Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc.

Atl Ultrasound, Inc.

Deborah K Imling

Joseph L Ungari

Timothy Fred Nordgren

Donald G Killam

Ronald E McKeighen

Peter M Pawluskiewicz

Perry W Kaminski

A needle guide is provided for quick, easy, and consistent insertion of a needle, such as a biopsy needle, into the scan plane of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system probe at multiple angles. The needle guide of the present invention is preferably a one piece needle guide that provides the user with the ability to maneuver a needle into and within the tissue of a body being examined at various angles. The ability to maneuver a needle at multiple angles is obtained by insertion of a needle into a slot created within the body of the needle guide. The needle guide is configured to attach to a probe such that the needle will always be inserted into the scan plane of the probe regardless of the selected angle.

Multiple angle needle guide

Intraoperative ultrasound probe

An intraoperative ultrasonic transducer probe is described comprising a handle section and a transducer section which resemble a tiny leg and foot. The two sections are obtusely angled relative to each other so that the physician may continue to clearly view the surgical site while holding and manipulating the probe. The extension of the transducer section away from its point of attachment to the handle section results in the toe of the foot being insertable under unincised tissue, enabling the surgeon to ultrasonically examine organs and tissue peripheral to the surgical site and to follow a vessel even beyond the incision. The transducer section is completely encapsulated in a rubberlike material which electrically insulates the transducer from the patient, enables the probe to be easily sterilized, and further provides an inherent standoff between the transducer and the contact surface of the probe. Thus, the transducer can be focused immediately at the skin line of the organ or vessel which is in contact with the probe. The probe can be easily assembled by providing termination assemblies for attaching coaxial cable conductors to the printed circuit board assembly of the probe.

Growing community of inventors

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Deborah K Imling