Ultrasound probe with offset angle tip
First Claim
1. An external ultrasonic imaging probe comprising:
- a handle region having first distal and proximal ends and a first longitudinal axis;
a tip region having second proximal and distal ends, said second proximal end coupled to said first distal end, and a second longitudinal axis intersecting said first longitudinal axis at an acute angle, wherein said tip region includes a patient-contacting surface located at said second distal end with a substantially planar imaging window that is substantially orthogonal with said second longitudinal axis, and an ultrasound transducer adjacent to and substantially parallel with said imaging window to provide a field of view extending from said imaging window; and
a drive mechanism configured to rotate said ultrasound transducer about said second longitudinal axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasound imaging probe having connected tip and handle regions with longitudinal axes that intersect each other at an acute angle. An ultrasonic transducer opposes a patient-contacting surface at a distal end of the tip region and is positioned orthogonal to that region'"'"'s axis. This novel shape enables the administering sonographer to position the probe at the suprasternal window without substantially tilting the probe and without requiring a substantial adjustment of the patient'"'"'s head, thereby obtaining improved cardiac imaging of pediatric patients and others who cannot steadily hold their head in a backwardly tilted position to accommodate the placement of conventional ultrasonic probes. In addition, the shape allows for the unassisted positioning of the probe within the subcostal window. The ultrasound transducer is a phased-array transducer rotational about the tip region axis. An angled drive shaft having a universal joint axially drives the transducer about the tip region axis with minimal rotational forces, resulting in a probe having a minimal number of lightweight parts associated with the rotation of the transducer. Advantageously, this enables the probe to be used to obtain multiple images from the same perspective without having to adjust the position of the probe on the patient. A strain-relief connector assembly having a flex circuit, an angled flex circuit holder and an energy-absorbing coax bundle provide electrical connections about the periphery of the probe between a cable at the proximal end of the handle region and the ultrasound transducer at the distal end of the structure. As the flex circuit and flex circuit holder rotate with the transducer, the holder maintains a secure connection between the coax bundle and flex circuit while the coax bundle absorbs the energy associated with the rotation.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An external ultrasonic imaging probe comprising:
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a handle region having first distal and proximal ends and a first longitudinal axis; a tip region having second proximal and distal ends, said second proximal end coupled to said first distal end, and a second longitudinal axis intersecting said first longitudinal axis at an acute angle, wherein said tip region includes a patient-contacting surface located at said second distal end with a substantially planar imaging window that is substantially orthogonal with said second longitudinal axis, and an ultrasound transducer adjacent to and substantially parallel with said imaging window to provide a field of view extending from said imaging window; and a drive mechanism configured to rotate said ultrasound transducer about said second longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An external ultrasonic imaging probe comprising:
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a handle region having first distal and proximal ends and a first longitudinal axis; a tip region having a second proximal and distal ends, said second proximate end coupled to said first distal end, and a second longitudinal axis intersecting said first longitudinal axis at an acute angle, said tip region including, a patient-contacting surface located at said second distal end having a substantially planar imaging window that is substantially orthogonal with said second longitudinal axis, and an ultrasonic transducer adjacent to and substantially parallel with said imaging window, said ultrasound transducer rotatable about said second longitudinal axis; and means for rotating said ultrasound transducer about said second longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An external ultrasonic imaging probe comprising:
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a handle region having first distal and proximal ends and a first longitudinal axis; a tip region having second proximal and distal ends, said second proximal end being coupled to said first distal end, and a second longitudinal axis intersecting said first longitudinal axis at an acute angle, said tip region including a patient-contacting surface located at said second distal end with a substantially planar imaging window that is substantially orthogonal with said second longitudinal axis, and an ultrasound transducer adjacent to and substantially parallel with said imaging window to provide a field of view extending from said imaging window; a drive mechanism, including a motor configured to generate a rotational force and an angled drive shaft configured to axially transfer said rotational force to said ultrasound transducer to cause said ultrasound transducer to rotate about said second longitudinal axis; and a strain-relief connector assembly configured to electrically connect said ultrasound transducer to an external cable at said proximate end of said handle region, said assembly including a flex circuit connected to said ultrasound transducer, an energy-absorbing coax bundle restrained at predetermined locations along its length, and a flex circuit holder for providing a point of connection between said coax bundle and said flex circuit.
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Specification