Ergonomic probes

• US 20080287750A1
• Filed: 05/01/2007
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dune Medical Devices Ltd. (Dilon Technologies LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dune Medical Devices Ltd. (Dilon Technologies LLC)
• Inventors: Geltner, Iddo, Hashimshony, Dan, Cohen, Gil
• Application Number:
  US11/797,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20080287750A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/395 with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0055 by applying suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/444 Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4417 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/06 reversible or adjustable for position
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/102 : the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip

Abstract

An ergonomic device for intraoperative tissue characterization is provided, having a gripping handle and a sensor head, arranged with an angle α between them, wherein in absolute value, α>10 degrees, and α may be adjusted in one, two, or three planes. The device may further comprise a light fixture, configured for lighting the tissue, as it is characterized, a marking module, configured for marking the tissue, as it is characterized, a vacuum system, for improved contact between a sensing surface and the tissue, and a transparent frame, which enables an operator to observe the tissue, as it is characterized. The device may be operative with at least one sensor, selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a nonirradiative RF sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

Claims

1. An ergonomic device for intraoperative tissue characterization, comprising:

a body, which comprises;

proximal and distal portions, with respect to the tissue, as it is characterized;

a gripping handle, at the distal portion; and

a sensor head, at the proximal portion, the sensor head comprising at least one sensor for tissue characterization,

wherein the gripping handle and the sensor head are arranged at an angle α

, wherein in absolute value, α

>

10 degrees.

2. The ergonomic device of claim 1, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable.

3. The ergonomic device of claim 1, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in two planes.

4. The ergonomic device of claim 1, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in three planes.

5. The ergonomic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor head further includes a vacuum system, for improved contact between a sensing surface and the tissue to be characterized.

6. The ergonomic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor head further includes a light fixture, configured for lighting the tissue, as it is characterized.

7. The ergonomic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor head further includes a marking module, configured for marking the tissue, as it is characterized.

8. The ergonomic device of claim 1, wherein the sensor head further includes a transparent frame, which surrounds the at least one sensor and enables an operator to observe the tissue, as it is characterized, through it.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is an irradiative sensor, selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, and an ultrasound sensor.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a nonirradiative RF sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

11. The device of claim 1, and further comprising a plurality of sensors.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors, selected from the group consisting of optical sensors, X-ray sensors, RF sensors, MW sensors, infrared thermography sensors, ultrasound sensors, MR sensors, impedance sensors, temperature sensors, biosensors, chemical sensors, radioactive-emission sensors, mechanical sensors, and nonirradiative RF sensors.

14. An ergonomic device for intraoperative tissue characterization, comprising:

a body, which comprises;

proximal and distal portions, with respect to the tissue, as it is characterized;

a gripping handle, at the distal portion; and

a sensor head, at the proximal portion, the sensor head comprising;

at least one sensor for tissue characterization; and

a light fixture, configured for lighting the tissue, as it is characterized.

15. The ergonomic device of claim 14, wherein the gripping handle and the sensor head are arranged at an angle α

, wherein in absolute value, α

>

10 degrees.

16. The ergonomic device of claim 15, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable.

17. The ergonomic device of claim 15, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in two planes.

18. The ergonomic device of claim 15, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in three planes.

19. The ergonomic device of claim 14, wherein the sensor head further includes a vacuum system, for improved contact between a sensing surface and the tissue to be characterized.

20. The ergonomic device of claim 14, wherein the sensor head further includes a marking module, configured for marking the tissue, as it is characterized.

21. The ergonomic device of claim 14, wherein the sensor head further includes a transparent frame, which surrounds the at least one sensor and enables an operator to observe the tissue, as it is characterized, through it.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor is an irradiative sensor, selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, and an ultrasound sensor.

23. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a nonirradiative RF sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

24. The device of claim 14, and further comprising a plurality of sensors.

25. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors.

26. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors, selected from the group consisting of optical sensors, X-ray sensors, RF sensors, MW sensors, infrared thermography sensors, ultrasound sensors, MR sensors, impedance sensors, temperature sensors, biosensors, chemical sensors, radioactive-emission sensors, mechanical sensors, and nonirradiative RF sensors.

27. An ergonomic device for intraoperative tissue characterization, comprising:

a body, which comprises;

proximal and distal portions, with respect to the tissue, as it is characterized;

a gripping handle, at the distal portion; and

a sensor head, at the proximal portion, the sensor head comprising;

at least one sensor for tissue characterization; and

a marking module, configured for marking the tissue, as it is characterized.

28. The ergonomic device of claim 27, wherein the gripping handle and the sensor head are arranged at an angle α

x, wherein in absolute value, α

>

10 degrees.

29. The ergonomic device of claim 28, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable.

30. The ergonomic device of claim 28, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in two planes.

31. The ergonomic device of claim 28, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in three planes.

32. The ergonomic device of claim 27, wherein the sensor head further includes a vacuum system, for improved contact between a sensing surface and the tissue to be characterized.

33. The ergonomic device of claim 27, wherein the sensor head further includes a light fixture, configured for lighting the tissue, as it is characterized.

34. The ergonomic device of claim 27, wherein the sensor head further includes a transparent frame, which surrounds the at least one sensor and enables an operator to observe the tissue, as it is characterized, through it.

35. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one sensor is an irradiative sensor, selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, and an ultrasound sensor.

36. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a nonirradiative RF sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

37. The device of claim 27, and further comprising a plurality of sensors.

38. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors.

39. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors, selected from the group consisting of optical sensors, X-ray sensors, RF sensors, MW sensors, infrared thermography sensors, ultrasound sensors, MR sensors, impedance sensors, temperature sensors, biosensors, chemical sensors, radioactive-emission sensors, mechanical sensors, and nonirradiative RF sensors.

40. An ergonomic device for intraoperative tissue characterization, comprising:

a body, which comprises;

proximal and distal portions, with respect to the tissue, as it is characterized;

a gripping handle, at the distal portion; and

a sensor head, at the proximal portion, the sensor head comprising;

at least one sensor for tissue characterization; and

a transparent frame, which surrounds the at least one sensor and enables an operator to observe the tissue, as it is characterized, through it.

41. The ergonomic device of claim 40, wherein the gripping handle and the sensor head are arranged at an angle α

, wherein in absolute value, α

>

10 degrees.

42. The ergonomic device of claim 41, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable.

43. The ergonomic device of claim 41, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in two planes.

44. The ergonomic device of claim 41, wherein the angle α

between the gripping handle and the sensor head is adjustable in three planes.

45. The ergonomic device of claim 40, wherein the sensor head further includes a vacuum system, for improved contact between a sensing surface and the tissue to be characterized.

46. The ergonomic device of claim 40, wherein the sensor head further includes a light fixture, configured for lighting the tissue, as it is characterized.

47. The ergonomic device of claim 40, wherein the sensor head further includes a marking module, configured for marking the tissue, as it is characterized.

48. The device of claim 40, wherein the at least one sensor is an irradiative sensor, selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, and an ultrasound sensor.

49. The device of claim 40, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a nonirradiative RF sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

50. The device of claim 40, and further comprising a plurality of sensors.

51. The device of claim 40, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors.

52. The device of claim 40, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two different types of sensors, selected from the group consisting of optical sensors, X-ray sensors, RF sensors, MW sensors, infrared thermography sensors, ultrasound sensors, MR sensors, impedance sensors, temperature sensors, biosensors, chemical sensors, radioactive-emission sensors, mechanical sensors, and nonirradiative RF sensors.