US 8,012,095 B2Granted

Immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe

AssigneeESI, Inc.

InventorsThomas C. Prager, Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten, William T. Ryder

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe/seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.

Claims35

Dependent claims

An immersion bag system for interfacing an ultrasound probe with the surface of an object to be examined, the ultrasound probe having a body and a transducer extending from the body, the immersion bag system comprising:

a. reservoir of ultrasound transmission media;
b. flexible immersion bag for internally retaining the reservoir of ultrasound transmission media in communication with the transducer;
and,
c. means for sealingly connecting the bag to the body of the ultrasound probe, wherein the means to sealingly connect includes:
i. a flexible collar, an integral annual seal in the flexible collar for sealing about the upper open end, wherein the integral annular internal seal having at least one self-sealing valve extending along, about and through the annular internal seal thereby providing a unidirectional air passage, thereby providing for the escape of air or liquid from within the immersion bag to limit the pressure therein and close upon equalization between the immersion bag interior and ambient pressure;
ii. a capture ring, snappingly engagable within the flexible collar and having an annular groove and an opening for engaging a lip of the immersion bag;
iii. an O-ring for securing the lip of the immersion bag in the annular groove of the capture ring;
and,
iv. a maneuvering ring, frictionally engagable over and about the flexible collar;
and,
d. means for sealingly connecting the bag to the body of the ultrasound probe.

8 more elements

a. a reservoir of ultrasound transmission media;
b. a substantially inelastic, flexible immersion bag for internally retaining the reservoir of ultrasound transmission media in communication with the transducer;
c. means for slidingly and sealingly connecting the bag to the body of the ultrasound probe including:
(1) a flexible collar having an integral annular flexible seal for engaging the body of the probe, the seal further includes at least one self-sealing valve extending along, about, and through the annular seal thereby providing a unidirectional air passage, thereby providing for the escape of air or liquid from within the immersion bag to limit the pressure therein and close upon equalization between the immersion bag interior and ambient pressure;
(2) a capture ring, snappingly engagable within the flexible collar and having an annular groove and an opening for engaging a lip of the immersion bag;
(3) an O-ring for securing the lip of the immersion bag in the annular groove of the capture ring;
and,
(4) a maneuvering ring, frictionally engagable over and about the flexible collar;
and,
d. means for regulating pressure within the immersion bag within a narrow slightly positive range when the immersion bag shape is modified by exterior contact with the surface of the object to be examined, so as to reduce bag rupture and reduce wrinkling of the bag.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/701,235Filed 1 Feb 2007 · continuation in part
Priority: 17 Feb 2006
Published: US 2008/0161693 A13 Jul 2008
Granted: 6 Sep 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

A61B 8/4281
Involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue: characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the…
A61B 8/10
Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves: eye inspection
G01N 29/28
Details , e.g. general constructional or apparatus details: providing acoustic coupling , e.g. water
A61B
Medical diagnosis and surgery

Family

Application11/356,873Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 17 Feb 2006
US 2008/0161693 A1Pre-grant publication · published 3 Jul 2008
US 2007/0239030 A1Published application
US 8,012,094 B2Related patent
US 8,012,095 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.