Ultrasound device for needle procedures

• US 9,289,185 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Claritrac Inc.
• Original Assignee: Claritrac Inc.
• Inventors: Mung, Jay C, Cummins, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V
• Assistant Examiner(s): IMPINK, BRADLEY GERALD
• Application Number:
  US13/769,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20140024945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3929 Active markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4254 using sensors mounted on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4263 using sensors not mounted on the probe, e.g. mounted on an external reference frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4494 characterised by the arrangement of the transducer elements devices for short-range imaging using particular transducer elements arrangements under G01S15/8909; arrangements of transducers in generation of mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency B06B1/0607
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/54 Control of the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A novel ultrasound device for needle procedures is disclosed that comprises a needle with an integrated ultrasound transducer. The transducer may be part of a drop-in, self contained beacon unit that fits within the needle shaft. The transducer may alternatively include electrical leads connectable to an electrical subsystem housed within an adapter that is connectable to a handle. Alternatively, the electrical subsystem may be housed within a handle connectable to the needle by a bayonet-mount configuration, a slide-and-click configuration, or a cartridge configuration. The electrical subsystem is preferably configured to control when the transducer emits an ultrasound pulse. The handle may include all or part of a vacuum means for applying negative pressure to tissue disposed near a tissue sample aperture.

Claims

1. An ultrasound device for needle procedures comprising:

a core biopsy needle comprising a shaft with a distal end and a proximate end, wherein the shaft includes a tissue sampling aperture within the shaft between the distal end and the proximal end;

a cutting mechanism disposed to cut tissue into the tissue sampling aperture; and

a drop-in transducer within the tissue sampling aperture;

wherein the transducer comprises;

a piezoelectric film;

an integrated circuit in communication with the piezoelectric film; and

an adhesive that attaches the transducer in the tissue sampling aperture.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transducer is disposed about one end of the needle.

3. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an adapter attachable to the needle at the proximate end of the shaft and a handle attachable to the adapter.

4. The device according to claim 3 further comprising an electrical subsystem in communication with the transducer, wherein the electrical subsystem is disposed within the adapter.

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to the needle.

6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to the needle and a vacuum mechanism that pulls tissue into the tissue sampling aperture.

7. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an electrical subsystem in communication with the transducer, wherein the electrical subsystem is configured to control when an ultrasound pulse from the transducer is to be emitted.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transducer and needle shaft are adapted to screw-fit together.

9. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a vacuum mechanism that pulls tissue into the tissue sampling aperture.

10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit is configured to control when the transducer emits an ultrasound pulse.

11. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a handle and a connection mechanism adapted to connect the handle to the needle shaft.