Ultrashield devices and methods for use in ultrasonic procedures
First Claim
1. A device comprising an ultrashield for coupling with at least a faceplate of an ultrasound probe for ultrasound transmission through a surface of a body, the ultrashield comprising:
- a probe contact layer couplable with the faceplate so as to isolate the faceplate from gel and liquid;
an intermediate couplant layer adjacent the probe contact layer, wherein the couplant layer comprises a hydrogel holding water which is able to flow out of the hydrogel; and
a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer and opposite the probe contact layer, the body contact layer having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the water from the couplant layer through the openings to the surface of the body so that the water facilitates movement of the body contact layer across the surface of the body without application of gel to an external surface of the body contact layer,wherein the probe contact layer, intermediate couplant layer and body contact layer are stacked and adhered together to form a single multi-layered sheet, andwherein the ultrashield provides ultrasound wave transmission from the faceplate of the ultrasound probe to the surface of the body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and method are provided for ultrasound transmission without the need for external couplants, such as gels, which are typically used in conventional ultrasound procedures. In particular, ultrashields are provided for use with ultrasound probes, wherein the ultrashields have specialized layers to provide an uninterrupted pathway of acoustic conductance from the probe to the surface of the body throughout the procedure while introducing minimal to no attenuation of ultrasound wave transmission. In addition, combinations of ultrashields and probe covers are provided to provide additional features such as a microbial barrier.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A device comprising an ultrashield for coupling with at least a faceplate of an ultrasound probe for ultrasound transmission through a surface of a body, the ultrashield comprising:
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a probe contact layer couplable with the faceplate so as to isolate the faceplate from gel and liquid; an intermediate couplant layer adjacent the probe contact layer, wherein the couplant layer comprises a hydrogel holding water which is able to flow out of the hydrogel; and a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer and opposite the probe contact layer, the body contact layer having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the water from the couplant layer through the openings to the surface of the body so that the water facilitates movement of the body contact layer across the surface of the body without application of gel to an external surface of the body contact layer, wherein the probe contact layer, intermediate couplant layer and body contact layer are stacked and adhered together to form a single multi-layered sheet, and wherein the ultrashield provides ultrasound wave transmission from the faceplate of the ultrasound probe to the surface of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of transmitting ultrasound through a surface of a body with an ultrasound probe, the method comprising:
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covering a faceplate of the ultrasound probe with an ultrashield so that the faceplate is isolated from gel and liquid, wherein the ultrashield comprises a probe contact layer couplable with the faceplate, an intermediate couplant layer comprising a hydrogel holding water, and a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer and opposite the probe contact layer, the body contact layer having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the water from the couplant layer through the openings to the surface of the body so that the water facilitates movement of the body contact layer across the surface of the body without application of gel to an external surface of the body contact layer; wherein the probe contact layer, intermediate couplant layer and body contact layer are stacked and adhered together to form a single multi-layered sheet; moving the ultrasound probe so that the ultrashield glides along the surface of the body so that the water is released from the couplant layer through the openings to the surface of the body creating an uninterrupted pathway of acoustic conductance from the faceplate of the probe to the surface of the body; and transmitting ultrasound through the surface of the body with the faceplate of the ultrasound probe. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification