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:
Dec. 28, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 10, 2007
Katherine M. Hickey, Enfield, NH (US);
Aaron M. Gjerde, Lebanon, NH (US);
James H. Bleck, Chelmsford, MA (US);
Leslie Scenna, Amherst, NH (US);
Katherine M. Hickey, Enfield, NH (US);
Aaron M. Gjerde, Lebanon, NH (US);
James H. Bleck, Chelmsford, MA (US);
Leslie Scenna, Amherst, NH (US);
Wellan Medical Solutions, LLC, Lebanon, NH (US);
Abstract
This invention provides a holder for an imaging probe that attaches to a flexible arm, which accommodates a variety of sizes and shapes of probes, is lightweight and allows for easy attachment and detachment of probes. The probe holder includes a pair of confronting clamp plates that include clamping jaws for holding a probe or other item at their distal end. The distal ends of the plates can include elastomeric pads that conform to the shape of the probe being gripped. The proximal end of each plate includes a hemispherical well that engages a ball on a base member to define a highly flexible ball joint. This ball joint allows for easy fine adjustment of probe alignment, rotation and tilting, while frictionally maintaining the set position. A variety of alternate alignment and movement-limiting components can be employed.