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US 5,178,150 AGranted
Miniature ultrasound imaging probe
OwnerFred E. Silverstein, Andrew H. Proctorinventors
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OwnerFred E. Silverstein, Andrew H. Proctorinventors
Estimating the term…
A miniature ultrasound imaging probe that may be delivered through the biopsy channel of an endoscope. The probe includes a probe tip mounted at the distal end of a flexible catheter. The probe tip includes a transducer body mounted on the distal end of a distal actuating rod with the transducer body carrying an ultrasound transducer. The distal actuating rod is mounted on the distal end of a plurality of concentric, springs wound in opposite directions extending concentrically through the catheter and terminating in a proximal actuating rod. A flexible bag filled with an acoustic coupling fluid is mounted at the distal end of the catheter. The bag surrounds the transducer body to isolate it from the external environment and retain the acoustic coupling fluid. When the probe is to be inserted through a narrow passage, the proximal actuating rod is advanced into the catheter to extend the transducer body against the flexible bag. As a result, the bag elongates and its width is reduced. When the probe is to be used for imaging, the proximal actuating rod is retracted to withdraw the transducer body away from the bag and allow the bag to expand radially so that it can conform to a surface through which an image is to be obtained.
A miniature ultrasound imaging probe comprising:
A miniature ultrasound imaging probe comprising:
A miniature ultrasound imaging probe comprising:
A miniature ultrasound imaging probe comprising:
A method of adapting an ultrasound imaging probe alternatively for insertion through a relatively narrow passage or for internal imaging, said probe having a probe tip mounted at the distal end of an elongated, flexible catheter, said probe tip having a ultrasound transducer, a flexible bag sealingly surrounding said transducer thereby isolating said transducer from the external environment, and an impedance matching fluid surrounding said transducer and retained by said bag, said method comprising selectively altering the shape of said bag between a first configuration and second configuration, in which the distal end of said bag extends longitudinally in a direction away from said catheter to elongate said bag, said bag in said first configuration extending laterally away from said transducer in at least one direction so that said bag can conform to a surface through which an image is to be obtained during use for internal imaging, and said bag in said second configuration having a reduced width to facilitate the insertion of said transducer through said scope biopsy channel.
A method of adapting an ultrasound imaging probe alternatively for insertion through a relatively narrow passage or for internal imaging, said probe having a probe tip mounted at the distal end of an elongated, flexible catheter, said probe tip having a ultrasound transducer, a flexible bag sealingly surrounding said transducer thereby isolating said transducer from the external environment, and an impedance matching fluid surrounding said transducer and retained by said bag, said method comprising selectively altering the shape of said bag between first and second configurations, said bag in said first configuration extending laterally away from said transducer in at least one direction so that said bag can conform to a surface through which an image is to be obtained during use for internal imaging, and said bag in said second configuration having a reduced width to facilitate the insertion of said transducer through said scope biopsy channel, said method further including the step of selectively enclosing said flexible bag with a tube when said probe is to be inserted through said scope biopsy channel thereby protecting said bag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.