Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-15
2001-11-27
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S459000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322506
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for obtaining three-dimensional area images within a physiological body with an ultrasound apparatus, and creating three-dimensional images.
2. Description of the Related Art
Medical ultrasound apparatuses are used for visualizing cross-sections of internal organs or disease tissue from data obtained by an ultrasound probe. Conventional arrangements for such apparatuses involve an operator moving or inclining the ultrasound probe in an arbitrary manner to record multiple sets of cross-section data, thereby creating three-dimensional images of the object of measurement. However. the position and angle of the ultrasound probe cannot be precisely obtained with such an apparatus, so precise three-dimensional images could not be created.
On the other hand, there is a method wherein the ultrasound probe is attached to an arm supported on the outside of the subject. thereby obtaining reference coordinates on the outside of the subject and obtaining the position and inclination angle of the ultrasound probe based on the movement of the arm from the coordinates, so as to obtain a three-dimensional image (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-172452). However, such an apparatus is complicated in structure. and is als problematic in that the subject cannot move during the measurement.
In other words, conventional apparatuses have been defective in that attempts to easily obtain three-dimensional images results in loss of precision, and attempts to obtain precise three-dimensional images results in a complex apparatus, which is burdensome for the subject.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is simple in structure, easy to operate, does not place a great burden on the subject, and al lows precise three-dimensional images to be obtained.
To this end, the present invention comprises an inclination angle detecting device for an ultrasound probe, the inclination angle detecting device comprising: a reference arm attached near the contact area of the ultrasound probe with one end thereof being rotatably attached; a detecting unit for detecting the inclination angle of the ultrasound probe as to the reference arm; and further preferably a first pressing means which presses the reference arm in a direction away from the ultrasound probe in a rotating manner.
Accordingly, pressing the contact area of the ultrasound probe against the surface of the body of the subject in contact of the reference arm with the skin-surface of the body of the subject the detecting unit detects the inclination angle. This apparatus is simple in structure, easy to operate, does not place a great burden on the subject, and allows precise three-dimensional images to be obtained. By means of first pressing means, pressing the contact area of the ultrasound probe against the surface of the body of the subject brings the reference arm into close contact with the skin-surface of the body of the subject. In the event that the operator tilts the ultrasound probe while the reference arm is in close contact with the surface of the body of the subject. The detecting unit detects the inclination angle further precisely.
Further, even more precise three-dimensional images can be obtained by an arrangement wherein the inclination angle detecting device further comprises: a slide portion slidably provided along the side of the ultrasound probe; and a second pressing means which presses the slide portion in a direction toward the contact area of the ultrasound probe and beyond; wherein one end of the reference arm is rotatably attached at the tip of the slide portion. That is to say, regardless of how the operator tilts the ultrasound probe while the ultrasound probe is in close contact with the surface of the body of the subject, the slide portion slides, and the tip is always at the same position on the surface of the body of the subject. Accordingly, the reference arm is always in close contact with the surface of the body of the subject.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4570488 (1986-02-01), Miwa et al.
patent: 5152294 (1992-10-01), Mochizuki et al.
patent: 5329929 (1994-07-01), Sato et al.
patent: 5682895 (1997-11-01), Ishiguro
Harasawa Eishi
Nagai Hiroshi
Ono Kohei
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Imam Ali M.
Lateef Marvin M.
Nihon Kohden Corporation
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