| abstract |
A catheter including an elongated body member, an ultrasound transducer located on the elongated body member, and dampening means for forming an ultrasound dampening region adjacent to a portion of the ultrasound transducer, is disclosed. The ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit or receive an ultrasound signal. The ultrasound dampening region is configured to improve uniformity of said ultrasound signal in three-dimensional space. Preferably, the dampening means includes air or a material containing air. |