(19)
(11) EP 1 723 910 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
Note: Bibliography reflects the latest situation

(15) Correction information:
Corrected version no 1 (W1 A2)

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
15.10.2008 Bulletin 2008/42

(88) Date of publication A3:
18.07.2007 Bulletin 2007/29

(43) Date of publication:
22.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/47

(21) Application number: 06076470.1

(22) Date of filing: 20.07.2000
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A61B 8/00(2006.01)
 A61B 8/12(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 21.07.1999 US 362630

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
00942333.6 / 1196091

(71) Applicant: Boston Scientific Limited
St. Michael (BB)

(72) Inventors:
  • Suorsa, Veijo T.
    Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (US)
  • Mendoza, Dennis
    Tracy, CA 95376 (US)
  • Bautista, Richard
    Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US)

(74) Representative: Pfenning, Meinig & Partner GbR 
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Theresienhöhe 13
80339 München
80339 München (DE)

 
Remarks:
This application was filed on 25 - 07 - 2006 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 62.
 


(54) Focused ultrasound transducers and systems


(57) The present invention provides ultrasound transducers, and imaging assemblies and catheters employing such transducers, that provide improved imaging capabilities. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging assembly (50) includes a housing having a distal end (56), a proximal end (57) and a longitudinal axis. A transducer element (54) is included having an outer face. The outer face has a first radius of curvature along a first axis and a second radius of curvature along a second axis. The transducer element is operably attached to the distal end to position the first axis to be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis to provide improved cross-plane resolution.