Radiation detecting biopsy probe
First Claim
1. A disposable shield for use with a radiation detecting biopsy probe, said probe comprising a body member formed of a radiation blocking material and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, said proximal end portion being arranged 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 a hidden source of radiation, said probe additionally comprising radiation detecting means located within said body member, a first radiation transparent window located at the distal end of said body member confronting said detecting means and through which radiation may pass to said detecting means, and a passageway extending through said distal end portion of said body member centered in said window, said passageway being arranged to guide a biopsy instrument therethrough when said distal end portion is oriented in a direction toward said hidden source of radiation, said shield comprising a tubular member having a distal end from which a disk-like cover member projects outward radially, said tubular member being arranged to be located within said passageway in said distal end of said probe, with the disk-like cover member overlying and covering said distal end portion of said probe.
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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.
142 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A disposable shield for use with a radiation detecting biopsy probe, said probe comprising a body member formed of a radiation blocking material and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, said proximal end portion being arranged 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 a hidden source of radiation, said probe additionally comprising radiation detecting means located within said body member, a first radiation transparent window located at the distal end of said body member confronting said detecting means and through which radiation may pass to said detecting means, and a passageway extending through said distal end portion of said body member centered in said window, said passageway being arranged to guide a biopsy instrument therethrough when said distal end portion is oriented in a direction toward said hidden source of radiation, said shield comprising a tubular member having a distal end from which a disk-like cover member projects outward radially, said tubular member being arranged to be located within said passageway in said distal end of said probe, with the disk-like cover member overlying and covering said distal end portion of said probe.
- 4. A collimator for use with a radiation detecting biopsy probe, said probe comprising a body member formed of a radiation blocking material and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, said proximal end portion being arranged 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 a hidden source of radiation, said probe additionally comprising radiation detecting means located within said body member, a first radiation transparent window located at the distal end of said body member confronting said detecting means and through which radiation may pass to said detecting means, and a passageway extending through said distal end portion of said body member centered in said window, said passageway being arranged to guide a biopsy instrument therethrough when said distal end portion is oriented in a direction toward said hidden source of radiation, said collimator comprising a disk-like member having a central opening therein and mounting means, said disk-like member being arranged to overlie and cover said distal end portion of said probe, whereupon said disk-like cover member blocks a portion of radiation from passing therethrough to establish a desired field of view of said probe.
Specification