Finger mounted probe adapted for intraoperative use

• US 20080300488A1
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonivate Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonivate Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Bates, Kenneth N., McDonough, William, Schutz, Ronald W., Corbett, Scott S. III, Krause, Albert H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,211,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4227 characterised by straps, belts, cuffs or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4488 the transducer being a phased array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/53 connected to the surgeon's body, e.g. by a belt

Abstract

An ultrasound finger-mounted probe that has a finger clip that is adapted to be mounted on a human finger. The finger clip also has an interior surface adapted to contact the human finger. An ultrasound probe is adapted to be supported by the finger clip. Also, the ultrasound probe protrudes outwardly, relative to the interior surface, by less than 1.5 cm.

Claims

1. An ultrasound finger-mounted probe, comprising:

a) a finger clip, adapted to be mounted on a human finger and having an interior surface adapted to contact said human finger;

b) an ultrasound probe, supported by said finger clip; and

c) wherein said ultrasound probe protrudes outwardly, relative to said interior surface, by less than 1.5 cm.

2. The ultrasound finger-mounted probe of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound probe protrudes outwardly relative to said interior surface by less than 1.0 cm.

3. An ultrasound finger-mounted probe, comprising:

a) a finger clip, adapted to be mounted on a human finger;

b) an ultrasound probe, supported by said finger clip and having a front and a back and a lower surface; and

c) wherein said outermost surface protrudes increasingly outwardly, from front to back, at an average slope of less than 50°

, thereby helping to avoid tissue damage when said probe is pushed through body tissue.

4. The ultrasound finger-mounted probe of claim 3, wherein said outermost surface protrudes increasingly outwardly, from front to back, at an average slope of less than 40°

.

5. An ultrasound finger probe assembly, comprising:

a) a connector-half adapted to mate to a user-worn mating connector-half;

b) a multi-conductor cable, electrically connected to said connector-half;

c) a finger clip, adapted to be mounted on a human finger;

d) a finger probe supported by said finger clip; and

e) wherein said ultrasound finger probe assembly has a mass of less than 280 grams.

6. The ultrasound finger probe assembly of claim 5, having a mass of less than 140 grams.

7. The ultrasound finger probe assembly of claim 5, having a mass of less than 100 grams.

8. The ultrasound finger probe assembly of claim 5, having a mass of less than 80 grams.

9. An ultrasound finger probe assembly, comprising:

a) a distal 3 cm portion of said probe assembly, including;

i. a finger clip, adapted to be mounted on a human finger;

ii. an ultrasound transceiver supported by said finger clip; and

b) wherein said distal 3 cm portion of said ultrasound probe assembly has a mass of less than 100 grams.

10. The ultrasound probe assembly of claim 9, wherein said distal 3 cm portion of said probe assembly has a mass of less than 50 grams.

11. The ultrasound probe assembly of claim 9, wherein said distal 3 cm portion of said probe assembly has a mass of less than 30 grams.

12. The ultrasound probe assembly of claim 9, wherein said distal 3 cm portion of said probe assembly has a mass of less than 20 grams.

13. The ultrasound probe assembly of claim 9, wherein said distal 3 cm portion of said probe assembly has a mass of less than 15 grams.

14. The ultrasound probe assembly of claim 9, wherein said distal 3 cm portion of said probe assembly has a mass of less than 12 grams.

15. A method of performing intraoperative imaging, comprising:

a) providing a finger mounted ultrasound probe assembly, having;

i. a finger clip, adapted to be mounted on a human finger and having an interior surface adapted to contact said human finger;

ii. an ultrasound probe, supported by said finger clip;

iii. wherein said ultrasound probe protrudes outwardly, relative to said interior surface, by less than 1.5 cm; and

iv. a communications and display assembly adapted to communicate information gathered from said probe, process said information and display said information; and

b) placing said probe assembly on a surgeon'"'"'s finger and using said probe during a surgical operation.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said probe is used to determine the location of coronary arteries.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said probe is used to determine the location of the jugular vein.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said probe is used to evaluate aortal plaque deposits.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said probe is used in lieu of transesophagial imaging when transesophagial imaging is impractical.