The U.S. Patent and Trademark office has granted a new patent for an echogenic material used to coat medical ultrasound devices. The product, known as ECHO-COAT, has already been commercialized by STS Biopolymers of Henrietta NY, a surface treatment developer.
ECHO-COAT improves ultrasound results by overcoming contrast resolution limitations, STS said. The device coating entraps air bubbles in microcavities on the surface of a thin, biocompatible polymeric film. The coating improves acoustical impedance significantly, resulting in "brighter" ultrasound images, according to the company.
The product is currently being marketed on the firm's aspiration needles. It will soon be included on the company's ultrasound core biopsy needles, and is available for use with devices from other manufacturers, STS Biopolymers said.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersSeptember 14, 2000
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