# US 10,117,564 B2 · Ultrasound and detachable instrument for procedures

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- Number: US 10,117,564 B2
- Document ID: US10117564B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/701,642
- Filed: 2015-05-01
- Published: 2015-08-20
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2010-04-16
- Assignees: Hitachi Healthcare Americas Corporation
- Applicants: Hitachi Aloka Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Bruce M. Frankel; Randall R. Baraso; Thomas P. Oko
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117564B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/00087: {Tools (A61B17/00234 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/3132: {for laparoscopy}
- A61B 8/06: Measuring blood flow
- A61B 8/0808: {for diagnosis of the brain}
- A61B 8/0841: {for locating instruments}
- A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
- A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction}
- A61B 8/4494: {characterised by the arrangement of the transducer elements}
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements
- A61M 25/09: Guide wires
- A61B 8/4488: {the transducer being a phased array}
- A61B 17/320708: {Curettes, e.g. hollow scraping instruments}
- A61B 90/11: with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
- A61B 2017/00106: {ultrasonic}
- A61B 2017/00296: {mounted on an endoscope}
- A61B 2017/22041: {outside the catheter}
- A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system
- A61M 2025/0177: {having external means for receiving guide wires, wires or stiffening members, e.g. loops, clamps or lateral tubes}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to equipment and procedures in the field of surgery and/or diagnostics and, more particularly, to instruments, assemblies and methods for undertaking surgical and/or diagnostic procedures that involve and/or are in proximity to the brain (e.g., cranial procedures and/or surgery). The disclosed assemblies generally include a handle member and an elongated probe that includes an ultrasound transducer. The assemblies may be used in conjunction with K-wires/guidewires, tubular members (e.g., EVD catheters and/or ventricular drains), endoscopes/cameras, and accessory items such as curettes, probes, knives, suction devices, scissors, cautery units, forceps, grasping devices and the like. Advantageous medical diagnostic and surgical instruments, assemblies and methods are provided for use during a broad variety of clinical applications and procedures (e.g., procedures within the cranium and/or in connection with or in proximity to the brain, spinal surgical procedures, orthopedic applications, minimally invasive surgical procedures, etc.).

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ultrasound assembly comprising:
an elongated probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end extending from and mounted with respect to a handle member, the elongated probe supporting an ultrasound transducer configured to obtain ultrasound images to determine a location of the elongated probe relative to surrounding anatomical structures or features, the ultrasound transducer including an array of ultrasonic energy generation elements; and
a detachable surgical device positioned proximal to and detachably mounted to an outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe, the detachable surgical device including a housing section and a protruding section that extends from a distal end of the housing section, the housing section having: (i) a first window member configured to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the first window member when the detachable surgical device is in a first mounted position relative to the elongated probe, and (ii) a second window member configured to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the second window member when the detachable surgical device is in a second mounted position relative to the elongated probe;
wherein the elongated probe, ultrasound transducer and detachable surgical device are cooperatively configured, oriented and dimensioned to allow an operator to insert the detachable surgical device and the distal end of the elongated probe into a desired anatomical location to permit the operator to: (i) perform thereat a surgical procedure of the desired anatomical location by utilizing the detachable surgical device mounted to the outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe, and (ii) obtain ultrasound imaging of the desired anatomical location via the exposed ultrasound transducer when the detachable surgical device is in the first or second mounted position relative to the elongated probe;
wherein when the detachable surgical device is in the first mounted position relative to the elongated probe to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the first window member, this thereby allows the operator to utilize the protruding section at a first angle relative to the exposed ultrasound transducer through the first window member; and
wherein when the detachable surgical device is in the second mounted position relative to the elongated probe to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the second window member, this thereby allows the operator to utilize the protruding section at a second angle relative to the exposed ultrasound transducer through the second window member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1, wherein the protruding section includes a curette member having a tissue cutting element; and
wherein the first angle of the utilized protruding section is different than the second angle of the utilized protruding section.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 2, wherein the tissue cutting element of the protruding section extends from the housing section at from about a 45 degree angle to about a 90 degree angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing section.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1,
wherein the protruding section includes an instrument selected from a group consisting of a curette, a probe, a knife, a suction device, a scissor, a cautery unit, forceps and a grasping device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing section of the detachable surgical device is hollow and substantially cylindrical, and defines a lumen within the housing section; and
wherein the first and second window members each extend through the housing section to expose the lumen of the housing section.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 5, wherein the lumen is configured and dimensioned to house the outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second window members each extend from a distal end to a proximal end on the cylindrical housing section.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second window members are spaced about 180 degrees from each other on the cylindrical housing section.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 8, wherein after the detachable surgical device is detachably mounted to the distal end of the elongated probe so that first window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the first mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the first window member, a user can then circumferentially rotate the detachable surgical device about 180 degrees around the probe until the second window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the second mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the second window member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second window members are spaced equidistantly apart from one another on the housing section.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1, wherein after the detachable surgical device is detachably mounted to the distal end of the elongated probe so that first window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the first mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the first window member, a user can then circumferentially rotate the detachable surgical device around the probe until the second window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the second mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the second window member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the housing section includes a distal annular section, and a proximal end of the housing section includes a proximal annular section; and
wherein the distal and proximal annular sections are configured and dimensioned to surround and house the outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the housing section includes an abutment surface that is configured and dimensioned to abut against the distal end of the elongated probe.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second window members are substantially mirror images of one another, thereby exposing substantially the same area of imaging through the first and second window members.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one hollow receiver member mounted with respect to the elongated probe;
wherein the at least one hollow receiver member is configured and dimensioned to receive a K-wire or guidewire.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one hollow receiver member includes a first hollow receiver member and a second hollow receiver member mounted with respect to the elongated probe, each hollow receiver member configured and dimensioned to receive the K-wire or guidewire; and
wherein the first hollow receiver member is mounted with respect to a distal portion of the elongated probe and the second hollow receiver member is mounted with respect to a proximal end of the elongated probe.

### Claim 17

An ultrasound assembly comprising:
an elongated probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end extending from and mounted with respect to a handle member, the elongated probe supporting an ultrasound transducer configured to obtain ultrasound images to determine a location of the elongated probe relative to surrounding anatomical structures or features, the ultrasound transducer including an array of ultrasonic energy generation elements; and
a detachable surgical device positioned proximal to and detachably mounted to an outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe, the detachable surgical device including a housing section and a protruding section that extends from a distal end of the housing section, the housing section having: (i) a first window member configured to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer when the detachable surgical device is in a first mounted position relative to the elongated probe, and (ii) a second window member configured to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer when the detachable surgical device is in a second mounted position relative to the elongated probe;
wherein the elongated probe, ultrasound transducer and detachable surgical device are cooperatively configured, oriented and dimensioned to allow an operator to insert the detachable surgical device and the distal end of the elongated probe into a desired anatomical location to permit the operator to: (i) perform thereat a surgical procedure of the desired anatomical location by utilizing the detachable surgical device mounted to the outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe, and (ii) obtain ultrasound imaging of the desired anatomical location via the exposed ultrasound transducer when the detachable surgical device is in the first or second mounted position relative to the elongated probe;
wherein when the detachable surgical device is in the first mounted position relative to the elongated probe to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the first window member, this thereby allows the operator to utilize the protruding section at a first angle relative to the exposed ultrasound transducer through the first window member;
wherein when the detachable surgical device is in the second mounted position relative to the elongated probe to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the second window member, this thereby allows the operator to utilize the protruding section at a second angle relative to the exposed ultrasound transducer through the second window member;
wherein the first angle of the utilized protruding section is different than the second angle of the utilized protruding section;
wherein the protruding section includes a curette member having a tissue cutting element;
wherein the housing section of the detachable surgical device is hollow and substantially cylindrical, and defines a lumen within the housing section;
wherein the first and second window members each extend through the housing section to expose the lumen of the housing section;
wherein the first and second window members are spaced about 180 degrees from each other on the cylindrical housing section;
wherein after the detachable surgical device is detachably mounted to the distal end of the elongated probe so that first window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the first mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the first window member, a user can then circumferentially rotate the detachable surgical device about 180 degrees around the probe until the second window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the second mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the second window member;
wherein the first and second window members each extend from a distal end to a proximal end on the cylindrical housing section; and
wherein the tissue cutting element of the protruding section extends from the housing section at from about a 45 degree angle to about a 90 degree angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen of the housing section.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and second window members are substantially mirror images of one another, thereby exposing substantially the same area of imaging through the first and second window members.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 17,
wherein the lumen is configured and dimensioned to house the outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The ultrasound assembly of claim 17, wherein the distal end of the housing section includes a distal annular section, and a proximal end of the housing section includes a proximal annular section;
wherein the distal and proximal annular sections are configured and dimensioned to surround and house the outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe; and
wherein the distal end of the housing section includes an abutment surface that is configured and dimensioned to abut against the distal end of the elongated probe.