US3893449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reference apparatus for medical ultrasonic transducer
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1973-12-21
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1993-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A portable miniature ultrasonic transducer positioning apparatus is described having a transducer receiving sleeve coupled to a pair of orthogonally orientated, independently pivotable yokes. The yokes are pivotably mounted to a base member the under surface of which is fitted with a non-skid rubber cap. A pair of potentiometers are coupled to the axes of the yokes and to a dual meter sleeve position indicator for indicating, with respect to the axes of the yokes, the angular position of a probe slidably fitted in the sleeve. An oscilloscope or similar signal display device is coupled to the probe for providing signal readout from the probe for use in ultrasonic cardiology oscilloscope studies. As an option, a ball lever assembly is further provided coupled to the yokes by means of a four-wire cable and wheel assembly for remotely controlling yoke position and the angular position of the sleeve and a probe fitted therein. An emplacement of indelible marks on a patient''s chest corresponding to index marks on the base member, permit, with the use of previously obtained position information from the indicator, accurate positioning of the apparatus during subsequent examinations.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D Lee
- 👤 Robert J Hudock
- 👤 Dale I Shute
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B8/4209; A61B8/44; A61B8/4427; G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6823; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04707; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04748; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A transducer positioning apparatus comprising: a base member with an aperture therethrough; an elongated transducer receiving sleeve; a ball joint including a seat, and a ball with a channel therethrough, said seat being fastened to said base member around the periphery of said aperture, said sleeve being secured about its midsection to the channel wall of said ball whereby said sleeve may swivel in two orthogonal directions about a point inside said sleeve; first and second U-shaped yokes each having a slotted midsection, said slotted midsections being located over said aperture; means for pivotably mounting the extremities of said yokes to said base member so that said yokes are orthogonally disposed to each other and said sleeve slidably engages the slotted midsection of each yoke; means coupled to said yokes for remotely moving said yokes; and means for remotely indicating the orientation of said transducer receiving sleeve with respect to said base member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A transducer positioning apparatus comprising: a base member with an aperture therethrough; an elongated transducer receiving sleeve; a ball joint including a seat, and a ball with a channel therethrough, said seat being fastened to said base member around the periphery of said aperture, said sleeve being secured about its midsection to the channel wall of said ball whereby said sleeve may swivel in two orthogonal directions about a point inside said sleeve; first and second U-shaped yokes each having a slotted midsection, said slotted midsections being located over said aperture; means for pivotably mounting the extremities of said yokes to said base member so that said yokes are orthogonally disposed to each other and said sleeve slidably engages the slotted midsection of each yoke; means coupled to said yokes for remotely moving said yokes; and means for remotely indicating the orientation of said transducer receiving sleeve with respect to said base member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
158 words
A transducer positioning apparatus comprising: a base member with an aperture therein; a spherically-shaped seat attached to said base member and encircling said aperture; an elongated transducer receiving sleeve with a ring member fastened about it, the outer surface of said ring member being spherical, said ring member being rotatably secured by said seat whereby said sleeve and said ring member may pivot in two orthogonal directions about a point within said sleeve; first and second U-shaped yokes each having two arms and a slotted midsection, first means for pivotably mounting each arm of said first yoke to said base member, second means for pivotably mounting each arm of said second yoke to said base member so that said yokes are orthogonal and said sleeve slidably engages both of said slots; means coupled to said yokes for remotely moving said yokes; and means for remotely indicating the orientation of said transducer sleeve with respect to said base member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
A transducer positioning apparatus comprising: a base member with an aperture therein; a spherically-shaped seat attached to said base member and encircling said aperture; an elongated transducer receiving sleeve with a ring member fastened about it, the outer surface of said ring member being spherical, said ring member being rotatably secured by said seat whereby said sleeve and said ring member may pivot in two orthogonal directions about a point within said sleeve; first and second U-shaped yokes each having two arms and a slotted midsection, first means for pivotably mounting each arm of said first yoke to said base member, second means for pivotably mounting each arm of said second yoke to said base member so that said yokes are orthogonal and said sleeve slidably engages both of said slots; means coupled to said yokes for remotely moving said yokes; and means for remotely indicating the orientation of said transducer sleeve with respect to said base member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
174 words
Transducer positioning apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said moving means comprises: a first wheel coupled to said first yoke near the mOunting means for one of said yoke arms; a second wheel coupled to said second yoke near the mounting means for one of said yoke arms; a housing; a spherical member rotatably secured within said housing; a lever member fastened to said spherical member; first, second, third and fourth wires; a block with five passages therein attached to said base member; a sheath for containing said four wires extending from said housing to said block; said first and second wires each coupled between said first wheel and said lever member, said third and fourth wires each coupled between said second wheel and said lever member, all of said wires passing over said spherical member before reaching said lever member and said wires being equidistantly spaced on said spherical member whereby lever member motion is transmitted from said wires to said wheels to said yokes and finally to said transducer sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
Transducer positioning apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said indicating means comprises: first and second potentiometers secured to said base member, each of said potentiometers having a shaft, said first potentiometer shaft being coupled to said first yoke, said second potentiometer shaft being coupled to said second wheel; a resistance bridge circuit utilizing said first and second potentiometers, said bridge circuit having first and second meters, said first meter indicating the orientation of said sleeve with respect to a first degree of freedom and said second meter indicating said orientation of said sleeve with respect to a second degree of freedom orthogonal to said first degree of freedom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Transducer positioning apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein a line drawn through the arm pivots of said first yoke passes through said point and a line drawn through the arm pivots of said second yoke also passes through said point.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |