Disposable transducer seal
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A HIFU therapy apparatus comprising:
- a cup shaped housing having an aperture;
a motor assembly positioned within said housing;
a HIFU transducer positioned within the housing such that the transducer is aligned in said cup shaped housing to direct ultrasound energy through said aperture, said transducer being movable through said motor assembly;
a seal having a taut membrane substantially transparent to ultrasound energy and having a retainer for holding the taut membrane in a desired shape, the seal being releasably engaged to the housing and covering the aperture so as to form a water tight connection between the seal and the housing; and
a recognition device for determining the proper placement of the seal relative to the cup shaped housing, the recognition device acting as a safety lock to prevent the transducer from operating until the seal and the housing are properly engaged.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transducer seal designed to seal an open aperture of a transducer housing for a therapeutic ultrasound procedure. The seal has a membrane, a retainer and a mating device for locking in place with the transducer housing. The membrane is essentially transparent to ultrasound energy while being stretched taut about the retainer. The transducer seal may be made in a disposable or re-usable form.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A HIFU therapy apparatus comprising:
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a cup shaped housing having an aperture; a motor assembly positioned within said housing; a HIFU transducer positioned within the housing such that the transducer is aligned in said cup shaped housing to direct ultrasound energy through said aperture, said transducer being movable through said motor assembly; a seal having a taut membrane substantially transparent to ultrasound energy and having a retainer for holding the taut membrane in a desired shape, the seal being releasably engaged to the housing and covering the aperture so as to form a water tight connection between the seal and the housing; and a recognition device for determining the proper placement of the seal relative to the cup shaped housing, the recognition device acting as a safety lock to prevent the transducer from operating until the seal and the housing are properly engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification