The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 1989
Filed:
Feb. 16, 1988
Ronald J Boyd, Sacramento, CA (US);
Wing Law, Gold River, CA (US);
Gary L Wilson, Rancho Cordova, CA (US);
General Electric Company, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
An adapter and standoff for an ultrasound probe includes a first compression molded coupler portion and a second compression molded receptacle portion which are assembled to define a fluid cavity for coupling ultrasound waves and a receptacle for receiving a probe head. The coupler portion includes a first housing with a coupling surface on one end thereof and an opening on an opposing end. The receptacle portion includes a second housing with a coupling surface on one end and an opening on an opposing end. The second housing is inserted into the opening of the first housing with the coupling surfaces and the first housing defining the fluid cavity, the opening of the second housing receiving a probe head. The second housing further includes a vent hole for venting air from the fluid cavity and a filler hole for receiving a needle and filling the fluid cavity with a fluid. The receptacle portion includes an adapter ridge which receives a groove in a probe when the probe is fully inserted into the receptacle portion. At least one groove can be provided on an internal surface of the second housing whereby an excess of coupling gel between the probe and the receptacle portion can exit when the probe is fully inserted into the receptacle portion. A tactile feel on an external surface of the second housing aligns with a tactile feel on the probe to ensure proper assembly of the adapter and probe.