Device for accomodating at least one sonographic probe

• US 5,514,146 A
• Filed: 09/06/1994
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compumedics Germany GmbH, Washington University In St Louis
• Original Assignee: DWL Electronische Systeme GmbH, University of Washington
• Inventors: Lam, Arthur M., Kempf, Friedemann
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US08/301,130
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 128/662.05, 128/662.06, 606/130
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0808 for diagnosis of the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4227 characterised by straps, belts, cuffs or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue

Abstract

In a device for accommodating at least one sonographic probe (12) for adjusting it and fixing it on the skull of a patient comprising a support frame (10a) which can be mounted thereto and on which the probe (12) rests adjustably in a probe mounting (44), the support frame (10a) spectacles-like has a nose loop (55) and a pair of holding loops (16a) adjoining same at both sides, wherein two strip-like carrier tongues (38, 38a) are rotatably and longitudinally mounted on each holding loop (16a) and they are connected together at one end by a yoke (42) which is pivoted to them and which is part of the probe mounting (44). The spacing between the nose loop (55) on the one hand and plug-like transverse pins (22) for fixing in the ear region on the other hand is variably adjustable.

Claims

1. A device for accommodating at least one sonographic probe for adjusting said probe and for fixing the same to a patient'"'"'s skull, said device having a support frame which can be mounted to a skull, and on which frame the probe rests displaceably in a probe mounting, said support frame comprising:

a nose loop and two holding loops adjoining said nose loop at both sides thereof in a spectacles-like manner,

a pair of strip-like carrier tongues provided for each of said holding loops, for passing rotatably and longitudinally displaceably through the same,

wherein said pair of carrier tongues is pivotably connected at one end by a yoke, and wherein said yoke is part of said probe mounting.

2. The device as set for the in claim 1, wherein said support frame further comprises a plug-like transverse pin projecting from each of the free ends of the support frame, the distance between said transverse pin and said nose loop being adjustable.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plug-like transverse pin faces towards a respective other holding loop connected to said support frame.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said holding loops comprises a pair of mounting pins, and each of said carrier tongues has a longitudinal slot as a guide means for one of said mounting pins, for clamping said carrier tongues to said holding loops.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein a spacing of said pair of mounting pins approximately corresponds to a spacing of connecting points of carrier tongues to said yoke.

6. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said carrier tongues are disposed displaceably with said yoke on said holding loop of the support frame in a parallelogram-like manner.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the distance between said nose loop and said holding loops is adjustable.

8. The device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said nose loop is part of a screw element passing through said support frame.

9. The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said support frame further comprises a screw wheel rotatably mounted on said support frame, said screw element passing through said screw wheel.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said holding loop comprises a side portion, and further comprises a telescopic stripe for extending the same, said telescoping strip being provided displaceably and parallel to said side portion, wherein said plug-like transverse pin is provided on a free end of said telescopic strip.

11. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said plug-like transverse pin defines an angle with an axis of symmetry of said support frame, said angle being open to a side opposite to said nose loop.

12. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said holding loops are disposed displaceably relative to said nose loop in respect of height on said support frame.

13. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said holding loops comprises a pair of edge bars, said edge bars defining a longitudinal slot therebetween.

14. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said edge bars are connected by a plurality of rings, said rings being disposed in a plane of said edge bars.

15. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said edge bars provide a guide track for clamping devices.

16. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said probe mounting comprises a spherical surface for bearing against a sliding surface of probe, said probe being movable at said spherical surface, and having a correspondingly shaped sliding surface, and wherein said yoke comprises a central opening.

17. The device as set forth in claim 16, wherein said probe mounting is ring-shaped with inner and outer spherical surfaces, said probe being mountable to one of said surfaces, and wherein said probe mounting further comprises a screw ring to be connected to said probe, said screw ring being provided mountable to said other spherical surface.

18. The device as set forth in claim 17, wherein said probe and said screw ring are connected by a tubular element, said tubular element being displaceable in said central opening.