# US 11,998,386 B2 · Support and cover structures for an ultrasound probe head > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,386 B2 - Document ID: US11998386B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/854,789 - Filed: 2020-04-21 - Published: 2020-08-06 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-08 - Assignees: C. R. Bard, Inc. - Applicants: C. R. Bard, Inc. - Inventors: Eric W. Lindekugel; Jeremy B. Cox; Daniel B. Blanchard; Christian W. Crook; Eddie K. Burnside; Jeanette E. Southard; Kevin W. Stinger; Amir Orome - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998386B2 ## CPC - A61B 8/4281: {characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue} - A61B 8/4411: {Device being modular} - A61B 8/4455: {Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects} - A61B 10/00: Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposes (for taking samples of blood A61B5/15); Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements - A61B 8/4422: {related to hygiene or sterilisation} - A61B 8/4472: {Wireless probes} - A61B 17/3403: {Needle locating or guiding means} - A61B 2017/3413: {guided by ultrasound} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An ultrasound probe assembly includes an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound cap, a solid hydrogel component, and a cover. The ultrasound probe can include a probe head and an orientation indicator. The probe head includes an acoustic surface. The ultrasound cap can include an opening defined by an opening perimeter, and a base configured to support a removable needle guide. The base can be aligned with the orientation indicator. The solid hydrogel component can include a probe-contacting side contacting the acoustic surface, a skin-contacting side extending through the opening, and an outer perimeter larger than the opening perimeter. The cover can be configured to cover the hydrogel component and at least a portion of the ultrasound cap. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ultrasound probe assembly, comprising: an ultrasound probe including a probe head and an orientation indicator, the probe head including an acoustic surface; an ultrasound cap, comprising: an opening defined by an opening perimeter; and a base configured to support a removable needle guide, wherein: the base is a bracket configured to permit the removable needle guide to slide laterally with respect to the ultrasound probe, and the base is aligned with the orientation indicator; a solid hydrogel component, comprising: a probe-contacting side contacting the acoustic surface; a skin-contacting side extending through the opening; and an outer perimeter larger than the opening perimeter; and a cover configured to cover the hydrogel component and at least a portion of the ultrasound cap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound cap and the hydrogel component are removable from the ultrasound probe after use. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the skin-contacting side of the hydrogel component has a concavity between two end portions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 3, wherein the skin-contacting side of the hydrogel component is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the ultrasound probe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound probe assembly is pre-assembled with the ultrasound cap, the hydrogel component, and the cover attached to the ultrasound probe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound cap includes a mechanical engagement feature to releasably engage the probe head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter of the hydrogel component being larger than the opening perimeter of the ultrasound cap retains the hydrogel component in the ultrasound cap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogel component includes a lip about the outer perimeter thereof, the lip sandwiched between the ultrasound cap and the probe head of the ultrasound probe. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 6, wherein a side of the probe head includes a nub and the ultrasound cap includes a complementary recess for the nub, the nub providing a landmark for orienting an ultrasound image on a display. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 9, wherein the complementary recess for the nub is in an opposite side of the ultrasound cap than that including the engagement feature. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The ultrasound probe assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound cap includes a cavity in the base configured to accept the orientation indicator of the ultrasound probe therein. ### Claim 12 An ultrasound probe assembly, comprising: an ultrasound probe including a probe head and an orientation indicator, the probe head including an acoustic surface; an ultrasound cap, comprising: an opening defined by an opening perimeter; and a base configured to support a removable needle guide, wherein: the base is a bracket configured to permit the removable needle guide to slide laterally with respect to the ultrasound probe, and the base is aligned with the orientation indicator; a solid, shaped hydrogel component, comprising: a probe-contacting side contacting the acoustic surface; a skin-contacting side extending through the opening; and an outer perimeter larger than the opening perimeter; and a cover configured to cover the hydrogel component and at least a portion of the ultrasound cap. ### Claim 13 An ultrasound probe assembly, comprising: an ultrasound probe including a probe head and an orientation indicator, the probe head including an acoustic surface; an ultrasound cap, comprising: an opening defined by an opening perimeter; a base configured to support a removable needle guide, wherein: the base is a bracket configured to permit the removable needle guide to slide laterally with respect to the ultrasound probe, and the base is aligned with the orientation indicator; and a mechanical engagement feature to releasably engage the probe head; a solid hydrogel component, comprising: a probe-contacting side contacting the acoustic surface; a skin-contacting side extending through the opening; and an outer perimeter larger than the opening perimeter; and a cover configured to cover the hydrogel component and at least a portion of the ultrasound cap.