US4417583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method of internal examination of gastro intestinal tract and adjacent organs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-06-30
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Granted: 1983-11-29
•
Expires: 2002-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A probe for use in internally examining a gastro intestinal tract and adjacent organs includes a head connected to an elongate body portion. A plurality of ultrasonic crystals are spaced around the periphery of the head and the crystals are controlled to produce a real time scan of the tract which may be viewed or recorded. Fluid is delivered through lumens in the body portion to the external surface of the head to couple acoustically the crystals and wall of the tract. A see-head crystal array is provided on the probe to enable the head to be maneuvered within the tract. The probe is used to provide a method of internal examination which includes inserting the probe into the tract, energizing the crystals and acoustically coupling the crystals to the tract by supplying a fluid to the tract in the region of the head of the probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Nabil R. Bechai
- 👤 Alan J. Cousin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B1/00; A61B1/273; A61B1/2733; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A probe suitable for use in internally inspecting a gastro intestinal tract and adjacent organs comprising a head connected to a flexible cable, first means on said probe to provide an image of the tract in advance of said probe, an ultrasound array mounted on said head and including a plurality of transducers circumferentially spaced around said head, transmitting means to transmit signals between said array and a processing device to produce an ultrasound image of said tract and fluid outlet means on said head to deliver fluid directly to said tract surrounding said head to acoustically couple said array to said wall and enable displacement of said probe along said tract whilst maintaining said acoustic coupling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A probe suitable for use in internally inspecting a gastro intestinal tract and adjacent organs comprising a head connected to a flexible cable, first means on said probe to provide an image of the tract in advance of said probe, an ultrasound array mounted on said head and including a plurality of transducers circumferentially spaced around said head, transmitting means to transmit signals between said array and a processing device to produce an ultrasound image of said tract and fluid outlet means on said head to deliver fluid directly to said tract surrounding said head to acoustically couple said array to said wall and enable displacement of said probe along said tract whilst maintaining said acoustic coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A probe according to claim 1 wherein said fluid outlet means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced nozzles and an axial lumen to permit removal of localized air from said tract, to provide a forward fluid source and to accommodate a biopsy needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A probe according to claim 2 including means to vary the relative flow rate through said nozzles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A probe according to claim 1 including manipulating means to vary the orientation of said head to said cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means to provide an image of the tract in advance of said probe comprises an ultrasound array mounted on a leading edge of said probe and connected by said transmitting means to said processing device.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of examining a gastro intestinal tract comprising the steps of inserting a probe having an ultrasound transducer array into said tract, energizing said array to provide an ultrasound image of the tract surrounding said probe, and acoustically coupling said array and the walls of said tract by supplying fluid from said probe directly into said tract to enable displacement of said probe along said tract whilst maintaining said image.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of examining a gastro intestinal tract comprising the steps of inserting a probe having an ultrasound transducer array into said tract, energizing said array to provide an ultrasound image of the tract surrounding said probe, and acoustically coupling said array and the walls of said tract by supplying fluid from said probe directly into said tract to enable displacement of said probe along said tract whilst maintaining said image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6 including the further step of recording said image for subsequent reproduction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of examining according to claim 6 including the step of utilising means mounted on said probe to obtain an image of said tract in advance of said probe.
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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) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-05-30 | 1987-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-28 | 1991-05-30 | 1991-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-28 | 1995-05-30 | 1995-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |