# US 12,109,067 B2 · Positioning arm apparatus for ultrasound head

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- Number: US 12,109,067 B2
- Document ID: US12109067B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/358,359
- Filed: 2023-07-25
- Published: 2024-08-01
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2023-01-27
- Assignees: Imgt Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Imgt Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Kyu Hoon Han; Young Bok Yu; Keon Ho Son
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109067B2

## CPC

- A61B 8/4218: {characterised by articulated arms}
- A61B 8/00: Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- A61B 90/50: Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
- A61N 7/02: Localised ultrasound hyperthermia
- F16M 11/04: Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M 11/2064: {for tilting and panning (F16M11/2078 takes precedence)}
- F16M 13/022: {repositionable}
- F16M 2200/022: by friction
- F16M 2200/068: being part of the undercarriage
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS

## Abstract

A positioning arm apparatus for an ultrasound head is provided. The positioning arm apparatus for an ultrasound head according to an embodiment may constantly move the ultrasound head without change in height of the ultrasound head according to a moving distance by simultaneous rotation at two positions and tilting motion at one position. Also, the positioning arm apparatus may be miniaturized and lightweight since it is operated with a mechanical mechanism, and may provide strong fixing strong and easy maneuverability.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A positioning arm apparatus for an ultrasound head, the positioning arm apparatus comprising:
a first link provided with a first joint at a lower end of one side thereof and a second joint at an upper end of the other side thereof rotatable left and right about a center of a vertical axis of the first joint;
a second link connected to the first link based on the second joint, rotatable left and right about a vertical axis of the second joint, and tiltable up and down about a horizontal axis of the second joint;
a first mechanical mechanism provided to the first link and configured to simultaneously fix rotational motions of the first link and the second link or release at least one of the fixed first link and the second link for the rotational motion;
a second mechanical mechanism provided to the second link and configured to fix or release a tilting motion of the second link; and
a head connection unit provided at one end of the second link and connected to an ultrasound head.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The positioning arm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical mechanism is configured to simultaneously fix or release rotation of the first link and the second link by using a gear, a pulley, or a mechanism capable of generating frictional force.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The positioning arm apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first mechanical mechanism comprises:
a first lever;
a worm gear configure to rotate in a horizontal direction by rotation of the first lever;
a first worm and a second worm connected to both sides relative to the worm gear and configured to rotate in a vertical direction by the rotation of the worm gear in the horizontal direction;
a first shaft and a second shaft connected to the respective worm wheels and each configured to rotate in the same direction as the connected worm wheel by the rotation of the worm wheel;
a first tightener and a second tightener configured to tighten or loosen the respective shaft holders by the rotation of the respective shafts; and
a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis respectively inserted into holes of the respective shaft holders, fixed to the respective joints, and configured to be simultaneously fixed or released by fastening or loosening the respective shaft holders.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The positioning arm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second mechanical mechanism comprises:
a second lever;
a third shaft holder configured to be tightened or loosened by a screw of the second lever when the second lever rotates; and
a third rotation axis inserted into a hole of the third shaft holder and configured to be fixed or released by tightening or loosening the third shaft holder.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The positioning arm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second mechanical mechanism comprises:
a second lever provided with a screw that moves upward or downward when rotating;
a third shaft holder configured to come in contact with the screw when the second lever moves downward by the rotation of the second lever and configured to lose its contact with the screw when the second lever moves upward; and
a third rotation axis inserted into a hole of the third shaft holder and configured to be fixed or released by being in contact or losing contact with the third shaft holder.