Systems with sonic visualization capability and related methods

• Main Authors: Wood, Mark D, Aquilino, Paul D, Hartman, Ryan
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.12.2020
• Subjects: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DIAGNOSIS; FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL; GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICALVIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SURGERY; TRANSPORTING

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a system for visualizing a target area may include an elongate shaft. The elongate shaft may include a distal portion, a lumen that extends longitudinally through the distal portion, and an opening at the distal end of the distal portion. The opening may be in communication with the lumen. The system also may include a visualization assembly housed within the distal portion of the elongate shaft. The visualization assembly may include a transducer array having a field of view in which the transducer array transceives sound waves. The field of view of the transducer array may cover at least part of the distal portion of the elongate shaft and the target area to facilitate visualization of the part of the distal portion of the elongate shaft and the target area.