Capistrano Labs, Inc.

Technicare Corporation

Johnson & Johnson Gmbh

Johnson & Johnson Ultrasound, Inc.

Paul F Meyers

Julian Dow

Michael Waddell

An ultrasound probe housing has at least one air bubble trap disposed therein and configured to facilitate movement of air bubbles away from a window thereof and also configured to resist movement of the air bubbles back toward the window. Preferably, two air bubble traps are utilized, one proximate the ultrasound transducer and the other proximate the motor thereof, so as to facilitate isolation of the ultrasound transducer and motor from air bubbles. The air bubble traps are preferably configured as funnels having a narrow end thereof oriented away from the window and having a wide end thereof oriented toward the window such that air bubbles easily enter the wide end thereof but do not easily enter the narrow end thereof. The air bubbles preferably move to a fluid expansion compensation chamber wherein they become captured and provide compensation for thermal expansion of the ultrasound transmissive fluid contained within the ultrasound probe.

Ultrasound probe with bubble trap

An ultrasonic probe has a housing, a base pivotally mounted within the housing, an extension formed upon the base, and a scanning ultrasonic transducer disposed upon the distal end of the extension. The extension is preferably configured such that the scanning transducer moves along an arc of approximately 50 degrees having a radius of approximately 40 mm and is thus suitable for imaging elongate anatomical structures such as portions of the peripheral vascular system. A doppler ultrasonic transducer optionally fixedly disposed within the housing proximate the scanning ultrasonic transducer measures fluid flow within the elongate anatomical structure. The doppler ultrasonic transducer is disposed at one end of the arc along which the scanning ultrasonic transducer travels such that the radiation path of the doppler ultrasonic transducer is periodically obscured by the scanning ultrasonic transducer. The doppler ultrasonic transducer measures fluid flow through the elongate anatomical structure when the scanning ultrasonic transducer is not within the radiation path of the doppler ultrasonic transducer.

Ultrasonic peripheral vascular probe assembly

An ultrasonic probe has an elongate tubular member and an imaging ultrasonic transducer pivotally mounted proximate the distal end of the tubular member. Reciprocating pivotal motion of the ultrasonic transducer is effected to facilitate scanning. A first cable attached to the imaging ultrasonic transducer effects pivoting thereof in a first direction and a second cable attached to the imaging ultrasonic transducer effects pivoting thereof in a second direction. A linear motor is attached to the first cable for pulling the first cable to effect pivoting of the ultrasonic transducer in the first direction and a tension means is attached to the second cable for pulling the second cable when the linear motor ceases pulling the first cable to effect pivoting of the ultrasonic transducer in the second direction.

Laparoscopic ultrasonic probe

An ultrasonic probe has a housing, a base pivotally mounted within the housing, an extension formed upon the base, and a scanning ultrasonic transducer disposed upon the distal end of the extension. The extension is preferably configured such that the scanning transducer moves along an arc of approximately 50 degrees having a radius of approximately 40 mm and is thus suitable for imaging elongate anatomical structures such as portions of the peripheral vascular system. A doppler ultrasonic transducer fixedly disposed within the housing proximate the scanning ultrasonic transducer measures fluid flow within the elongate anatomical structure. The doppler ultrasonic transducer is disposed at one end of the arc along which the scanning ultrasonic transducer travels such that the radiation path of the doppler ultrasonic transducer is periodically obscured by the scanning ultrasonic transducer. The doppler ultrasonic transducer measures fluid flow through the elongate anatomical structure when the scanning ultrasonic transducer is not within the radiation path of the doppler ultrasonic transducer.

A transducer is pivoted by a linear motor having an electrical coil as the reciprocally moving member. The coil is in a plane orthogonal to the lines of magnetic flux between opposed permanent magnets of opposite polarity affixed to the probe case, providing efficiency. A mechanical linkage between the linear motor electrical coil moving member and the transducer which is forced in pivoting motion transmits only axial force, and not torque, by employing a ball and socket joint at one end of a crankshaft. Electrical connections to the electrical coil are facilitated through springs which additionally mechanically bias the reciprocal movement of the coil. Electrical connections to the pivoting transducer are facilitated through a helical coil wrapping the pivot shaft. These electrical connections accomodate mechanical motions within the probe. A bellows-fold cylindrical air bladder is positioned within the fluid chamber of the probe to allow for thermally-induced changes in fluid volume.

Ultrasonic transducer probe assembly

An ultrasonic prostate probe assembly is disclosed, characterized by the ultrasonic transducer being carried upon a gimbal cup which is rotatably mounted to the probe assembly to allow selection of multiple sector scan directions during operation of the probe. The transducer is pivoted via a spring biased cable linkage connected to a linear motor having an electric coil as the reciprocating moving member. Selective rotation of the gimbal cup is effectuated by manipulation of an additional cable linkage extending axially through the probe assembly. The use of multiple sector scan directions allows improved identification and sizing of problematic body tissue in applications such as prostate applications where space constraints prevent manipulation of the probe into differing scanning positions.

Ultrasonic prostate probe assembly

An ultrasonic transducer probe is provided, in which the transducer is oscillated by a crank shaft for sector scanning. The crank shaft is driven by a motor having a moving magnet stack assembly in a tubular set of electromagnetic coils. The motor also moves a bimetallic pin through a position sensor coil so that the position of the transducer is represented by the detected inductance change of the coil.

An ultrasonic transducer probe is provided which utilizes a pivoting transducer to perform an ultrasonic sector scan. The transducer and its drive mechanisms are contained within a fluid chamber. A portion of the wall of the fluid chamber includes a flexible bellows, which expands and contracts as pressure and temperature changes alter the fluid volume, thereby altering the fluid chamber volume.

Ultrasonic transducer probe expansion chamber

A mechanical transducer probe assembly is provided which is both rugged and easy to assemble. The probe mechanism is located inside a hollow probe case. A reference point for assembly is located on the inner surface of the case. A motor assembly and a transducer mounting assembly are located within the case and are fixedly joined together. At the jointure of the two, the motor and transducer assemblies are in contact with the reference point, thereby positionally locating the transducer and its drive mechanism within the case. Means are provided for urging the motor and transducer assemblies against the reference point, which means also provides shock mounting for the probe mechanism.

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San Juan Capistrano, CA, United States of America

Paul F Meyers