US 11,930,999 B2Granted

Steerable ultrasound attachment for endoscope

AssigneeEndoSound, Inc.

InventorsStephen Edward Steinberg, Scott Sutherland Corbett, III

Life of this patent

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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.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An ultrasound capable endoscope attachment assembly, comprising:

an ultrasound assembly, said ultrasound assembly including:
a multiple signal pathway connector;
an ultrasound transducer head including an ultrasound transducer;
and
a set of signal pathways, extending from said ultrasound transducer head to said multiple signal pathway connector;
and
an attachable imaging head movement sub-assembly configured to be selectively attached to an endoscope, wherein said imaging head movement sub-assembly is further configured to be selectively attached to said ultrasound assembly, wherein said imaging head movement sub-assembly is further configured to move said ultrasound transducer independent of said endoscope when selectively attached to said ultrasound assembly and said endoscope, and wherein said imaging head movement sub-assembly can be disposed of when selectively detached from said ultrasound assembly and said endoscope after use.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/062,115Filed 6 Dec 2022 · continuation
Priority: 12 Apr 2018
Published: US 2023/0277041 A17 Sep 2023
Granted: 19 Mar 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification22 codes

A61B 1/00101
Characterised by distal tip features: the distal tip features being detachable
A61B 1/00097
Characterised by distal tip features: sensors
A61B 1/00098
Characterised by distal tip features: deflecting means for inserted tools
A61B 1/0014
Accessories for endoscopes: fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands

Family

Application15/951,347Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 Apr 2018
PCT/US2019/027331Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 Apr 2019
Application16/523,971Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Jul 2019
US 10,363,014 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Jul 2019
US 2023/0277041 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Sep 2023
US 11,547,277 B2Parent of this continuation
Application16/523,971Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2019/0357883 A1Published application
US 11,930,999 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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