Probe and system for use with an ultrasound device

• US 10,610,195 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2012
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Soma Research, LLC
• Original Assignee: Soma Research, LLC
• Inventors: Hagy, M. Dexter, Ridley, Stephen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cwern, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US13/649,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20130041254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,735 Days
• Field of Search: 600461
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3407 including a base for support on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3413 guided by ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4411 Device being modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4422 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest

Abstract

Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Claims

1. A probe for use with an ultrasound device, the probe comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a subdermal probe tip, the second end comprising a target for a detector, the target comprising an array of permanent magnets.

2. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a base plate comprising a magnetically permeable material, wherein the target is mounted on the base plate.

3. The probe of claim 1, wherein a maximum magnetic flux density of the array of permanent magnets is at a center line of the target.

4. The probe of claim 3, wherein the magnetic flux density decreases as a function of the distance moved away from the target.

5. The probe of claim 1, wherein the array of permanent magnets comprises permanent magnets having a circular cross section.

6. The probe of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a needle, a biopsy needle, a tube, or a blade.

7. A system for use with an ultrasound device, the system comprising:

a probe comprising a subdermal probe tip,

a target for a detector, the target comprising a permanent magnet, wherein the target is associated with an end of the probe, the subdermal probe tip being at a first end of the probe and the target being associated with a second opposite end of the probe; and

a sterilizable shield for the ultrasound device;

wherein

the permanent magnet has a magnetic field strength that is non-contact detectable at a distance of 3.5 millimeters from the permanent magnet.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sterilizable shield defines a probe guide therethrough.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the sterilizable shield comprises multiple sections capable of assembly with one another.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the multiple sections comprise a first section that defines a first portion of a probe guide and a second section that defines a second section of the probe guide, the probe guide comprising the first section and the second section.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the multiple sections of the sterilizable shield include a section that defines a probe guide therethrough.

12. The system according to claim 7, the sterilizable shield comprising a clamp for clamping the probe.

13. The system according to claim 7, wherein the probe comprises a needle, a biopsy needle, a tube, or a blade.

14. The system according to claim 7, wherein the target has a circular cross section, an axis of the circular cross section being aligned with the probe.

15. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a syringe.

16. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a base plate of a magnetically permeable material.

17. The system according to claim 7, the target comprising an array of permanent magnets.

18. The system according to claim 7, wherein the target is attachable to the second end of the probe.

19. A system for use with an ultrasound device, comprising:

a probe, the probe comprising a subdermally insertable end and an external end;

a target for a detector, the target comprising a permanent magnet having a magnetic field strength that is electronically, non-contact detectable at a distance from the target; and

a syringe that is attachable to the probe, wherein the target is mounted at a base of the syringe.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the distance is from 3.5 millimeters to 13.5 millimeters.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein a maximum magnetic flux density of the permanent magnet is at a center line of the target.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the target comprises an array of permanent magnets.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the probe comprises a needle, a tube, or a blade.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the probe is aligned with a center line of the target.