 can be made to cooperate with the positioning structure to achieve circumferential positioning of the acoustic lens 200 and the transducer 300. Specifically, the inner wall of the acoustic lens 200 can have a circumferential limiting surface of the acoustic lens, and the circumferential limiting surface of the acoustic lens can contact the corresponding outer circumferential surface of the positioning structure (the side facing the circumferential limiting surface of the acoustic lens) to achieve circumferential positioning of the acoustic lens 200 and the transducer 300.

[0098] The acoustic lens 200 can also be coupled with the positioning structure to achieve axial positioning of the acoustic lens 200 and the transducer 300. Specifically, the inner wall of the acoustic lens 200 can have an axial limiting surface, which contacts the corresponding end face of the positioning structure (facing away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe) to achieve axial positioning of the acoustic lens 200 and the transducer 300.

[0099] like Figure 8 As shown, the acoustic lens 200 has a corresponding part 210. When the acoustic lens 200 and the transducer 300 are positioned circumferentially and axially, the corresponding part 210 is provided correspondingly to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314.

[0100] In some embodiments, the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure are relatively independent. That is, the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure can be fabricated separately and assembled into the transvascular ultrasound probe, such that the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure can be in relative contact or completely out of contact. In this embodiment, the positioning structure can be located within the cavity.

[0101] In other embodiments, the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure are an integral part of each other. The acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure can be integrally formed through processes such as injection molding and encapsulation. In this embodiment, the positioning structure is directly integrally formed with the acoustic lens 200 and then assembled with the conduit 100. This allows the integrally formed structure of the positioning structure and the acoustic lens 200 to directly pass through the conduit 100 (e.g., exiting the conduit 100 from a direction away from the operating end). The outer surface of the integrally formed structure of the positioning structure and the acoustic lens 200 has a second positioning part for cooperating with the conduit 100, thereby achieving circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit 100.

[0102] The transvascular ultrasound probe provided in this embodiment has an acoustic lens 200 made of a material with the same elastic modulus as the positioning structure. This design ensures that the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure experience consistent stress release, thereby guaranteeing a tight seal during use.

[0103] It also allows the elastic modulus of the material used to manufacture the catheter 100 to be consistent with that of the material used to manufacture the positioning structure. Similarly, by ensuring that the elastic modulus of the material used to manufacture the catheter 100 and the material used to manufacture the positioning structure are consistent, the stress release of the catheter 100 and the positioning structure can be consistent, thereby ensuring the sealing effect of the transvascular ultrasound probe during use.

[0104] Of course, it is also possible to make only the elastic modulus of the materials used to manufacture the conduit 100 and the positioning structure the same, while the elastic modulus of the materials used to manufacture the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure are different; or, only the elastic modulus of the materials used to manufacture the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure is the same, while the elastic modulus of the materials used to manufacture the conduit 100 and the positioning structure are different. The specific design depends on the actual needs, and no specific restrictions are imposed here, only the sealing requirements need to be met.

[0105] In some embodiments, the positioning structure is made of nylon or modified nylon. The acoustic lens 200 and / or the conduit 100 are also made of nylon or modified nylon. That is, the acoustic lens 200 and / or the conduit 100 can be made of the same material as the positioning structure to ensure that the elastic modulus of the acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure are consistent, or that the elastic modulus of the conduit 100 and the positioning structure are consistent. Alternatively, different materials can be selected to make the positioning structure and the acoustic lens 200 (and / or the positioning structure and the conduit 100), as long as the elastic modulus is consistent.

[0106] Taking the example that the elastic modulus of the material used to manufacture the acoustic lens 200 is the same as that used to manufacture the positioning structure, the material used to manufacture the acoustic lens 200 is bio-grade modified nylon, polyurethane, silicone, etc. The acoustic lens 200 and the positioning structure can be made of the same material (e.g., modified nylon), or they can be made of different materials (e.g., the acoustic lens 200 is made of silicone, etc.).

[0107] Similarly, the material used to manufacture the catheter 100 can be bio-grade nylon or modified nylon. In embodiments where the elastic modulus of the material used to manufacture the catheter 100 is the same as that used to manufacture the positioning structure, the materials used to manufacture the catheter 100 and the positioning structure can be the same (e.g., nylon or modified nylon), or they can be different.

[0108] Furthermore, the second positioning part can be directly connected to the transducer 300, or it can be indirectly connected to the transducer 300.

[0109] In some embodiments, the second positioning part includes a second positioning plane. When the second positioning part is engaged with the conduit 100, the second positioning plane connects to the reference surface of the conduit 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit 100. Direct connection between the second positioning part and the conduit 100 is achieved through the connection of the second positioning plane to the reference surface of the conduit 100. That is, the second positioning part and the conduit 100 are connected through a surface-to-surface engagement (the second positioning plane and the reference surface of the conduit 100) to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit 100. The positioning structure can be directly machined onto the corresponding position of the conduit 100 by injection molding or sealing, so that the second positioning part forms a second positioning plane that is positioned and connected to the reference surface of the conduit 100. In other words, the second positioning surface is directly injection molded onto the reference surface of the conduit 100 and connected to the reference surface of the conduit 100 to perform the positioning connection function. Alternatively, the positioning structure can be machined independently, forming the second positioning surface during the machining process. The second positioning surface is then positioned and connected to the reference surface of the conduit 100 by adhesive bonding, hot melting, or other connection methods.

[0110] Alternatively, the second positioning part can be connected to the conduit 100 not through the second positioning surface, but through other surfaces or structures. In embodiments where the second positioning part has a second positioning surface, the second positioning surface and the conduit 100 are not fixedly connected. The second positioning surface can make limiting contact with the reference surface of the conduit when the second positioning part is engaged with the conduit. Specifically, the positioning structure is machined so that the second positioning part has a second positioning surface, which can make surface-to-surface contact with the reference surface of the conduit 100, thereby providing a limiting function. This surface-to-surface contact can guide the assembly process, facilitating the relative assembly of the positioning structure and the conduit. The limiting direction can be circumferential. Furthermore, since the second positioning part can achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit, based on the surface-to-surface contact between the second positioning surface and the reference surface of the conduit 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the structure and the conduit 100, and further through other structures of the second positioning part to achieve a fixed connection between the positioning structure and the conduit 100, the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit is thus achieved. That is, the second positioning part is directly connected to the conduit 100. The second positioning surface can play the role of circumferential limiting. Combined with other structures of the second positioning part (such as connecting surfaces adjacent to or opposite to the second positioning surface) and the connection with the conduit 100, it ensures that the second positioning part is directly connected to the conduit 100 and can achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit 100.

[0111] The positioning structure (second positioning part) can also be indirectly connected to the conduit 100. Taking the second positioning part having a second positioning surface as an example, the second positioning surface can engage with the reference surface of the conduit 100, that is, the second positioning part engages with the conduit 100 circumferentially through the second positioning surface. Furthermore, the second positioning part and the conduit 100 are indirectly connected by direct or indirect fixed connection with other components (such as the acoustic lens 200 below). That is, the positioning structure (the second positioning part or other parts of the positioning structure) is fixedly connected to the acoustic lens 200, and the conduit 100 is fixedly connected to the acoustic lens 200, thereby achieving an indirect connection between the positioning structure (second positioning part) and the conduit 100. During assembly, the conduit 100 and / or the positioning structure can be connected to other components while the second positioning surface is in engagement with the reference surface of the conduit 100, thereby achieving an indirect connection between the positioning structure (second positioning part) and the conduit 100, and enabling circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the conduit 100.

[0112] In some embodiments, when the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer 300, the second positioning plane is parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. That is, when the second positioning plane is engaged with the reference plane of the conduit 100, the second positioning plane and the reference plane of the conduit 100 are in surface-to-surface contact such that the second positioning plane and the reference plane of the conduit 100 are relatively parallel, while the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 is parallel to the reference plane of the conduit 100. In other words, when the positioning structure connects the positioning transducer 300 and the conduit 100, any two of the reference plane of the conduit 100, the second positioning plane, and the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 are relatively parallel, avoiding the two planes having an included angle, which would increase the design difficulty and further improve the accuracy of calibration.

[0113] like Figures 2-11 As shown, in the first embodiment, the positioning structure is a first positioning structure 400. The first positioning structure 400 has a first positioning part 401 that can cooperate with the transducer 300 and a second positioning part 402 that can cooperate with the conduit 100. The second positioning plane 410 of the second positioning part 402 is parallel to the sound wave emitting plane 314 (e.g., ...). Figure 6 and Figure 7 (As shown).

[0114] In other embodiments, when the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer 300, the second positioning plane forms a predetermined angle with the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. The predetermined angle can be set according to actual needs. For example, using the existing structure of the catheter 100 as a reference plane, when the positioning structure connects the positioning transducer 300 and the catheter 100, the reference plane of the catheter 100 forms a predetermined angle with the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. To ensure that the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 forms a predetermined angle during the assembly process of the transvascular ultrasound probe provided in this application embodiment, the second positioning plane can be made to form a predetermined angle with the acoustic wave emitting plane 314.

[0115] like Figures 12-20 As shown, in the second embodiment, the positioning structure is a second positioning structure 500, which has a first positioning part 501 that can cooperate with the transducer 300 and a second positioning part 502 that can cooperate with the conduit 100. The first positioning part 501 includes a first positioning plane 520; the transducer 300 has a transducer bottom surface 312 facing away from the sound wave emitting plane 314.

[0116] In this configuration, when the first positioning part 501 is engaged with the transducer 300, the first positioning plane 520 is connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer 300 to achieve circumferential positioning of the second positioning structure 500 and the transducer 300. Specifically, the first positioning part 501 and the bottom surface 312 of the transducer 300 are connected surface-to-surface (first positioning plane 520 and bottom surface 312 of the transducer) to achieve circumferential positioning of the second positioning structure 500 and the transducer 300.

[0117] Since the first positioning part 501 is connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer 300, the second positioning structure 500 can be located on the side of the transducer 300 facing away from the sound wave emitting plane 314, so as to avoid the solid structure of the second positioning structure 500 from obstructing the sound waves emitted by the sound wave emitting plane 314.

[0118] Furthermore, the second positioning part 502 includes a second positioning plane 510.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first positioning plane 520 and the second positioning plane 510 form a predetermined angle. For example... Figure 20 As shown, in this embodiment, the first positioning plane 520 and the second positioning plane 510 are perpendicular to each other, that is, the predetermined included angle is 90°.

[0120] Since the first positioning plane 520 is connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer 300, in embodiments where the transducer 300 has a rectangular structure (a layered structure formed by stacking a matching layer, a piezoelectric layer, and a backing layer), the bottom surface 312 of the transducer can be parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. Because the first positioning plane 520 is in surface-to-surface contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, the first positioning plane 520 is parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. Furthermore, the second positioning plane 510 forms a predetermined angle with the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. In this embodiment, the second positioning plane 510 and the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 (bottom surface 312 of the transducer) can be relatively perpendicular.

[0121] When the transducer 300 has other structures (such as a triangular prism or other structures), there is a structure in which the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 and the bottom surface 312 of the transducer form a predetermined angle. Since the first positioning plane 520 is in contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, the first positioning plane 520 and the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 form a predetermined angle.

[0122] like Figure 19 As shown, the inner wall of the catheter 100 has a raised structure, wherein at least one surface of the raised structure is a reference surface 150 of the catheter 100. Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15As shown, when the second positioning part 502 is engaged with the conduit 100, the second positioning plane 510 is connected to the reference plane 150 of the conduit 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the second positioning structure 500 and the conduit 100. The first positioning plane 520 is in a horizontal state, and the second positioning plane 510 and the reference plane 150 of the conduit 100 are vertically arranged.

[0123] When the second positioning part 502 is engaged with the catheter 100, the second positioning plane is connected to the reference plane of the catheter 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter 100.

[0124] In some embodiments, when the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer 300, the first positioning plane 520 is parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. Since the first positioning plane 520 is connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer 300, taking the transducer 300 as a rectangular structure (a layered structure formed by stacking a matching layer, a piezoelectric layer, and a backing layer) as an example, the bottom surface 312 of the transducer can be parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. Since the first positioning plane 520 is in surface-to-surface contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, the first positioning plane 520 is parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314.

[0125] In other embodiments, when the first positioning part 501 is engaged with the transducer 300, the first positioning plane 520 forms a predetermined angle with the sound wave emitting plane 314. This embodiment can be adapted to a non-rectangular structure of the transducer 300, with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer forming a predetermined angle with the sound wave emitting plane 314, so that the first positioning plane 520 forms a predetermined angle with the sound wave emitting plane 314.

[0126] like Figure 20 As shown, the first positioning part 501 may further include a first plane 530 that forms a predetermined angle with the first positioning plane 520; the transducer 300 also has a rear side plane 311 and a front side plane 313 located between the bottom surface 312 of the transducer and the sound wave emitting plane 314, the front side plane 313 and the rear side plane 311 are arranged opposite to each other and the front side plane 313 faces away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0127] In some embodiments, the first plane 530 is connected to at least one of the two side planes of the transducer 300, wherein the two side planes are the surfaces of the transducer 300 located between the front side plane 313 and the rear side plane 311. That is, by adding the first plane 530, the first positioning part 501 has at least two surfaces (the first positioning plane 520 and the first plane 530) connected to the transducer 300. The first positioning plane 520 is connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, and the first plane 530 is connected to the two side planes of the transducer 300, which effectively improves the connection stability between the first positioning part 501 and the transducer 300, thereby improving the positioning effect.

[0128] In other embodiments, the first plane 530 can make limiting contact with at least one of the two side planes of the transducer 300. During the assembly of the first positioning part 501 with the transducer 300, the first plane 530 makes limiting contact with at least one of the two side planes of the transducer 300. While maintaining the limiting contact between the first plane 530 and the two side planes of the transducer 300, the transducer 300 can move along the first plane 530 toward the first positioning plane 520 to guide the first positioning plane 520 to connect with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, wherein the two side planes are the surfaces of the transducer located between the front side plane and the rear side plane.

[0129] The first positioning part 501 may also have a first plane 530 located on both sides of the transducer 300, and the first plane 530 may be connected to the first positioning plane 520 by an arc transition. This makes the first positioning part 501 form a "U"-shaped groove structure, and the transducer 300 is located within the "U"-shaped groove structure. That is, when the second positioning structure 500 connects the conduit 100 and the transducer 300, the first plane 530 may make limiting contact or connection with the side wall of the transducer 300 to improve the positioning effect.

[0130] Furthermore, the outer wall of the second positioning structure 500 can mate with the inner wall of the acoustic lens 200 to improve the stability of the second positioning structure 500 within the cavity formed by the acoustic lens 200 and the conduit 100, thereby improving the stability of the transducer 300 within the cavity. Figure 20 As shown, the outer wall of the second positioning structure 500 has an arc-shaped mating surface 540. When the second positioning structure 500 is assembled with the acoustic lens 200, the arc-shaped mating surface 540 is mated and connected with the inner wall of the acoustic lens 200.

[0131] like Figures 2-12 As shown, in the first embodiment, the positioning structure is a first positioning structure 400, which has a first positioning part 401 that can cooperate with the transducer 300 and a second positioning part 402 that can cooperate with the catheter 100. The first positioning part 401 includes a first positioning plane 420; the transducer 300 has a transducer bottom surface 312 facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 and a rear side plane 311 located between the transducer bottom surface 312 and the acoustic wave emitting plane 314, with the rear side plane 311 facing the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0132] In the state where the first positioning part 401 cooperates with the transducer 300, the first positioning plane 420 is connected to the rear plane 311 of the transducer 300 to achieve circumferential positioning of the first positioning structure 400 and the transducer 300. That is, the first positioning part 401 and the rear plane 311 of the transducer 300 are connected surface to surface (first positioning plane 420 and rear plane 311) to achieve circumferential positioning of the first positioning structure 400 and the transducer 300.

[0133] Furthermore, the second positioning portion 402 includes a second positioning plane 410. In some embodiments, the first positioning plane 420 and the second positioning plane 410 may form a predetermined angle. Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the first positioning plane 420 and the second positioning plane 410 are perpendicular to each other, that is, the predetermined included angle is 90°. Since the first positioning plane 420 is connected to the rear side plane 311 of the transducer 300, in the embodiment where the transducer 300 is a rectangular structure (a layered structure formed by stacking a matching layer, a piezoelectric layer and a backing layer), the rear side plane 311 can be perpendicular to the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. Since the first positioning plane 420 and the rear side plane 311 are in surface contact, the second positioning plane 410 and the acoustic wave emitting plane 314 can be relatively parallel.

[0134] like Figure 10 As shown, the inner wall of catheter 100 has a platform structure, wherein the plane of the platform structure is the reference plane 110 of catheter 100. Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, when the second positioning part 402 is engaged with the conduit 100, the second positioning plane 410 is connected to the reference plane 110 of the conduit 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the first positioning structure 400 and the conduit 100. The first positioning plane 420 is in a vertical state, and the second positioning plane 410 is horizontally positioned with respect to the reference plane 110 of the conduit 100.

[0135] When the second positioning part 402 is engaged with the conduit 100, the second positioning plane 410 is connected to the reference plane 110 of the conduit 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the first positioning structure 400 and the conduit 100.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first positioning structure 400 is integrally connected to the transducer 300 using a packaging process.

[0137] During the encapsulation process of the first positioning structure 400, a potting cavity is formed at the corresponding position of the transducer 300. Fluid is filled into the potting cavity, and after solidification, the first positioning structure 400 is formed. To prevent the filled fluid from overflowing onto the sound wave emitting plane 314, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 6As shown, the first positioning part 401 also includes a stepped plane 430 that has a stepped structure with the second positioning plane 410. The stepped plane 430 is connected to the first positioning plane 420, and the height of the stepped plane 430 is lower than the height of the sound wave emitting plane 314. By setting the stepped plane 430, the fluid in the potting cavity can flow and fill in a direction close to the transducer body 310. Furthermore, the design structure of the potting cavity corresponding to the stepped plane 430 (the inner wall of the cavity) guides the fluid in a direction away from the sound wave emitting plane 314. Figure 6 The fluid flows downwards, allowing it to be blocked by the rear side plane 311, thus preventing it from overflowing to the sound wave emitting plane 314.

[0138] Of course, the first positioning structure 400 can also be formed by milling or separate filling, and the connection between the first positioning structure 400 and the transducer 300 can be achieved by assembly.

[0139] like Figure 4 As shown, the first positioning structure 400 has an arc-shaped surface that engages with the arc-shaped inner wall of the catheter 100 to improve the connection stability between the first positioning structure 400 and the catheter 100.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first positioning structure 400 has a first surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane 314, and the flexible circuit board 320 has a second surface facing the same direction as the acoustic wave emitting plane 314, with the first surface and the second surface connected. That is, the second surface of the flexible circuit board 320 may face the same direction as the acoustic wave emitting plane 314. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the second side of the flexible circuit board 320 is the upward-facing side. By connecting the first side of the first positioning structure 400 to the second side of the flexible circuit board 320, the connection area between the first positioning structure 400 and the transducer 300 is increased, thereby improving the positioning effect between the first positioning structure 400 and the transducer 300.

[0141] like Figures 21-28 As shown, in the third embodiment, the positioning structure is a third positioning structure 600. The third positioning structure 600 has a first positioning part 601 that can cooperate with the transducer 300 and a second positioning part 602 that can cooperate with the catheter 100. The first positioning part 601 includes a first positioning plane 620; the transducer 300 has a transducer bottom surface 312 facing away from the sound wave emitting plane 314 and a front side plane 313 located between the transducer bottom surface 312 and the sound wave emitting plane 314, and the front side plane 313 faces away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe.

[0142] Among them, such as Figure 26As shown, when the first positioning part 601 is engaged with the transducer 300, the first positioning plane 620 is connected to the front plane 313 to achieve circumferential positioning of the third positioning structure 600 and the transducer 300. That is, the first positioning part 601 and the front plane 313 of the transducer 300 are connected surface-to-surface (first positioning plane 620 and front plane 313) to achieve circumferential positioning of the third positioning structure 600 and the transducer 300.

[0143] Furthermore, the second positioning part 602 includes a second positioning plane 610. For example... Figure 27 As shown, the inner wall of the conduit 100 has a groove structure, wherein at least one groove of the groove structure has an inner wall that is a reference surface 160 of the conduit 100. Figure 24 As shown, when the second positioning part 602 is engaged with the conduit 100, the second positioning plane 610 is connected to the reference plane 160 of the conduit 100 to achieve circumferential positioning of the first positioning structure 400 and the conduit 100.

[0144] like Figure 23 , Figure 26 and Figure 28 As shown, the third positioning structure 600 also has a first circumferential limiting surface 650 and a second circumferential limiting surface 670. The first circumferential limiting surface 650 and the second circumferential limiting surface 670 can be perpendicular to each other. The inner wall of the acoustic lens 200 has circumferential limiting surfaces corresponding to the first circumferential limiting surface 650 and the second circumferential limiting surface 670. Through the cooperation of the acoustic lens circumferential limiting surfaces with the first circumferential limiting surface 650 and the second circumferential limiting surface 670, the acoustic lens 200 and the transducer 300 are positioned circumferentially. Of course, only the first circumferential limiting surface 650 or the second circumferential limiting surface 670 can be provided.

[0145] like Figure 23 and Figure 26 As shown, the third positioning structure 600 also has an axial positioning surface 640, which allows the inner wall of the acoustic lens 200 to have an acoustic lens axial limiting surface. The acoustic lens axial limiting surface contacts the axial positioning surface 640 to achieve axial positioning of the acoustic lens 200 and the transducer 300.

[0146] like Figure 28 As shown, in this embodiment, the first positioning plane 620 and the second positioning plane 610 are connected at a predetermined angle. Specifically, the first positioning plane 620 and the second positioning plane 610 can be perpendicular to each other. Of course, the first positioning plane 620 and the second positioning plane 610 can also be at other angles, which are not specifically limited here and are all within the scope of protection.

[0147] like Figure 24 and Figure 28As shown, the first positioning part 601 also includes a third plane 660 that forms a predetermined angle with the first positioning plane 620.

[0148] The third plane 660 can be connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. The positioning structure can be directly machined onto the corresponding position of the transducer 300 through injection molding or encapsulation, so that the first positioning part forms the third plane 660, which is directly injection molded onto and connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, thus serving a positioning and connection function. Alternatively, the positioning structure can be machined independently to form the third plane 660 during the manufacturing process, and the third plane 660 is then positioned and connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer through adhesive bonding, hot-melt bonding, or other connection methods.

[0149] That is, by adding a third plane 660, the first positioning part 601 has at least two surfaces (the first positioning plane 620 and the third plane 660) that are connected to the transducer 300. The first positioning plane 620 is connected to the front plane 313, and the third plane 660 is connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. This effectively improves the connection stability between the first positioning part 601 and the transducer 300, thereby improving the positioning effect.

[0150] In other embodiments, the third plane 660 may also be able to make limiting contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. During the assembly of the first positioning part 601 and the transducer 300, the third plane 660 makes limiting contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, and the transducer 300 can move along the third plane 660 toward the first positioning plane 620 to guide the first positioning plane 620 to connect with the front plane 313.

[0151] The positioning structure can be machined to give the first positioning part a third plane 660, which can make contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, thereby providing a limiting function. This surface-to-surface contact structure can guide the assembly process, facilitating the relative assembly of the positioning structure and the transducer 300. The limiting direction can be circumferential. Furthermore, since the first positioning part can achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300, and the third plane 660 can make contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer to achieve circumferential limiting, a fixed connection between the positioning structure and the transducer 300 can be achieved through the third plane 660 or other structures of the first positioning part, thus coordinating the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300.

[0152] The third plane 660 can be connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. The positioning structure can be directly machined onto the corresponding position of the transducer 300 through injection molding or encapsulation, so that the first positioning part forms a third positioning surface 660 that is positioned and connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. That is, the third positioning surface 660 is directly injection molded onto the bottom surface 312 of the transducer and connected to it to serve a positioning and connection function. Alternatively, the positioning structure can be machined independently to form the third positioning surface 660 during the machining process, and the third positioning surface 660 is positioned and connected to the bottom surface 312 of the transducer through adhesive bonding, hot melting, or other connection methods.

[0153] This also allows the third plane 660 to make limiting contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer. That is, the machining of the positioning structure ensures that the first positioning part has a third plane 660, which can make surface-to-surface contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer, thus providing a limiting function. This surface-to-surface contact structure can guide the assembly process, facilitating the relative assembly of the positioning structure and the transducer 300. The limiting direction can be circumferential. Furthermore, since the first positioning part can achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300, the third plane 660 can make surface-to-surface contact with the bottom surface 312 of the transducer to achieve circumferential limiting of the positioning structure and the transducer 300. Then, the third plane 660 or other structures of the first positioning part can achieve a fixed connection between the positioning structure and the transducer 300, thereby coordinating the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300.

[0154] Furthermore, the third plane 660 can be parallel to the second positioning plane 610, such that the third plane 660 and the second positioning plane 610 are connected by a vertical plane perpendicular to the third plane 660, forming a transducer receiving groove with the third plane 660 and the vertical plane. The transducer 300 can be at least partially embedded in the transducer receiving groove to improve the positioning stability of the third positioning structure 600 and the transducer 300. The positioning structures (first positioning structure 400, second positioning structure 500, or third positioning structure 600) in the above different embodiments can be integrally connected with the transducer 300 using a packaging process. That is, by using an external packaging mold or other structure, its inner wall and at least one outer surface of the transducer form a cavity for filling. By injecting liquid nylon or liquid modified nylon into the cavity, it solidifies into a positioning structure under the constraint of the cavity structure. It is understandable that the first positioning part can cooperate with the transducer 300 to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer 300. In the embodiment where the positioning structure is processed by the encapsulation process, the first positioning part is the part that comes into contact with the transducer 300 during the filling process. That is, the forming of the first positioning part and its cooperation with the transducer 300 are achieved by the solidification of the liquid material in this part, which ensures the connection stability between the first positioning part and the transducer 300.

[0155] like Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 19 As shown, the conduit 100 may have a guide hole 120 through which a deflection component 130, such as a wire rope or flexible rope structure, passes to achieve four-way deflection operation.

[0156] Specifically, taking the passage of a steel wire rope through a guide hole 120 as an example, the guide hole 120 can be a channel structure set in the pipe wall of the conduit 100. There can be multiple guide holes 120 (such as four) and they are distributed along the circumference of the conduit 100. Multiple steel wire ropes can correspond one-to-one with multiple guide holes 120 and cooperate with each other to achieve four-way deflection operation.

[0157] Alternatively, the conduit 100 can have multiple guide rings located within its conduit, each guide ring having a guide hole 120. Any steel wire rope can sequentially pass through the corresponding guide holes 120 on the multiple guide rings. That is, the corresponding guide holes 120 on the multiple guide rings form a guide structure for guiding the steel wire rope, thereby enabling the steel wire rope to extend and retract within the guide structure.

[0158] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0159] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A transvascular ultrasound probe, characterized in that, include: A transducer, the transducer comprising a transducer body having a sound wave emitting plane and a flexible circuit board connected to the transducer body; catheter; A positioning structure having a first positioning part that can cooperate with the transducer and a second positioning part that can cooperate with the conduit; The first positioning part is connected to the transducer to realize the circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer; The second positioning part is connected to the catheter to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter.

2. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transducer has a bottom surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane, a rear side plane and a front side plane located between the bottom surface of the transducer and the acoustic wave emitting plane, the front side plane and the rear side plane being arranged opposite to each other and the front side plane facing away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe. The first positioning part has a first positioning surface for connecting with at least one of the bottom surface of the transducer, the front side plane and the rear side plane.

3. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transvascular ultrasound probe also has an acoustic lens; The acoustic lens is connected to the transducer and the conduit, and the acoustic lens and the conduit form a cavity to accommodate the transducer, with the positioning structure located within the cavity; or, the positioning structure and the acoustic lens are an integral structure.

4. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The material used to manufacture the acoustic lens has the same elastic modulus as the material used to manufacture the positioning structure. And / or, the material used to manufacture the catheter has the same elastic modulus as the material used to manufacture the positioning structure.

5. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second positioning part includes a second positioning plane; When the second positioning part is engaged with the catheter, the second positioning plane is connected to the reference plane of the catheter to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the catheter.

6. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 5, characterized in that, When the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the second positioning plane is parallel to the sound wave emitting plane.

7. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first positioning part includes a first positioning plane; The transducer has a bottom surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane; When the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the first positioning plane is connected to the bottom surface of the transducer to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer.

8. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first positioning plane and the second positioning plane form a predetermined angle; And / or, when the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the acoustic wave emitting plane is parallel to the bottom surface of the transducer and the first positioning plane is parallel to the acoustic wave emitting plane, or the acoustic wave emitting plane and the bottom surface of the transducer form a predetermined angle and the first positioning plane and the acoustic wave emitting plane form a predetermined angle.

9. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The first positioning part further includes a first plane that forms a predetermined angle with the first positioning plane; the transducer also has a rear side plane and a front side plane located between the bottom surface of the transducer and the sound wave emitting plane, the front side plane and the rear side plane are arranged opposite to each other and the front side plane faces away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe. The first plane is connected to at least one of the two side planes of the transducer, wherein the two side planes are the planes of the transducer located between the front side plane and the rear side plane; or, During the assembly of the first positioning part with the transducer, the first plane makes limiting contact with at least one of the two side planes of the transducer, and the transducer can move along the first plane toward the first positioning plane to guide the first positioning plane to connect with the bottom surface of the transducer. The two side planes are the surfaces of the transducer located between the front side plane and the rear side plane.

10. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first positioning part includes a first positioning plane; The transducer has a bottom surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane and a rear side plane located between the bottom surface of the transducer and the acoustic wave emitting plane, the rear side plane facing the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe. When the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the first positioning plane is connected to the rear plane of the transducer to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer.

11. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The positioning structure is integrally connected to the transducer using a packaging process. The first positioning part further includes a stepped plane that forms a stepped structure with the second positioning plane. The stepped plane is connected to the first positioning plane, and the height of the stepped plane is lower than the height of the sound wave emitting plane.

12. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The positioning structure has a first side facing opposite to the sound wave emitting plane, and the flexible circuit board has a second side facing the same as the sound wave emitting plane, with the first side and the second side connected.

13. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first positioning part includes a first positioning plane; The transducer has a bottom surface facing away from the acoustic wave emitting plane and a front side plane located between the bottom surface of the transducer and the acoustic wave emitting plane, the front side plane facing away from the operating end of the transvascular ultrasound probe. When the first positioning part is engaged with the transducer, the first positioning plane is connected to the front side plane to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning structure and the transducer.

14. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The first positioning part further includes a third plane that forms a predetermined angle with the first positioning plane; The third plane is connected to the bottom surface of the transducer; or... During the assembly of the first positioning part with the transducer, the third plane makes limiting contact with the bottom surface of the transducer, and the transducer can move along the third plane toward the first positioning plane to guide the first positioning plane to connect with the front side plane.

15. The transvascular ultrasound probe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning structure is integrally connected to the transducer using a packaging process. The positioning structure is formed by solidification of liquid nylon or liquid modified nylon.

Images