US 11,858,181 B2
Microcavity-containing polymeric medical devices for enhanced ultrasonic echogenicity
Devin O'Brien-Coon, Baltimore, MD (US); and David Narrow, Baltimore, MD (US)
Assigned to Sonavex, Inc., Baltimore, MD (US)
Filed by Sonavex, Inc., Baltimore, MD (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/192,050.
Application 17/192,050 is a continuation of application No. 16/673,542, filed on Nov. 4, 2019, abandoned.
Application 16/673,542 is a continuation of application No. 15/209,082, filed on Jul. 13, 2016, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/193,380, filed on Jul. 16, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0331358 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 8/08 (2006.01); A61B 8/14 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); B29C 44/02 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01); B29K 23/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/00 (2006.01); B29K 69/00 (2006.01); B29C 44/04 (2006.01); B29C 44/42 (2006.01); B29K 67/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/04 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 44/02 (2013.01) [A61B 8/587 (2013.01); A61B 90/39 (2016.02); A61B 8/0841 (2013.01); A61B 8/14 (2013.01); A61B 2090/3925 (2016.02); B29C 44/04 (2013.01); B29C 44/42 (2013.01); B29K 2023/06 (2013.01); B29K 2023/12 (2013.01); B29K 2067/046 (2013.01); B29K 2069/00 (2013.01); B29K 2105/0088 (2013.01); B29K 2105/041 (2013.01); B29K 2995/0037 (2013.01); B29L 2031/753 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasound-detectable device comprising:
a polymer material including a first region and a second region, the first region continuously enveloping the second region over an entirety of a surface area of the device; and
a plurality of microcavities dispersed within the second region and configured to reflect ultrasonic signals transmitted at one or more angles toward the device when the device is implanted in a patient.
 
17. A method of use comprising:
providing an echogenic marker including a polymer material including a first region and a second region, the first region continuously enveloping the second region over an entirety of a surface area of the echogenic marker, the echogenic marker includes a plurality of microcavities dispersed within the second region that are configured to reflect ultrasonic signals transmitted at one or more angles toward the echogenic marker when the echogenic marker is implanted in a patient, wherein the plurality of microcavities are formed by foaming the polymer material via a blowing agent injected into the polymer material;
inserting the echogenic marker in a patient;
detecting the echogenic marker using B-mode ultrasound during or after surgery based on ultrasonic signals reflected by the plurality of microcavities dispersed within the second region; and
detecting the echogenic marker in a frame associated with a reflected ultrasonic signal, the frame corresponding to a unique angle of insonation of an ultrasonic signal transmitted toward the echogenic marker during or after surgery.
 
20. A method of manufacture comprising:
forming an echogenic marker by injecting a polymer material into a mold, the echogenic marker including a plurality of microcavities, a first region devoid of microcavities, and a second region including the plurality of microcavities dispersed within the second region, the first region continuously enveloping the second region over an entirety of a surface area of the echogenic marker, wherein the plurality of microcavities are formed by injecting a blowing agent into the polymer material and reflect ultrasonic signals transmitted at one or more angles toward the echogenic marker when the echogenic marker is implanted in a patient.