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US 6,210,337 B1Granted
Ultrasonic endoscopic probe
AssigneeATL Ultrasound, Inc.
InventorsPaul T. Dunham, Tracy C. Brechbiel, Calvin R. Zimmerman, Frank Bentley Oaks
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AssigneeATL Ultrasound, Inc.
InventorsPaul T. Dunham, Tracy C. Brechbiel, Calvin R. Zimmerman, Frank Bentley Oaks
Estimating the term…
An ultrasonic endoscopic probe is provided with an articulating distal tip at which and ultrasonic transducer is located. The articulating section of the probe can be locked in an articulated position by a lock control located at a control section of the probe. The locking force is variably selectable by the user, so that the articulating section will be locked in position by a desired force. The articulating section is controlled by cables, which include cable tension adjustments that also serve to delimit the range of articulation. The articulating section is formed of alternating pivot rings with intervening polymeric pivot beads, which provide repetitively smooth articulation. The ultrasonic transducer is rotatable to steer the acoustic scan plane during use, and a sliding membrane between the transducer and its acoustic window allows the transducer to rotate smoothly without sticking.
An ultrasonic endoscopic probe including a control section and a distal end at which a rotatable ultrasonic transducer is located, comprising:
An ultrasonic endoscopic probe including a control section and a distal end at which a rotatable ultrasonic transducer assembly is located, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.