Ergonomic transducer housing and methods for ultrasound imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for ultrasound scanning with a transducer, the method comprising:
- positioning an upper surface of the transducer in a palm of a user with the upper surface shaped to allow at least the thumb, a finger or thumb and finger of the user to extend off of the upper surface in a direction generally down towards an acoustic window of the transducer, the acoustic window of the transducer being a lower surface and the upper surface being substantially opposite the lower surface; and
moving the transducer in response, at least in part, to force applied by the palm of the user against the upper surface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A palmar surface may allow for ease of gripping an ultrasound transducer probe. By facing the palmar surface so that the users hand is directed downwards, towards the patient'"'"'s skin, during use, less wrist flexing may result. To allow for gripping, the cable extends from the transducer at a location other than the top of the transducer. Elastomer or other soft materials increase grip.
37 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method for ultrasound scanning with a transducer, the method comprising:
-
positioning an upper surface of the transducer in a palm of a user with the upper surface shaped to allow at least the thumb, a finger or thumb and finger of the user to extend off of the upper surface in a direction generally down towards an acoustic window of the transducer, the acoustic window of the transducer being a lower surface and the upper surface being substantially opposite the lower surface; and
moving the transducer in response, at least in part, to force applied by the palm of the user against the upper surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A transducer housing for ultrasound imaging, the transducer housing comprising:
-
an acoustic window for positioning an array of transducing elements adjacent to skin of a patient;
a palmar surface substantially parallel with the acoustic window. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A transducer housing for ultrasound imaging, the transducer housing comprising:
-
an acoustic window for positioning an array of transducing elements adjacent to skin of a patient;
a palmar surface having a maximum circumference in a first plane substantially parallel with the acoustic window, a cross sectional area being substantially aligned with the maximum circumference greater than any other cross sectional area in planes substantially parallel but different than the first plane. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A transducer housing for ultrasound imaging, the transducer housing comprising:
-
an acoustic window for positioning an array of transducing elements adjacent to skin of a patient, an orthogonal vector extending from a center of the acoustic window;
a palmar surface intersecting the orthogonal vector; and
a cable extending from the housing at a location spaced away from the orthogonal vector. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification