# US 11,547,277 B2 · Steerable ultrasound attachment for endoscope > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,547,277 B2 - Document ID: US11547277B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/523,971 - Filed: 2019-07-26 - Published: 2019-11-28 - Granted: 2023-01-10 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-12 - Assignees: EndoSound, Inc. - Applicants: Endosound, LLC - Inventors: Stephen E. Steinberg; Scott Sutherland Corbett, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11547277B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00101: {the distal tip features being detachable} - A61B 1/00097: {Sensors} - A61B 1/00098: {Deflecting means for inserted tools} - A61B 1/0014: {Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands} - A61B 1/0051: {with controlled bending of insertion part} - A61B 1/0057: {Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires} - A61B 1/01: Guiding arrangements therefore - A61B 8/4422: {related to hygiene or sterilisation} - A61B 8/4466: {involving deflection of the probe} - A61B 10/04: Endoscopic instruments, e.g. catheter-type instruments - A61B 1/00103: {designed for single use} - A61B 1/00133: {Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope} - A61B 1/00135: {Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion} - A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments - A61B 1/053: {being detachable} - A61B 1/273: for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes or gastroscopes - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61B 8/4411: {Device being modular} - A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction} - A61B 2010/045: {Needles (pointed biopsy devices with vacuum aspiration A61B10/0283)} - A61B 2017/0034: {adapted to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method of providing and processing an ultrasound capable endoscope assembly that uses an endoscope having a proximal and a distal end, and that has been used previously. The endoscope is cleansed to a level appropriate for re-use within a human body. The method also uses an unused ultrasound assembly, sealed in antiseptic packaging, and which includes a multiple signal pathway connector; an ultrasound transducer head including an ultrasound transducer; and a set of signal pathways, extending from the ultrasound transducer to the multiconductor electrical connector. In the method, the ultrasound assembly is to the endoscope, so that the set of signal pathways extends along the elongate body of the endoscope and the ultrasound transducer head is attached at the distal end. After use, the ultrasound assembly is detached from the endoscope and permanently disposed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of providing and processing an ultrasound capable endoscope assembly, comprising: a. providing an endoscope having a proximal and a distal end, and that has been used previously; b. cleansing said endoscope; c. providing a clean ultrasound assembly, said ultrasound assembly including: i. a multiple signal pathway connector, ii. an ultrasound transducer head including an ultrasound transducer; and iii. a set of signal pathways, extending from said ultrasound transducer head to said multiple signal pathway electrical connector; d. attaching an imaging head movement sub-assembly to said endoscope; e. removing said ultrasound assembly from a package and attaching said ultrasound assembly to said imaging head movement sub-assembly, so that said set of signal pathways extends along said elongate body of said endoscope from said proximal end of said endoscope and said ultrasound transducer head is attached at said distal end of said endoscope; f. after use, detaching said ultrasound assembly from said imaging head movement sub-assembly; and g. after use, detaching said imaging head movement sub-assembly from said endoscope and disposing of said imaging head movement sub-assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said unused ultrasound assembly further comprises a flexible neck, to which said ultrasound transducer head is physically attached, and wherein said imaging head movement sub-assembly comprises a tension member extending from said ultrasound transducer head to a proximal end at said proximal end of said endoscope, and wherein applying force to said tension member causes said ultrasound transducer head to change position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said signal pathways are electrical conductors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein said electrical conductors are coax cables. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein said electrical conductors are flex circuit traces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound assembly further includes an attachment element, and said ultrasound assembly is attached to said endoscope, at least in part, by attaching said attachment element to said distal end of said endoscope. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein said attachment element is a clip sized and shaped to engage to said distal end of said endoscope. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said endoscope further hosts a needle and a mechanism for pushing said needle out of said endoscope, for taking a biopsy. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said unused ultrasound assembly further comprises a flexible neck, to which said ultrasound transducer head is physically attached, and further wherein said neck defines an aperture that can be aligned for passage of said needle through said neck. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein said aperture is an elongate oval, and wherein said needle can pass through said aperture when said neck is bent in any degree selected from a long range of degree of bending. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein when said neck is flexed by a tension member and said needle is passed through said aperture, said needle is visible in a field of view of said ultrasound transducer, thereby permitting a user to more accurately guide said needle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound transducer is a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said endoscope is cleansed and used again. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said endoscope is a duodenoscope. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: h. after detaching said ultrasound assembly, cleansing said ultrasound assembly for a subsequent use. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing said clean ultrasound assembly comprises providing a sealed package, containing an unused ultrasound assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing said clean ultrasound assembly comprises providing a previously used and subsequently cleansed ultrasound assembly.