Stand-off cell for an ultrasonic scanner head
AssigneeMedical Innovation Company A/S
InventorHerbert R. C. Drue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stand-off cell for an ultrasonic scanner head has a slit in which a biopsy needle can be guided. The whole introduction will therefore take place in the area supervisable by the scanner head so that the needle can be guided in a secure manner when making a biopsy. The stand-off cell can be made of a plastics with the same acoustic impedance as tissue and can therefore be manufactured very cheaply. After the needle is introduced the stand-off cell can be removed as the needle slides out through the slit. This makes the biopsy easier and makes it possible to utilize the scanner head in the best way.
Claims12
A standoff cell for an ultrasonic scanner head having an area of supervision, the standoff cell comprising:
- clutch facing means for contacting an ultrasonic scanner head;
- contact surface means for contacting a patient's body;
- and
- an additional surface;
- and further comprising:
- slit means extending between the contract surface and the additional surface for passage therethrough of a needle, such that the point at which the needle penetrates the patient's body is within the area of supervision of the scanner head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.