Thomas P Gauthier

US Patent:

20100312117, Dec 9, 2010

Filed:

Nov 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/745374

Inventors:

Anna Fernandez - Falls Church VA, US
Hua Xie - Ossining VA, US
Christopher Hall - Hopewell Junction NY, US
Shunmugavelu Sokka - Brighton NY, US
Thomas Gauthier - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. - Eindhoven

International Classification:

A61B 8/14

US Classification:

600458

Abstract:

An invasive medical device includes a fluid path of microbubbles which is imaged by ultrasound during use of the device. The fluid path extends through the device, preferably to the distal end of the device, so that the diffuse reflection of ultrasound from the microbubbles can be received to image the location of the device. The fluid path can be open, terminating at the tip of the device, or can be a closed path of a circulating microbubble fluid used for imaging and/or cooling.