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 comprising a couplant layer having a couplant, and a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer, the body contact layer having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the couplant from the couplant layer 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 with minimal to no attenuation.
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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.
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Citations
31 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 having a couplant, and a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer, the body contact layer having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the couplant from the couplant layer 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 with minimal to no attenuation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. 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 having a couplant, and a body contact layer adjacent the couplant layer, the body contact layer having a plurality of openings which allow controlled release of the couplant from the couplant layer through the openings to the surface of the body; contacting the ultrashield to the surface of the body so that the ultrashield creates an uninterrupted pathway of acoustic conductance from the faceplate of the probe to the surface of the body without externally applied couplant to the probe or the surface of the body; and transmitting ultrasound through the surface of the body with the faceplate of the ultrasound probe. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification