Acoustic medical sensor for ultrasound imaging

• US 20050096554A1
• Filed: 06/08/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sonivate Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonivate Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Beck, William A. Jr., Corbett, Scott S. III, Park, Eric, Hoyt, Joshua K., Daane, Laurence A., Reinisch, Dana, Cooke, Doug, Dudik, Evan M., Schutz, Ron
• Application Number:
  US10/863,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096554A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/187 Strain relief means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4227 characterised by straps, belts, cuffs or braces
• 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: H01R 13/2414 conductive elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery

Abstract

A finger mounted acoustic sensor. Various embodiments of the finger mounted acoustic sensors include sensors mounted within a casing designed to fit between fingers. The sensor may be rotated with respect to the casing. Other embodiments include mounting tubes for wearing on a finger. Sensors are embedded in the tube and on the rings such that they are easily positioned using technician'"'"'s fingers. Other embodiments include rings for mounting sensors on and for steadying the sensors. The hand and finger mounted sensors may be used to provide necessary pressure to the sensor and yet provide a sensor that may be manipulated using hand and finger motion. In other embodiments sensors having a local disconnect are disclosed. Such disconnects may be attached to the clothing of a medical professional, attached via a wrist or armband or the like. Various sensor packages may be accompanied by the use of a flat or flex cable to minimize the torque necessary to manipulate the sensor. Such sensors can be used with a ultrasound platform for generating, processing and displaying ultrasound images.

Claims

1. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

an hourglass shaped sensor casing having a top end and a bottom end;

an acoustic sensor mounted at the bottom end of the sensor casing; and

a orientation indicator coupled to the top end of the sensor casing such that the orientation indicator indicates the position of the sensor within the casing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the orientation indicator and acoustic sensor are coupled together and the coupled combination is rotatable with respect to the sensor casing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flat cable coupled to the acoustic sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flex cable coupled to the acoustic sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the orientation indicator comprises:

a circular cover the top of the sensor casing; and

a slot disposed within the circular cover.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the orientation indicator comprises:

a circular cover the top of the sensor casing; and

a tab disposed within the circular cover.

8. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a ring sized to fit on a finger;

a tract disposed within the circumference of the ring; and

a sensor disposed in the track such that the sensor may be rotated with respect to the tract.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of detents disposed within the tract, thereby creating one or more identifiable positions for the sensor.

11. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a fingertip shaped extension;

a sensor disposed within the fingertip shaped extension;

a circular gripping element that grips a finger; and

a lateral member that couples the fingertip shaped extension to the circular gripping element.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.

16. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a finger sleeve for gripping a finger;

a hinge disposed at one end of the finger sleeve;

a “

U”

bracket coupled to the hinge at the upper end; and

a sensor coupled to the lower end of the “

U”

bracket.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising at least one detent that provides an identifiable location of the “

U”

bracket with respect to the finger sleeve.

22. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a tube, having an open end for the insertion of a finger, and a closed end;

a sensor disposed in the circumference of the tube proximate to the closed end;

a ring, disposed such that the circumference of the ring is coupled to the circumference of the tube, such that a finger disposed in the ring is essentially parallel to a finger disposed within the tube.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

25. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.

27. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

an oval shaped pocket having an open end and a closed end, the pocket being of sufficient size to house two fingers disposed therein; and

a sensor disposed on the surface of the pocket.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.

32. An acoustic sensor array apparatus comprising:

a sensor mount having a flat side;

a ring, for containing a finger, coupled to the sensor mount such that the flat side of the sensor mount may be made essentially parallel to a palm of a hand wearing the ring; and

a plurality of sensors disposed on the flat side of the sensor mount such that a line connecting the sensors form a forty five degree angle with a finger disposed within the ring.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.

37. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a finger sleeve for wearing on a finger;

a slider sleeve coupled to and disposed in the same general orientation as the finger sleeve;

a slider disposed such that the slidable member has an interference fit within the slider sleeve; and

a sensor disposed at an end of the slider such that the sensor extends beyond the finger.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

40. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.

42. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a detent mechanism that provides at least one detent position of the slider.

43. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a sensor mount having a sensor coupled to the mount;

a slot disposed in the sensor mount; and

a rubber band disposed in the sensor mount slot.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

46. The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.

48. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a glove having a plurality of snap attachments, a cable electrically coupled to the snap attachments; and

a sensor that attaches to at least one of the plurality of snap attachments and makes an electrical connection to the cable.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

50. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the electrical coupling of the plurality of attachments are arranged in parallel.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the electrical coupling of the plurality of attachments comprise individual non-parallel connections with the cable.

52. An acoustic sensor apparatus comprising:

a tube having a closed end and an open end for receiving a finger;

a guide tube having both ends open and attached in parallel to the tube having one closed end; and

a sensor disposed on the closed end of the tube.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 further comprising a local disconnect coupled to the acoustic sensor.

54. The apparatus of claim 52 further comprising a sterilizable bag enclosure that encapsulates the acoustic sensor and the guide tube.

55. The apparatus of claim 52 further comprising a sterilizable glove that encapsulates the acoustic sensor and the guide tube.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the sterilizable glove further includes a local disconnect as part of the glove.