Ultrashield devices and methods for use in ultrasonic procedures
First Claim
1. A device for coupling with at least a faceplate of an ultrasound probe for ultrasound transmission through a surface of a body, the device comprising:
- an ultrashield comprisinga couplant layer, wherein the couplant layer comprises a couplant material having a couplant which is able to flow out of the couplant material, wherein eithera) the couplant material comprises a hydrogel and the couplant comprises water which is able to flow out of the hydrogel, orb) the couplant material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, a polymer matrix or a collagen material; and
a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer, the body contact layer comprised of a hydrophilic material having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the couplant which is able to flow out of the couplant material through the openings to the surface of the body,wherein the ultrashield provides ultrasound wave transmission from the faceplate of the ultrasound probe to the surface of the body.
2 Assignments
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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.
35 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A device for coupling with at least a faceplate of an ultrasound probe for ultrasound transmission through a surface of a body, the device comprising:
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an ultrashield comprising a couplant layer, wherein the couplant layer comprises a couplant material having a couplant which is able to flow out of the couplant material, wherein either a) the couplant material comprises a hydrogel and the couplant comprises water which is able to flow out of the hydrogel, or b) the couplant material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, a polymer matrix or a collagen material; and a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer, the body contact layer comprised of a hydrophilic material having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the couplant which is able to flow out of the couplant material through the openings to the surface of the body, 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)
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21. 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, wherein the ultrashield comprises a couplant layer, wherein the couplant layer comprises a couplant material having a couplant which is able to flow out of the couplant material, wherein either a) the couplant material comprises a hydrogel and the couplant comprises water which is able to flow out of the hydrogel, or b) the couplant material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, a polymer matrix or a collagen material having the couplant; and a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer, the body contact layer comprised of a hydrophilic material having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the couplant which is able to flow out of the couplant material through the openings to the surface of the body; moving the ultrasound probe so that the ultrashield glides along the surface of the body so that the couplant 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 (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification