US4469106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Needle guide for use with medical ultrasonic scanning apparatus
Assignee: Advanced Technology Laboratories Inc
•
Filing: 1982-10-12
•
Granted: 1984-09-04
•
Expires: 2002-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A needle guide for use with a medical ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a pivoting plate on a fixed mounting plate. The mounting plate is attached to an ultrasonic scanhead whereby a surface of the mounting plate is in the plane of the ultrasound scan. An adjustable pivoting plate on the mounting plate includes at least one needle aligner, which preferably has a groove formed therein. The pivoting plate can be pivoted and locked into position on the mounting plate. An idler plate, containing an idler roller is spring mounted on the pivoting plate. The idler plate can be pivoted, whereby the idler roller moves away from the guide needle aligners. A raised wall on the pivoting plate prevents an improperly placed needle from puncturing a sterile sheath applied over the scanhead, such as in a brain scan. Thus a needle, such as a biopsy needle can be placed between the idler roller and the needle aligner and will be held in place by the spring tension on the idler roller.
Inventors
- 👤 Norio Harui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00469; A61B2017/3413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An adjustable needle guide for use with a medical ultrasonic scanning apparatus comprising: (a) A mounting plate including means for attachment to an ultrasonic scanning apparatus; (b) A pivoting plate, pivotally mounted on said mounting plate, whereby said pivoting plate can be moved in the plane of the ultrasonic scan, said pivoting plate including means for locking said pivoting plate in a fixed angular position on said mounting plate; (c) At least one needle aligner mounted on said pivoting plate, said at least one needle aligner being adapted to slideably hold a needle which is biased against said needle aligner; (d) An idler plate which is pivotally mounted on said pivoting plate, said idler plate including an adjustable needle diameter biasing means; and (e) Spring means which biases said idler plate to move said adjustable needle diameter biasing means toward said at least one needle aligner on said pivoting plate, whereby a needle placed between said at least one needle aligner and said adjustable needle diameter biasing means is biased toward said at least one needle aligner by said spring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An adjustable needle guide for use with a medical ultrasonic scanning apparatus comprising: (a) A mounting plate including means for attachment to an ultrasonic scanning apparatus; (b) A pivoting plate, pivotally mounted on said mounting plate, whereby said pivoting plate can be moved in the plane of the ultrasonic scan, said pivoting plate including means for locking said pivoting plate in a fixed angular position on said mounting plate; (c) At least one needle aligner mounted on said pivoting plate, said at least one needle aligner being adapted to slideably hold a needle which is biased against said needle aligner; (d) An idler plate which is pivotally mounted on said pivoting plate, said idler plate including an adjustable needle diameter biasing means; and (e) Spring means which biases said idler plate to move said adjustable needle diameter biasing means toward said at least one needle aligner on said pivoting plate, whereby a needle placed between said at least one needle aligner and said adjustable needle diameter biasing means is biased toward said at least one needle aligner by said spring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 1 wherein said means for attachment of said mounting plate to said ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes means for aligning said mounting plate in the plane of the scan of said ultrasonic scanning apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 1 comprising a pair of needle aligners.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 3 wherein said needle aligners are comprised of rollers, the axis of rotation of said needle aligners being substantially orthogonal to the surface of said pivoting plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 3 wherein said mounting plate further comprises a raised protective wall between said needle aligners and said scanhead, whereby a needle will be deflected away from said scanhead if it is not properly placed between said needle aligners and said adjustable needle diameter biasing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 3 wherein said adjustable needle diameter biasing means comprises an idler roller, the axis of rotation of said idler roller being substantially orthogonal to the surface of said idler plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 6 wherein said needle aligners are comprised of rollers, the axis of rotation of said needle aligners being substantially orthogonal to the surface of said pivoting plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 7 wherein said ultrasonic scanning apparatus is a mechanical sector scanner and said means for attachment of said mounting plate to said ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a band which encircles one end of said ultrasonic scanning apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 8 wherein said means for aligning said mounting plate in the plane of the scan of said ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a key on said band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic scanning apparatus is a mechanical sector scanner and said means for attachment of said mounting plate to said ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a band which encircles one end of said ultrasonic scanning apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 1 wherein said means for aligning said mounting plate in the plane of the scan of said ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a key on said band.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 1 comprising a single needle aligner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 12 wherein said needle aligner is comprised of a single, elongated piece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 13 wherein said needle aligner includes a groove adapted to receive a needle, said groove extending along the length of said needle aligner in an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said idler roller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 14 wherein said ultrasonic scanning apparatus is a mechanical sector scanner and said means for attachment of said mounting plate to said ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a band which encircles one end of said ultrasonic scanning apparatus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The adjustable needle guide of claim 15 wherein said means for aligning said mounting plate in the plane of the scan of said ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a key on said band.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3556079A
Cited
US4058114A
Cited
US4029084A
Cited
US4108165A
Cited
US4289139A
Cited
US4249539A
Cited
US4402324A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-04 | 1988-03-05 | 1988-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-04 | 1992-03-05 | 1992-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-04 | 1996-03-05 | 1996-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |