Ruggedized ultrasound hydrogel insert
First Claim
1. A cap for an ultrasound probe, comprising:
- a body defining a cavity into which a portion of an ultrasound probe is received; and
a ruggedized low-friction hydrogel insert operably attached to the body, the low-friction hydrogel insert comprising;
a gel component including carrageenan gum and konjac gum;
isopropyl alcohol;
deionized water; and
a free radical absorber component for absorbing free radicals produced when the low-friction hydrogel insert is subjected to a high-energy sterilization procedure, the free radical absorber component including at least one of potassium metabisulfite and ascorbic acid.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ruggedized hydrogel product that is formulated to withstand the effects of high-energy sterilization procedures, such as gamma beam and electron beam sterilization, without significant structural degradation is disclosed. This enables the hydrogel product to be suitable for use in medical applications where sterile components are required. In one embodiment a ruggedized hydrogel product is disclosed and comprises a gel component, water for hydrating the gel component, and at least one free radical absorber component that is capable of absorbing free radicals produced when the hydrogel product is sterilized via a high-energy sterilization procedure. The free radical absorber component in one embodiment includes potassium metabisulfite and ascorbic acid. The ruggedized hydrogel product can be included with an ultrasound probe to provide an acoustically transparent interface between the probe and the skin of a patient.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A cap for an ultrasound probe, comprising:
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a body defining a cavity into which a portion of an ultrasound probe is received; and a ruggedized low-friction hydrogel insert operably attached to the body, the low-friction hydrogel insert comprising; a gel component including carrageenan gum and konjac gum; isopropyl alcohol; deionized water; and a free radical absorber component for absorbing free radicals produced when the low-friction hydrogel insert is subjected to a high-energy sterilization procedure, the free radical absorber component including at least one of potassium metabisulfite and ascorbic acid. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An ultrasound probe, comprising
a body including a transducer; - and
a ruggedized hydrogel product operably attached to the body to provide for a low friction interface, the hydrogel product comprising; a gel component; isopropyl alcohol; deionized water; and a free radical absorber component for absorbing free radicals produced if the hydrogel product is subjected to at least one of a gamma beam sterilization procedure and an electronic beam sterilization procedure. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification