# US 5,699,803 A · Method of performing ultrasonic examination

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,699,803 A
- Document ID: US5699803A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/689,416
- Filed: 1996-08-09
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-08-09
- Assignees: Emerson Electric Co.
- Inventors: Thomas J. Carodiskey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699803A

## CPC

- A61B 8/4281: {characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A method of performing an ultrasonic examination with a transducer/receiver through a coupling gel including loading the coupling gel in a stand-on-end container which can be maintained in an upside down, standby position without leaking; maintaining the container in a standby position; applying the coupling gel to a subject; performing the ultrasonic examination with the transducer/receiver through the coupling gel; reading the ultrasonic image; and returning the container to the standby position for ready use.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of applying couplant required for an ultrasonic transducer reading comprising the steps of:
loading ultrasonic transducer couplant in a container having at least a first open end for dispensing the couplant and a structure for closing the open end;
opening the structure closing the first end of the container so couplant is ready to apply;
placing the open end of the container in a vertical standby position, open end down, so that couplant feeds towards the open end and is ready for use;
applying couplant to a test subject having an ultrasonic test;
applying an ultrasonic transducer at the couplant;
reading ultrasonic data produced by said transducer through the couplant;
returning the container to the standby position; and
preventing couplant flow from the container in the standby position through said structure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein couplant is provided for hand-held directly coupled ultrasonic examination.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the container further includes a fastening device for releasably fastening the container to a user so that the container is suspended in the standby position when not applying couplant.

### Claim 4

A method of performing an ultrasonic examination on a subject with an ultrasonic transducer/receiver comprising the steps of:
placing a container of couplant in a standby position wherein the container is placed with a dispensing orifice faced vertically downwardly so that couplant feeds towards the dispensing orifice to facilitate evacuation of the couplant from the container, the container including a valve mechanism to prevent unwanted outflow of the couplant while the couplant is in the standby position;
applying the couplant to the subject;
applying the ultrasonic transducer/receiver to the couplant;
obtaining ultrasonic data through the transducer/receiver; and
reading the ultrasonic data.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4 wherein the standby position further includes suspending the container in it's standby position when not being used for couplant application.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the container is suspended from the body of a user.

### Claim 7

A container for the ready application of a transducer coupling gel comprising:
a hollow body for the loading of coupling gel, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end having an outflow orifice formed therein;
a dispensing cap at said first end and fluid connection with said outflow orifice, said dispensing cap having a valve mechanism therein for preventing the unwanted flow of the coupling gel through the dispensing cap, said dispensing cap having at least one flat area for supporting said container in a standby, cap downward position enabling couplant to feed towards said cap; and
a suspending loop along said second end for releasably suspending the container in it's standby position so that couplant is immediately available for use upon activation of said valve.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The container of claim 7 wherein said one flat surface area supports said container on a surface in its downward position.