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US4363326A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ultrasonic apparatus for needle insertion

Assignee: Advanced Technology Laboratories Inc
•
Filing: 1980-12-22
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2000-12-22
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Abstract

Abstract Ultrasonic interrogating apparatus for needle insertion has an array of ultrasonic transducers, electronics for exciting the transducers to ultrasonic emission and receiving ultrasonic echoes therefrom, a housing for the electronics having first and second ends, and a display for presenting the received echoes. The array of transducers is seucred to the electronics housing in laterally offset relationship therefrom. The passage extends through the array of transducers without extending through the electronics housing. A needle is inserted through the passage in the transducer array for the purpose of aspiration or biopsy. The passage comprises a longitudinal slot converging from end to end and a transverse slot extending laterally for the entire length of the longitudinal slot from the longitudinal slot to the side surface of the array.

Inventors

  • 👤 LeRoy Kopel

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 17:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B8/0841; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B2017/3413

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 95 words
Ultrasonic interrogating apparatus comprising: an array of ultrasonic transducers; electronic means for exciting the transducers to ultrasonic emission and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the transducers; means for connecting said transducers with said electronic means; means for displaying the ultrasonic echoes received from the transducers; a hand grip having a first end and a second end; means for attaching the array of transducers to the hand grip in offset relationship from the first end thereof; a passage extending through the transducer array without extending through the hand grip; and a needle slidably inserted into the passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 95 words
Ultrasonic interrogating apparatus comprising: an array of ultrasonic transducers; electronic means for exciting the transducers to ultrasonic emission and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the transducers; means for connecting said transducers with said electronic means; means for displaying the ultrasonic echoes received from the transducers; a hand grip having a first end and a second end; means for attaching the array of transducers to the hand grip in offset relationship from the first end thereof; a passage extending through the transducer array without extending through the hand grip; and a needle slidably inserted into the passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the passage comprises a longitudinal slot converging in a direction away from the first end of the hand grip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 2, in which the passage additionally comprises a transverse slot extending laterally from the longitudinal slot to the side surface of the transducer arrary to provide lateral access to the longitudinal slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 3, in which the hand grip contains at least some of the electronic means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 96 words
An ultrasonic scanner comprising: a straight row of ultrasonic transducers; an elongated transducer housing containing the transducers; electronic means for exciting the transducers to ultrasonic emission and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the transducers, an elongated hand grip; a base plate having first and second opposite mounting surfaces; means for securing the hand grip to the first mounting surface; means for securing the transducer housing to the second mounting surface in laterally offset parallel relationship to the hand grip; and a passage extending through the mounting plate and the transducer housing without passing through the hand grip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 96 words
An ultrasonic scanner comprising: a straight row of ultrasonic transducers; an elongated transducer housing containing the transducers; electronic means for exciting the transducers to ultrasonic emission and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the transducers, an elongated hand grip; a base plate having first and second opposite mounting surfaces; means for securing the hand grip to the first mounting surface; means for securing the transducer housing to the second mounting surface in laterally offset parallel relationship to the hand grip; and a passage extending through the mounting plate and the transducer housing without passing through the hand grip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 5, in which the hand grip serves as a housing for the electronics means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3857387A Cited
US3902495A Cited
US4058114A Cited
US4289139A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-12-13 1986-06-14 1986-12-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-12-13 1990-06-14 1990-12-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-12-13 1994-06-14 1994-12-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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