Apparatus and method of holding and manipulating small ultrasound transducers
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorsJames B. Seward, Charles J. Bruce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for holding and manipulating a miniaturized ultrasound transducer includes a flexible member, a retaining member, and a control member. The miniaturized ultrasound transducer is mounted on the flexible member proximate a distal end of the flexible member. The retaining member retains the flexible member proximate the distal end of the flexible member. The control member is coupled to the retaining member and is operable to move the retained flexible member and ultrasound transducer to optimize ultrasound visualization.
Claims7
An apparatus for holding and manipulating a miniaturized ultrasound transducer, comprising:
- a flexible member having a distal end, whereby proximate the distal end of the flexible member being mountable for the miniaturized ultrasound transducer;
- a retaining member retaining the flexible member proximate the distal end of the flexible member;
- a control member, coupled to the retaining member, being operable to move the retained flexible member and ultrasound transducer to optimize ultrasound visualization;
- and
- the retaining member includes a hollow tube, a handle, a rigid shaft, and a clip, the flexible member is inserted through the hollow tube within the handle and is held in position by the clip affixed to the rigid shaft, the control member includes a trigger mechanism having a trigger and a wire, and the wire is connected to the flexible member and the trigger, the trigger is operable to control the movements of the flexible member and the ultrasound transducer.
A method of holding and manipulating a miniaturized ultrasound transducer, comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible member, the miniaturized ultrasound transducer being mounted on the flexible member proximate the distal end of the flexible member;
- retaining the flexible member in a retaining member proximate the distal end of the flexible member;
- moving the retained flexible member and ultrasound transducer in various directions to optimize ultrasound visualization by a control member, the control member being coupled to the retaining member;
- wherein the step of moving the retained flexible member and ultrasound transducer includes the steps of:
- providing the retaining member with a hollow tube, a handle, a rigid shaft, and a clip, the flexible member being inserted through the hollow tube within the handle and being held in position by the clip affixed to the rigid shaft;
- and
- providing the control member with a trigger mechanism having a trigger and a wire, the wire being connected to the flexible member and the trigger;
- and pulling the trigger in different degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.