Variable configuration bending neck for an articulating ultrasound probe
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips N.V.
InventorsDino Francesco Cuscuna, Kathryn Jinks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bending neck for an articulating ultrasound probe has a variable configuration whereby different sections of the bending neck can be bent into different curvatures. In one implementation a rigid member is extended into the bending neck, setting the deflection point for a section of the bending neck at the end of the rigid member. In another implementation the links of the bending neck have different lengths, causing different sections to have different radii of maximum curvature. In another implementation the bending neck is encased in a sheath which exhibits regions of different durometer, thickness, or spacing of points of attachment to the bending neck.
Claims20
An articulating bending neck for an ultrasound probe comprising:
- a plurality of pivotally connected links comprising a link and an adjoining link,
- wherein each of the plurality of pivotally connected links comprises an outer tubular segment and an inner tubular segment fitting within and in contact with the outer tubular segment around an outer perimeter of the inner tubular segment,
- wherein the link and the adjoining link are completely separated by a groove and remain connected to one another by a pivot lobe of the link and a shape of the adjoining link receiving the pivot lobe,
- wherein, in an articulation configuration:
- a width of the groove is positioned between an entire end of the link and an entire opposite end of the adjoining link;
- and
- the link and the adjoining link are configured to pivot relative to one another around the pivot lobe by the width of the groove,
- wherein, in a locked configuration:
- the link and the adjoining link are pulled together;
- and
- the entire end of the link is immediately adjacent to the entire opposite end of the adjoining link such that the link and the adjoining link are prevented from pivoting relative to another,
- wherein the pivot lobe comprises an outer pivot lobe portion from the outer tubular segment and an inner pivot lobe portion from the inner tubular segment,
- wherein the groove extends through the outer tubular segment and the inner tubular segment such that:
- the groove defines the pivot lobe and the shape of the adjoining link receiving the pivot lobe;
- and
- the outer pivot lobe portion and the inner pivot lobe portion are aligned with one another, and
- wherein, in the articulation configuration, the link and the adjoining link are configured to pivot relative to one another without a pin or rivet joining the link and the adjoining link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.