Ultrasound otoscope
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic imaging device comprising:
- a shaft having a central longitudinal axis and a distal end, the shaft having generally an "L" shape such that the distal end is offset from the central longitudinal axis;
an ultrasonic imaging array movably associated with the shaft, wherein the shaft is adapted to be inserted the external portion of the ear and adapted for imaging the middle and inner ear.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging device for imaging the middle and inner ear is here described. It includes a thin, flattened shaft, a deformable support structure, a mounting surface, and an ultrasonic imaging array. Imaging is effected by the introduction of an acoustically conductive fluid into the middle ear space. Access to the tympanum through the external auditory canal and adjacent to the probe shaft for the purpose of injecting fluid into the middle ear space both before and during the exam is permitted by the flattened probe shaft. The deformable probe shaft may be bent or angulated to best fit a particular patients ear thus permitting optimal access for imaging through the tympanum and around the manubrium of the malleus attached down the midline of the tympanum. High resolution imaging of all structures within the middle and inner ear is achievable.
162 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic imaging device comprising:
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a shaft having a central longitudinal axis and a distal end, the shaft having generally an "L" shape such that the distal end is offset from the central longitudinal axis; an ultrasonic imaging array movably associated with the shaft, wherein the shaft is adapted to be inserted the external portion of the ear and adapted for imaging the middle and inner ear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 21, 22, 23)
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9. An ultrasonic imaging device comprising:
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a shaft having a central longitudinal axis and a distal end, the shaft having generally an "L" shape such that the distal end is offset from the central longitudinal axis; an ultrasonic imaging array movably associated with the shaft; and a drive transducer for introduction of drive signals in the audible, sub-audible, and super-audible frequency ranges, located adjacent to the ultrasonic imaging array, wherein the distal end of the shaft is adapted to be inserted the external portion of the ear and adapted for imaging the middle and inner ear. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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12. A method for ultrasonic imaging, comprising;
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flooding a body cavity filled with air with an acoustically conductive fluid to gain acoustic access to an are to be imaged within or opposite the body cavity from a later inserted imaging array; applying an additional volume of acoustically conductive fluid to tissues covering the body cavity inserting an ultrasonic probe containing the imaging array into the area adjacent to the body cavity into which or through which imaging is to be conducted; and taking an ultrasonic image of the area to be imaged through at least part of the body cavity with the imaging array. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An array probe comprising:
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a probe body having a central longitudinal axis, the probe body having a distal end, the probe body having generally an "L" shape such that the distal end is offset from the central longitudinal axis; an imaging array attached to the distal end, wherein the array is adapted to be inserted into the external ear and adapted for the purpose of imaging the middle and inner ear. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for viewing the internal and middle ear comprising the steps of:
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filling the middle ear cavity with fluid; placing enough fluid in the external ear cavity for acoustic coupling; inserting a probe into the external ear for the purpose of imaging the middle and inner ear, the probe having a central longitudinal axis and a dimension of less than 8 mm and an imaging array movably mounted in the azimuthal and elevational direction on the distal end of the probe, the array being offset from the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (20, 25)
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26. A probe having:
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a support structure having a first portion and an end connected to the first portion, the first portion and the end forming together in one view, a generally "L" shape such that the end is offset from the first portion; an ultrasonic imaging array connected to the first portion, wherein the L shape of the support structure enables the array to be slipped under the ridge in the anterior wall of the external auditory canal and to the side of the manubrium of the malleus which blocks the acoustic path down the midline of the tympanum of an ear. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A probe having:
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a support structure having a first portion and an end connected to the first portion, the first portion and the end forming together in one view, a generally "L" shape such that the end is offset from the first portion; an ultrasonic imaging array connected to the first portion, wherein the probe will image through a cavity from outside the cavity.
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Specification