Patent EP0317049A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0317049A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Ultrasonic probe
Assignee: Advanced Diagnostic Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1988-07-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-07-11
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic probe 10 includes an elongated housing 12 which contains a window 24 surrounding a ultrasonic transducer 32. The ultrasonic transducer 32 is mounted on a first platform 36. The first platform 36 is in turn mounted on a second platform 38. A motor 44 and linkage arrangement 48 is provided for pivoting the transducer 32. A thumb wheel 16 can rotatably position the transducer 32 as it pivots, allowing ultrasonic imaging of bodily tissue through three hundred and sixty degrees. Further, a position sensor 78 allows for accurate sensing of the position of the transducer 32 as the transducer 32 pivots and rotates. An external fluid jacket 64 for a wobbler type ultrasound probe 10 includes a cylindrical body 62 with an opening 64 which allows an ultrasound signal to be sent from and received by an ultrasound transducer 26 through a window 24 provided in the probe 10. The fluid jacket 60 includes a recessed portion72 which provides for the transmittal of fluid from an internal port 22 defined by the probe 10 to an edge 65 of the opening 64 so that the fluid can be provided immediately adjacent the window 24 of the probe 10. This enables the fluid to fill the space between the probe 10 and the sheath 42 and also to evacuate this fluid in order to properly position a probe 10 in a bodily cavity and to remove the probe 10 once imaging has been completed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Terwilliger
- 👤 Thomas D. Lamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; G10K11/355
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A probe comprising: a probe housing; a transducer capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals; means for pivotally mounting said transducer relative to said housing; means for rotationally mounting said pivotally mounting means to said housing; motor means for pivoting said transducer; means linking said motor means to said pivotally mounting means; means for rotating said rotationally mounting means and said pivotally mounting means while said motor means pivots said transducer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A probe comprising: a probe housing; a transducer capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals; means for pivotally mounting said transducer relative to said housing; means for rotationally mounting said pivotally mounting means to said housing; motor means for pivoting said transducer; means linking said motor means to said pivotally mounting means; means for rotating said rotationally mounting means and said pivotally mounting means while said motor means pivots said transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A probe comprising: a probe housing; an transducer capable of sending and receiving signals; means for pivotally and rotationally mounting said transducer; means for pivoting said transducer; means for operably connecting said pivoting means to said mounting means for pivoting said transducer; means for rotating said transducer while said pivoting means pivots said transducer; and means for operably connecting said rotating means to said mounting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A probe comprising: a probe housing; an transducer capable of sending and receiving signals; means for pivotally and rotationally mounting said transducer; means for pivoting said transducer; means for operably connecting said pivoting means to said mounting means for pivoting said transducer; means for rotating said transducer while said pivoting means pivots said transducer; and means for operably connecting said rotating means to said mounting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
An elongate ultrasonic probe capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals comprising: an elongate housing having an elongate side surface and first and second ends; an ultrasonic transducer capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals; means for pivotally mounting said transducer relative to said housing along said elongate side surface such that the signals can be directed in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to said elongate side surface; means for rotationally mounting said pivotally mounting means; motor means for pivoting said transducer; means linking said motor means to said pivotally mounting means; means for rotating said pivotally mounting means while said motor means pivots said transducer such that said transducer can rotate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
An elongate ultrasonic probe capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals comprising: an elongate housing having an elongate side surface and first and second ends; an ultrasonic transducer capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals; means for pivotally mounting said transducer relative to said housing along said elongate side surface such that the signals can be directed in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to said elongate side surface; means for rotationally mounting said pivotally mounting means; motor means for pivoting said transducer; means linking said motor means to said pivotally mounting means; means for rotating said pivotally mounting means while said motor means pivots said transducer such that said transducer can rotate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An elongate ultrasonic probe capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals comprising: an elongate housing having an elongate side surface; an ultrasonic transducer capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic singals; means for mounting said transducer along said elongate side surface; means for causing the signals to describe a signal plane; means for rotating the signal plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
An elongate ultrasonic probe capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals comprising: an elongate housing having an elongate side surface; an ultrasonic transducer capable of sending and receiving ultrasonic singals; means for mounting said transducer along said elongate side surface; means for causing the signals to describe a signal plane; means for rotating the signal plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
An ultrasound probe comprising: an elongate body having a cavity; an ultrasound transducer located along said elongate body in said cavity; a window formed in said elongate body adjacent said ultrasound transducer such that an ultrasound signal can be at least one of sent from or received by said transducer through said window; a first fluid port provided in said elongate body adjacent said cavity and said window fluid jacket means provided adjacent said elongate body for directing fluid from said first port to said window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
An ultrasound probe comprising: an elongate body having a cavity; an ultrasound transducer located along said elongate body in said cavity; a window formed in said elongate body adjacent said ultrasound transducer such that an ultrasound signal can be at least one of sent from or received by said transducer through said window; a first fluid port provided in said elongate body adjacent said cavity and said window fluid jacket means provided adjacent said elongate body for directing fluid from said first port to said window.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A probe comprising: a body having a cavity a transducer located in said cavity a window formed in said body adjacent to said transducer such that a signal can be at least one of sent from or received by said transducer through said window; a first port provided in said body adjacent said cavity; fluid jacket means provided adjacent said body for directing fluid from said first port to said window.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A probe comprising: a body having a cavity a transducer located in said cavity a window formed in said body adjacent to said transducer such that a signal can be at least one of sent from or received by said transducer through said window; a first port provided in said body adjacent said cavity; fluid jacket means provided adjacent said body for directing fluid from said first port to said window.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fluid jacket adapted for use with a probe having a sensing device and a fluid port located adjacent the sensing device comprising a tubular body with an internal cylindrical wall a window having a peripheral edge provided through said tubular body adapted to be located adjacent the sensing device; means adapted for directing fluid from the fluid port to said peripheral edge of said window, said means including a substantially cylindrical recess formed in said internal cylindrical wall such that fluid can be provided to a portion of said peripheral edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fluid jacket adapted for use with a probe having a sensing device and a fluid port located adjacent the sensing device comprising a tubular body with an internal cylindrical wall a window having a peripheral edge provided through said tubular body adapted to be located adjacent the sensing device; means adapted for directing fluid from the fluid port to said peripheral edge of said window, said means including a substantially cylindrical recess formed in said internal cylindrical wall such that fluid can be provided to a portion of said peripheral edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The probe of Claim 1 wherein said transducer is an ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The probe of Claim 1 wherein said rotationally mounting means includes: a transducer housing secured inside said probe housing; a first platform rotatably mounted in said transducer housing: wherein said pivotally mounting means includes a second platform pivotally mounted to said first platform; and wherein said transducer is secured to said second platform.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
The probe of Claim 9 wherein said linking means includes: a link arm pivotally secured to said motor means; a crank arm pivotally secured to said link arm and pivotally secured to said transducer housing; a shaft means for operably connecting said crank arm to said second platform; means for securing said shaft means to said crank arm such that said shaft can move along any combination of three perpendicular directions; means for securing said shaft means to said second platform, at a location offset from where said second platform is pivotally secured to said first platform, such that said shaft can move along any combination of three perpendicular directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The probe of Claim 1 wherein said motor means is a linear reciprocating motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The probe of Claim 9 wherein said probe housing includes a handle located distally from said transducer and wherein said rotating means includes a pully mounted in said handle and a cable secured to said first platform and to said pully for rotating said first platform relative to said transducer housing responsive to the rotating of said pully.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The probe of Claim 1 including a sensor means for sensing the position of said motor in order to determine the position of said transducer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The probe of Claim 1 wherein said sensor means includes a toroid magnet, a fin and means for securing the fin to the motor means for positioning the fin relative to the toroid magnet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe of Claim 1 including means for accurately sensing the pivotal position of the transducer as the transducer is pivoted and rotated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe of Claim 10 including means for accurately sensing the pivotal position of the transducer as the transducer is pivoted and rotated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The probe of Claim 16 wherein: said motor means includes a shaft; and including means for securing said link arm to said motor shaft; and means for securing said sensing means to said motor shaft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The probe of Claim 2 wherein said transducer is an ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The probe of Claim 2 wherein said pivotally and rotationally mounting means include: means for pivotally mounting said transducer relative to said housing; and means for rotationally mounting said pivotally mounting means to said housing; and wherein said pivoting means includes motor means for pivoting said transducer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
The probe of Claim 19 wherein said rotationally mounting means includes: a transducer housing secured inside said probe housing; a first platform rotatably mounted in said transducer housing; and wherein said pivotally mounting means includes a second platform pivotally mounted to said first platform; and wherein said transducer is secured to said second platform.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
110 words
The probe of Claim 20 wherein said linking means includes: a link arm pivotally secured to said motor means; a crank arm pivotally secured to said link arm and pivotally secured to said transducer housing; a shaft means for operably connecting said crank arm to said second platform; means for securing said shaft means to said crank arm such that said shaft can move along any combination of three perpendicular directions; means for securing said shaft means to said second platform, at a location offset from where said second platform is pivotally secured to said first platform, such that said shaft can move along any combination of three perpendicular directions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The probe of Claim 3 wherein said rotationally mounting means includes: a transducer housing secured inside said probe housing; a first platform rotatably mounted in said transducer housing; and wherein said pivotally mounting means includes a second platform pivotally mounted to said first platform; and wherein said transducer is secured to said second platform.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
110 words
The probe of Claim 22 wherein said linking means includes: a link arm pivotally secured to said motor means; a crank arm pivotally secured to said link arm and pivotally secured to said transducer housing; a shaft means for operably connecting said crank arm to said second platform; means for securing said shaft means to said crank arm such that said shaft can move along any combination of three perpendicular directions; means for securing said shaft means to said second platform, at a location offset from where said second platform is pivotally secured to said first platform, such that said shaft can move along any combination of three perpendicular directions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe of Claim 4 wherein said means for rotating said signal plane includes means for rotating said signal plane through approximately 160°.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said fluid jacket means includes: a opening defined by an edge; said edge at least partially bordering said window; means for communicating fluid from said first port to said edge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of Claim 25 wherein said communicating means includes: a recess provided in said fluid jacket means extending between said first fluid port and said edge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said elongate body is cylindrical and wherein said fluid jacket means includes: a tubular body which is located about said elongate body so as to cover said first fluid port; a second window defined by said tubular body, said second window having an edge; said second window located adjacent said window formed in the elongate body with the edge of said second window at least partially outlining said window formed in said elongate body; means for communicating fluid from said first fluid port to said edge.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of Claim 27 wherein: said tubular body fits close to said elongate body; and wherein said communication means includes: a recess in said tubular body which defines a passage between said elongate body and said tubular body.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of Claim 28 wherein said recess extends substantially cylindrically in said tubular body and about said elongate body.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said recess communications with a continuous portion of said edge.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of Claim 29 wherein said second window and said edge are substantially elliptical in shape and wherein said recess communicates with a portion of said elliptical edge.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said fluid jacket includes a second fluid port provided therethrough.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said fluid jacket includes a second fluid port provided therethrough; and which second fluid port is located at a position spaced from and unaligned with said first fluid port.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said fluid jacket means is rigid.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fluid jacket means includes: a opening defined by an edge; said edge at least partially bordering said window; means for communicating fluid from said first port to said edge.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of Claim 35 wherein said communicating means includes: a recess provided in said fluid jacket means extending between said first fluid port and said edge.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said probe body is cylindrical and wherein said fluid jacket means includes: a tubular body which is located about said probe body so as to cover said first fluid port; a second window defined by said tubular body, said second window having an edge; said second window located adjacent said window formed in the probe body with the edge of said second window at least partially outlining said window formed in said probe body; means for communicating fluid from said first fluid port to said edge.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of Claim 37 wherein said tubular body fits close to said probe body; and wherein said communication means includes: a recess in said tubular body which defines a passage between said probe body and said tubular body.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of Claim 38 wherein said recess extends substantially cylindrically in said tubular body and about said probe body.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of Claim 39 wherein said recess communicates with a continuous portion of said edge.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of Claim 39 wherein said second window and said edge are substantially elliptical in shape and wherein said recess communicates with a portion of said elliptical edge.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said fluid jacket includes a second fluid port provided therethrough.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fluid jacket includes a second fluid port provided therethrough; and which second fluid port is located at a position spaced from and unaligned with said first fluid port.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
the apparatus of Claim 7 including a second fluid port provided through said tubular body and said recess of said tubular body.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 including a second fluid port provided through said tubular body and said recess of said tubular body at a location adapted to be spaced from and unaligned with the fluid port of the probe.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said fluid jacket means is rigid.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of Claim 26 wherein: said fluid jacket includes a second fluid port provided therethrough; and which second fluid port is located at a position spaced from and unaligned with said first fluid port and which second fluid port communicates with said recess.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of Claim 36 wherein: said fluid jacket includes a second fluid port provided therethrough; and which second fluid port is located at a position spaced from and unaligned with said first fluid port and which second fluid port communicates with said recess.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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