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AssigneeFaxitron Bioptics, LLC
InventorsStephen Yarnall, Joel Kindem, Richard Conwell
Estimating the term…
Apparatus, techniques and systems are described for facilitating identification of a target area during a probe-guided radio-localization surgical procedure. The described apparatus, techniques and systems can be used to implement a nuclear-uptake mode controller integrated into a probe to allow a user to instantly switch between multiple nuclear-uptake modes directly from the probe hand-piece. For example, a nuclear-uptake mode controller integrated into the probe can be used to instantly switch between a high-sensitivity nuclear-up-take mode and a high-resolution nuclear-uptake mode to effectively identify the target area in the presence of interfering nuclear signals by better matching the probe's nuclear detection parameters to a search task for that target area.
1-24. (canceled)
A method of monitoring a nuclear-uptake surgical system, the method comprising:
The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld probe is communicatively coupled to the probe system control unit via a cable.
The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld probe is communicatively coupled to the probe system control unit via a wireless link.
The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless link comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy circuit.
The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the selected energy acceptance window further comprises emitting at least one of a visual indicator and an audio indicator.
The method of claim 1, wherein the probe system control unit comprises at least one of a computer, a laptop, a smart phone, and a wearable device.
A handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe comprising:
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 7, wherein the sensor unit further comprises an optical blocking plug disposed within the collimator and adjacent the scintillator, wherein the optical blocking plug is configured to prevent ambient light from entering the scintillator.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 7, wherein the sensor unit further comprises a backshield disposed proximate the handle.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 9, wherein the backshield comprises a gamma photon shield and an electromagnetic interference shield.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 9, wherein the backshield comprises a pair of injection molded tungsten parts.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 7, wherein the optical light guide further comprises a plurality of cutouts.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 7, wherein the optical light guide further comprises a plurality of wire bonds.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 7, further comprising a nuclear-uptake mode controller disposed in the handle and configured to selectively set a photon energy acceptance window of the handheld surgical probe.
A handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe comprising:
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 15, wherein the count rate controller is configured to detect an extended count rate during the scan mode.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 16, further comprising an audible indicator communicatively coupled to the count rate controller.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 17, wherein the audible indicator is configured to broadcast a message upon the detection of the extended count rate during the scan mode.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 15, wherein the count rate controller comprises a button disposed on the handle.
The handheld nuclear-uptake surgical probe of claim 15, further comprising a switch disposed on the handle and communicatively coupled to the nuclear-uptake mode controller to selectively initiate the setting of the photon energy acceptance window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.