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:
Jun. 19, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 13, 1999
Willet F. Whitmore, III, Sarasota, FL (US);
Winston E. Barzell, Sarasota, FL (US);
Roger Wilson, Sarasota, FL (US);
Barzell Whitmore Maroon Bells, Inc., Sarasota, FL (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting and facilitating accurate positioning, both linearly and angularly of a medical device such as an ultrasound probe, a medical instrument or an imaging device. The apparatus is capable of both gross and precise multi-directional movements with the medical device attached, while remaining connected to stationary objects such as a portable floor stand and/or operating table. After gross manual placement and approximate positioning, the fine tune mechanism of the attached medical device is locked in positioned and secured to two fixed points. Exact positioning is then achieved by the precision movements which are available in all three linear directions and rotational axes. By this arrangement which allows preattachment of the medical device or instrument (i.e., an ultrasound probe) to the apparatus prior to positioning in the patient, quicker, more accurate and more reproducible medical device positioning and placement are achieved. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides for multi-directional adjustment including a plurality of translational adjustments and one rotational adjustment.