Surgical probe apparatus and system

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,
• a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;
• a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface, said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;
• a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said access channel and into said support internal cavity;
• a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;
• a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face, said retainer and grounding assembly including an electrically conductive annular ring positioned upon said crystal mount at said mount cavity edge, compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove and including at least one resilient ground conveying tine in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,
• a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;
• a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface, said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;
• a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said access channel and into said support internal cavity;
• a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;
• a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face, said retainer and grounding assembly including a flat ring formed of resilient metal positioned upon and coextensive with said mount cavity edge and compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove, said ring including a plurality of inwardly depending ground conveying tines in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,
• a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;
• a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface;
• a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge, said rigid polymeric crystal receiver including an elongate integrally formed stem positioned within and extending through said access channel;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said stem and into said support internal cavity;
• a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;
• a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a handle component extending from a rearward end to a forward end, having a handle wall surmounting an interior handle cavity,
• a detector forward support extending forwardly from said handle component forward end to a forward region with a forwardly facing tip, having a support wall surmounting a support internal cavity and having an externally disposed support connection region at said forward region;
• a crystal mount, formed of material attenuating said radiation, having a mount rear portion with a rear surface mounted within said support internal cavity and extending forwardly from said tip with a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent to a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior bottom surface and interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, said mount having an access channel extending from said interior bottom surface to said rear surface;
• a rigid, polymeric electrically insulative crystal receiver mounted within said mount cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity interior bottom surface through said access channel and into said support internal cavity;
• a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting direct engagement with said lead assembly at said receiving cavity interior bottom surface, said crystal detector extending to a forward face adjacent said mount cavity edge and being responsive to radiation impinging upon said forward face to provide a detector output;
• a cup-shaped window assembly including a side portion having an open cylindrical interior surface, having a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed connection region located rearwardly therefrom and said side portion having a side portion length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance forwardly from said mount cavity edge when said connection region is connected with said support connection region, and a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and coupling electrical ground to said crystal mount, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith, said treatment circuit including an integrator stage having components mounted upon a circuit board, said circuit board being fixed to said crystal mount rear portion, said components being located in close adjacency with said rear portion and said access channel;
• and
• a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said mount cavity edge, abuttably and compressibly retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.

A surgical system for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission emanating from tissue of a body, comprising:

• a detector assembly, comprising:
• a detector forward support having a generally cylindrical outer wall surmounting an interior support cavity and disposed about a detector axis;
• a crystal mount formed of metal material attenuating said radiation emission having a generally cylindrical configuration, disposed about said detector axis, having a rearward portion mounted within said support cavity and extending forwardly with a cylindrical outer mount surface, having a forwardly disposed crystal retention cavity opening forwardly along said detector axis, having a cavity interior surface extending to a forward mount cavity edge, and an access channel extending from the bottom of said cavity interior surface through said rearward portion;
• a rigid, polymeric electrically insulated crystal receiver mounted within said crystal retention cavity and having a forwardly opening crystal receiving cavity with an interior bottom surface and an interior sidewall surface extending toward said mount cavity edge;
• a detector rearward support extending along a support axis, having a shoulder portion fixed to said detector forward support, having a rearwardly depending shoulder surface, and including a positioning shaft extending a predetermined length from said shoulder surface, said shoulder portion and said positioning shaft surmounting an internal shaft cavity communicating with said access channel;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving forward lead assembly extending from said crystal receiving cavity bottom surface through said access channel and into said internal shaft cavity;
• a cup-shaped window assembly mounted upon said detector forward support over said crystal mount and having a radiation transmissible window portion extending over and spaced from said forward mount cavity edge and said outer mount surface to respectively define a forward gap and a side gap;
• a crystal detector mounted in closely nesting relationship within said crystal receiving cavity, having a rearward face in abutting engagement with said forward lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and extending along a side surface to a forward face adjacent said forward edge, said detector being responsive to radiation passing through said window portion to provide a detector output;
• a treatment circuit located within said internal shaft cavity for applying a bias to said detector crystal rearward face through said forward lead assembly, for applying ground to said detector forward support housing, said crystal mount, said window assembly and said detector rearward support and for electrically treating said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• a retainer and grounding assembly mounted upon said crystal mount and over said forward cavity edge, abuttably, compressibly and rigidly retaining said crystal detector against said forward lead assembly at said receiving cavity bottom surface and abuttibly conveying electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face;
• and
• an electrical terminal assembly mounted upon said positioning shaft and in electrical communication with said treatment circuit;
• a disposable handle component, including:
• a hand gripable handle housing having a forwardly disposed retainer portion with a receiving cavity configured for removably receiving said positioning shaft to locate it at an operative orientation;
• an electrical contact assemblage mounted within said handle housing adjacent said receiving cavity and having electrical contacts mounted thereon engageable in circuit completing relationship with said electrical terminal assembly when said positioning shaft is in said operative orientation;
• a flexible electrical transmission cable coupled to said handle housing and having electrical leads connected with electrical contact assemblage electrical contacts and extending to an electrical connector component;
• and
• a signal treatment and control assembly having an input connector for removable electrical coupling with said cable electrical connector component and responsive to said output signals conveyed by said cable to provide perceptible output signals.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;
• a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;
• a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face;
• a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;
• a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;
• said sleeve shield and said window being formed as a cup-shaped window assembly, said sleeve shield having an open cylindrical interior surface with a forward portion of second diametric extent greater than said first diametric extent to define a side gap with said crystal mount, an internally disposed sleeve shield connection region located rearwardly from said forward portion and connected with said housing connection region, said sleeve shield having a sleeve shield length extending between a rear edge and a forward end, said forward end extending a forward gap defining distance from said mount cavity edge when said sleeve shield connection region is connected with said housing connection region, and said window extending over said forward end to define said forward gap;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;
• a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;
• a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face;
• a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;
• a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface, said retainer assembly being formed of electrically conductive material and abuttably coupling electrical ground from said crystal mount to said crystal detector forward face.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;
• a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric exten,t said crystal seating surface forming an interior bottom surface of a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, and said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;
• a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly, having a side surface extending to a forward face, and being mounted in closely nesting relationship within said mount cavity, said forward face of said crystal detector being adjacent said mount cavity edge;
• a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;
• a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface and including an electrically conductive annular ring positioned upon said crystal mount at said mount cavity edge, compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove, coupled with said electrical ground, and including at least one resilient ground conveying tine in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;
• a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent, said crystal seating surface forming an interior bottom surface of a forwardly opening mount cavity with an interior side surface extending forwardly to a mount cavity edge, and said crystal mount being formed having a retainer groove spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said mount cavity edge;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;
• a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face and being mounted in closely nesting relationship within said mount cavity, said forward face of said crystal being adjacent said mount cavity edge;
• a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;
• a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface, said retainer assembly including a flat ring formed of resilient metal coupled with said electrical ground positioned upon and coextensive with said mount cavity edge and compressibly retained thereon from said retainer groove, said ring including a plurality of inwardly depending ground conveying tines in compressive abutting engagement with said crystal detector forward face.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;
• a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;
• a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face, said forward face of said crystal detector being configured with a surface coating of a given metal;
• a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;
• a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith;
• and
• a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface, said retainer assembly being configured with a surface coating of said given metal.

Probe apparatus for detecting and locating sources of radiation emission, comprising:

• a hand supportable housing extending from a rearward end to a forward region, having a wall surmounting an interior handle cavity, said wall having a housing connection region;
• a crystal mount, formed of electrically insulative material and supported upon said housing forward region and having a forward portion with an outwardly disposed crystal seating surface and a rearward portion with a rear surface, said crystal mount having a cylindrical outer mount surface of first diametric extent;
• a bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly extending from said crystal seating surface into said handle cavity;
• a crystal detector having a rearward face supported upon said crystal seating surface in abutting contact with said bias conveying and signal receiving lead assembly and having a side surface extending to a forward face;
• a cylindrical sleeve shield formed of material attenuating said radiation, having an open interior surface, surmounting said crystal mount, co-extensive with said crystal detector side surface, and extending to a forward edge;
• a window, formed of radiation transmissive material extending over said sleeve shield forward edge;
• a treatment circuit located within said handle cavity for applying a bias to said crystal detector rearward face through said lead assembly and applying electrical ground to said crystal detector forward face, and responsive to said detector output to provide output signals corresponding therewith, said treatment circuit including an integrator stage having components mounted upon a circuit board, and said circuit board is fixed to said crystal mount rearward portion, said components being located in close adjacency with said rearward portion and said channel;
• and
• a retainer assembly abuttably and compressively retaining said crystal detector against said lead assembly at said crystal seating surface.