PERIPHERAL ULTRASOUND DEVICE

• US 20100168577A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guardsman Scientific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Guardsman Scientific, Inc.
• Inventors: Vezina, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,876,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/443
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02028 Determining haemodynamic parameters not otherwise provided for, e.g. cardiac contractility or left ventricular ejection fraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/503 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0883 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• 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 8/4236 characterised by adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4461 Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4466 involving deflection of the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/46 Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52079 Constructional features constructional features of transducers B06B; mounting transducers G10K11/00; constructional features of ultrasonic medical diagnostic devices A61B8/44
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A device for acquiring ultrasound-generated data from a patient including a securing system and a probe configured for connection to the securing system, the probe including a base having an interfacing surface, an imaging mechanism adjustable relative to the base and configured to send and receive ultrasound signals along an imaging direction, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the imaging mechanism relative to the base thereby adjusting the imaging direction.

Claims

1. A device for acquiring ultrasound-generated data from a patient, the device comprising:

a securing system; and

a probe configured for connection to the securing system, the probe comprising;

a base having an interfacing surface;

an imaging mechanism adjustable relative to the base and configured to send and receive ultrasound signals along an imaging direction; and

an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the imaging mechanism relative to the base thereby adjusting the imaging direction, the adjustment mechanism comprising;

a first adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the imaging mechanism about a first axis generally orthogonal to the interfacing surface, the first adjustment mechanism comprising an annular ring oriented parallel to and offset from the interfacing surface and having a an orientation actuator operably coupled thereto for pivoting the imaging mechanism about the first axis; and

a second adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the imaging mechanism about a second axis generally parallel to the interfacing surface, the second adjustment mechanism comprising a gear extending from the imaging mechanism and being positioned generally orthogonal to the interfacing surface and having a direction actuator operably coupled thereto for pivoting the imaging mechanism about the second axis.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the base includes a housing and the imaging mechanism is pivotally and rotatably positioned within the housing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the base includes a frame and the imaging mechanism is pivotally positioned on the frame.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the imaging mechanism is positioned within the annular ring and supported by a pivot pin extending generally parallel to the interfacing surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the securing system comprises:

an anchoring member; and

a connection system positioned on the anchoring member and configured for removably attaching the probe.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the anchoring member includes a patch including an adhesive membrane for adhesively connecting the securing system.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the connection system includes at least a first retention member.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the retention member includes a strap connected to the anchoring member at each end to form a retaining loop.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the retention member is a hook and loop retention member.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the probe includes a peripheral dimension and the unstretched length of the strap is less than the peripheral dimension less the width of the interfacing surface, wherein insertion of the probe within the strap causes the strap to stretch thereby securing the probe.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a recognition module configured to facilitate communication between the probe and the securing system.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the recognition module includes a wireless communication between the securing system and the probe.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the recognition module includes a circuit, the circuit being open when the probe is not connected to the securing system and closed when the probe is connected to the securing system.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the recognition module includes a calibration protocol stored within the securing system and adapted to calibrate the probe upon connection of the probe to the securing system.

15. A probe for acquiring ultrasound-generated data, comprising:

a housing having an interfacing surface with an opening;

a imaging mechanism positioned in the opening and being rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the interfacing surface and being pivotal about an axis generally orthogonal to the interfacing surface; and

an adjustment mechanism positioned within the housing and associated with the imaging mechanism to cause the imaging mechanism to rotate in the plane or pivot about the axis, the adjustment mechanism comprising an orientation adjuster and a direction adjuster each having an orientation actuator and a direction actuator respectively.

16. The probe of claim 15, wherein the orientation adjuster comprises an annular ring having gear teeth on a periphery thereof.

17. The probe of claim 15, wherein the direction adjuster includes a ball gear with gear teeth on an arcuate surface thereof.

18. The probe of claim 16, wherein the orientation actuator is a stationary screw positioned tangentially to the periphery of the annular ring.

19. The probe of claim 17, wherein the direction actuator is a stationary screw positioned tangentially to the arcuate edge of the semicircular gear.

20. The probe of claim 15, further comprising a control module in data communication with the imaging mechanism and the adjustment mechanism.

21. The probe of claim 20, wherein the control module further comprises an imaging mechanism component configured to control the sending and receiving of ultrasonic signals from the imaging mechanism.

22. The probe of claim 21, wherein the control module further comprises and adjustment mechanism component configured to control orientation and direction adjustments of the imaging mechanism.

23. The probe of claim 20, wherein the control module further comprises a gating component adapted to continuously adjust the imaging direction to accommodate cyclical motion of a patient due to breathing.

24. The probe of claim 23, wherein the gating component is in communication with motion sensors to obtain motion information from the patient.

25. The probe of claim 24, wherein the gating component is in communication with the imaging mechanism and patient breathing is modeled based on cyclic appearance and disappearance of an imaging.

26. The probe of claim 15, wherein the gear is a semicircular gear.

27. The probe of claim 26, wherein the direction actuator connected to the annular ring via a support and configured to rotate therewith.