Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-04-03
Jaworski, Francis J. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210337
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to ultrasonic endoscopic probes by which an ultrasonic transducer located at the distal tip of an endoscope is manipulated while located within the body from an external control unit.
U.S. Pat. 5,479,930 describes an ultrasonic endoscopic probe with an ultrasonic transducer at the distal tip of the probe. The distal tip includes an articulation section which is capable of being articulated in up-down and left-right directions so that the transducer may be remotely moved and aimed at a region of the body which the user desires to image. Once the user has articulated the distal tip with its transducer in the desired manner the articulation section may be locked in its articulated position while the user views ultrasonic images produced from echoes received by the transducer.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an improved ultrasonic endoscopic probe is provided which includes a variable force locking mechanism. The articulating section of the distal tip may be locked in a desired position with variable locking forces. The variable locking forces permit the articulating section to yield in response to movement of the body so as to prevent injury when a patient moves, or the probe is accidentally withdrawn from a body cavity of a patient when locked in an articulated position. The locking force is applied by means of a braking surface of one material which engages a different material of an articulation mechanism to prevent binding or seizing of the articulation mechanism. The articulating section is articulated by a control cable which includes a tension adjustment device. The tension adjustment device also serves as a range limiter to limit the range of articulation of the articulating section. The control cable passes through a cable conduit, which is seated in a spring loaded mechanism which absorbs forces which are suddenly applied to the articulating section. The articulating section is formed of a plurality of pivot rings and pivot beads. The rings and beads are made of metallic and polymeric material, respectively, and include apertures which seat the beads in the rings, and through which the control cable passes. The ultrasonic transducer at the distal tip of the probe is rotatable and includes a sliding membrane between the transducer and acoustic window to allow the transducer to rotate smoothly without sticking or binding.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5127410 (1992-07-01), King et al.
patent: 5320104 (1994-06-01), Fearnside et al.
patent: 5402793 (1995-04-01), Gruner et al.
patent: 5465724 (1995-11-01), Sliwa, Jr. et al.
Brechbiel Tracy C.
Dunham Paul T.
Oaks Frank Bentley
Zimmerman Calvin R.
ATL Ultrasound Inc.
Jaworski Francis J.
Yorks, Jr. W. Brinton
LandOfFree
Ultrasonic endoscopic probe does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ultrasonic endoscopic probe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ultrasonic endoscopic probe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2437070