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Ultrasonic probe having articulated structure and rotatable transducer head

  • US 5,413,107 A
  • Filed: 02/16/1994
  • Issued: 05/09/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic probe assembly, comprising:

  • a generally cylindrical elongated transducer head, adapted to be placed in a stationary position against a body part to be ultrasonically examined, and comprising a transducer array comprising a plurality of transducer elements individually excitable to emit ultrasonic energy in a predetermined pattern;

    an elongated probe, said probe including a controllably-articulable section disposed near the distal end of said probe, the axes of elongation of said transducer head and of said probe being substantially coaxial when said articulable section is straight;

    first control means at a proximal end of said probe for controlling articulation of said articulable section of said probe in at least one plane of articulation;

    said transducer head being mounted to a distal end of said articulable section of said probe by means permitting rotation of said transducer head about its axis of elongation;

    second control means at a proximal end of said probe for controlling rotation of said transducer head about its axis of elongation, such that the relative circumferential position of said transducer array with respect to said plane of articulation may be controlled; and

    electrical conductor means extending along the length of said probe for carrying excitation signals and detected signals between said proximal end of said probe and said transducer head.

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