Radiation detecting biopsy probe
First Claim
1. A biopsy probe for detecting ionizing radiation emanating from a hidden source in a being'"'"'s body when held adjacent said hidden source, said probe comprising a body member formed of an ionizing radiation blocking material and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, said proximal end portion being adapted to be held in the hand of a user, said distal end portion extending at an angle to said proximal end portion and arranged to be directed toward a suspected location of said hidden source of ionizing radiation, said probe additionally comprising means for detecting ionizing radiation, said means for detecting ionizing radiation comprising a generally cylindrical scintillation crystal having a cylindrical opening extending therethrough and being located within said distal end portion of said body member, an ionizing radiation transparent window located at the distal end of said body member confronting said scintillation crystal and through which said ionizing radiation may pass to said scintillation crystal, and a generally cylindrical passageway having a protective sleeve fixedly secured within said passageway, said passageway extending through said distal end portion of said body member centered in said window and said scintillation crystal, said sleeve extending along the full length of said opening in said crystal, said generally cylindrical passageway being arranged to guide a thin instrument therethrough to take a specimen of tissue from the body of the being when said distal end portion is oriented in a direction toward said hidden source of ionizing radiation, and wherein said tissue specimen may be held with said passageway by said instrument, whereupon radiation emanating from said specimen will be detected by said scintillation crystal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biopsy probe for detecting radiation emanating from a hidden source in a patient. The probe comprises a body member formed of a radiation blocking material and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The proximal end portion is arranged to be held in the hand of a user. The probe comprises a radiation detector, e.g., a scintillation crystal, located within the distal portion of body member, a first radiation transparent window located at the distal end of the body member confronting the detector and through which radiation may pass to the detector, and a passageway extending through the distal end portion of the body member centered in the window and the detecting means. The passageway is arranged to guide a thin instrument, e.g., a biopsy needle, therethrough when the distal end portion is oriented in a direction toward the hidden source of radiation. A disposable cover/shield is also provided for releasable securement to the distal end of the probe to protect it from contamination. A collimator is also provided for releasable securement to the probe to reduce the probe'"'"'s field of view.
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Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A biopsy probe for detecting ionizing radiation emanating from a hidden source in a being'"'"'s body when held adjacent said hidden source, said probe comprising a body member formed of an ionizing radiation blocking material and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, said proximal end portion being adapted to be held in the hand of a user, said distal end portion extending at an angle to said proximal end portion and arranged to be directed toward a suspected location of said hidden source of ionizing radiation, said probe additionally comprising means for detecting ionizing radiation, said means for detecting ionizing radiation comprising a generally cylindrical scintillation crystal having a cylindrical opening extending therethrough and being located within said distal end portion of said body member, an ionizing radiation transparent window located at the distal end of said body member confronting said scintillation crystal and through which said ionizing radiation may pass to said scintillation crystal, and a generally cylindrical passageway having a protective sleeve fixedly secured within said passageway, said passageway extending through said distal end portion of said body member centered in said window and said scintillation crystal, said sleeve extending along the full length of said opening in said crystal, said generally cylindrical passageway being arranged to guide a thin instrument therethrough to take a specimen of tissue from the body of the being when said distal end portion is oriented in a direction toward said hidden source of ionizing radiation, and wherein said tissue specimen may be held with said passageway by said instrument, whereupon radiation emanating from said specimen will be detected by said scintillation crystal.
Specification