Endocavity imaging sensor positioning apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A directionally expandable standoff device for use with an imaging instrument, the standoff device comprising:
- an elastic sheath configured for placement over a probe of an imaging instrument; and
a substantially rigid cover configured for placement over the elastic sheath, said cover having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the sidewall has at least one opening exposing a portion of the elastic sheath contained within the cover.
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Abstract
A directionally expandable standoff device for use with an imaging instrument is disclosed. The standoff device has an elastic sheath configured for placement over a probe of an imaging instrument and a substantially rigid cover configured for placement over the elastic sheath, the cover containing an opening exposing a portion of the elastic sheath. The standoff device allows controlled positioning of the tissue surface within the cavity of a patient'"'"'s body during imaging analysis.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A directionally expandable standoff device for use with an imaging instrument, the standoff device comprising:
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an elastic sheath configured for placement over a probe of an imaging instrument; and
a substantially rigid cover configured for placement over the elastic sheath, said cover having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the sidewall has at least one opening exposing a portion of the elastic sheath contained within the cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A directionally expandable standoff device for use with an imaging instrument, the standoff device comprising:
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an elastic sheath configured for placement over the probe of an imaging instrument; and
a substantially rigid cover configured for placement over the elastic sheath, said cover having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the sidewall has at least one opening exposing a portion of the elastic sheath contained within the cover, the exposed portion of the elastic sheath confined to an arc of less than or equal to 180 degrees around the approximate center of the substantially rigid cover. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of examining a patient using an imaging instrument, the method comprising:
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providing an imaging instrument; and
providing a directionally expandable standoff device for use with an imaging instrument, the standoff device comprising an elastic sheath configured for placement over the probe of an imaging instrument; and
a substantially rigid cover configured for placement over the expandable sheath, said cover having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the sidewall has at least one opening exposing a portion of the elastic sheath contained within the cover; and
expanding the directionally expandable standoff device so as to position the imaging instrument relative to tissue of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification