Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-08
2003-04-15
Buiz, Michael Powell (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S121000, C600S131000, C600S133000, C600S198000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06547739
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention related to transesophageal probes, and more particularly relates to control panels for such probes.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a conventional multiplane ultrasound transesophageal probe
20
typically includes an endoscope
24
, a deflection section
26
, an ultrasound transducer
28
and a control handle
30
. A user typically manipulates various controls located on the handle in order to perform functions such as altering scan plane rotation of the transducer, biplane function, and three dimensional scan. In general, during a typical patient procedure, the transducer must be positioned from the controls on the handle while the transducer is located out of sight inside the patient. During the procedure, the transducer must be controlled to perform various functions.
The most common user interface for rotating the scan plane of transducer
28
(by motor) on a multiplane transesophageal probe requires the use of pushbutton switches mounted on, or integrated into, control handle
30
of probe
20
. All switches must be sealed to avoid fluid penetration into handle
30
, which contains sensitive electronic and mechanical components. Normally, there is one switch for clockwise and another switch for counterclockwise rotation.
Conventional scan plane-control user interfaces for multiplane transesophageal (TE) probes typically consist of handle-mounted pushbutton switches manipulated by the user during the TE procedure. The pushbuttons are individually sealed to avoid fluid penetration into the control handle. The conventional switch technology often allows very little design freedom with regards to quantity, size and configuration of the switches. Also, adding more than two pushbuttons is expensive, and involves a proportional amount of complications with regards to space requirements, geometry and fluid sealing.
The present invention these problems and provides a solution.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment is useful in a transesophageal probe comprising a transducer and a control handle for the transducer. The control handle comprises a control panel coupled to a plurality of switches. Foil covers the switches and a seal couples the control panel and said control handle so that the switches are protected.
By using the described structure, the ergonomics of the probe can be substantially improved. In addition, the freedom of design of the control handle is increased and the sealing of the switches is simplified.
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International Search Report—International Application No. PCT/US 02/00611 dated Aug. 20, 2002.
Chen Jiayu
Jonsberg Karl
Jordfald Dag
Piel, Jr. Joseph E.
Ronander Jon
Buiz Michael Powell
Dellapenna Michael A.
GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
Krishnamurthy Ramesh
McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd.
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