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Surgical probe comprising visible markings on an elastic membrane

  • US 5,967,990 A
  • Filed: 08/13/1998
  • Issued: 10/19/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Surgical probe comprising:

  • an elongate tube having a tip portion;

    an elastic membrane forming an enclosure on the tip portion and containing a fluid therein, an inside surface of the membrane including a plurality of visible markings;

    apparatus within the tube for illuminating the markings on the inside surface of the membrane;

    means for forming a two-dimensional image of the markings;

    a first ultrasound transducer within the tube for propagating ultrasound energy through the fluid-filled membrane for interaction with and reflection from an object outside the enclosure;

    a second ultrasound transducer within the casing for receiving ultrasound energy reflected from the object;

    a visual display for displaying the markings or a representation derived from the markings to indicate surface topography of a structure in contact with an outside surface of the membrane; and

    a speaker for generating sound related to a frequency shift of the ultrasound energy reflected from the object to indicate motion of the object with respect to the probe.

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