US4608989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stand-off cell for an ultrasonic scanner head
Assignee: MEDICAL INNOVATION Co A CORP OF DENMARK AS
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Filing: 1984-02-07
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2004-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A stand-off cell for an ultrasonic scanner head has a slit in which a biopsy needle can be guided. The whole introduction will therefore take place in the area supervisable by the scanner head so that the needle can be guided in a secure manner when making a biopsy. The stand-off cell can be made of a plastics with the same acoustic impedance as tissue and can therefore be manufactured very cheaply. After the needle is introduced the stand-off cell can be removed as the needle slides out through the slit. This makes the biopsy easier and makes it possible to utilize the scanner head in the best way.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert R. C. Drue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:04
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: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A standoff cell for an ultrasonic scanner head having an area of supervision, the standoff cell comprising: clutch facing means for contacting an ultrasonic scanner head; contact surface means for contacting a patient's body; and an additional surface; and further comprising: slit means extending between the contract surface and the additional surface for passage therethrough of a needle, such that the point at which the needle penetrates the patient's body is within the area of supervision of the scanner head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A standoff cell for an ultrasonic scanner head having an area of supervision, the standoff cell comprising: clutch facing means for contacting an ultrasonic scanner head; contact surface means for contacting a patient's body; and an additional surface; and further comprising: slit means extending between the contract surface and the additional surface for passage therethrough of a needle, such that the point at which the needle penetrates the patient's body is within the area of supervision of the scanner head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A standoff cell according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface means is parallel to the clutch facing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A standoff cell according to claim 1, wherein ultrasonic waves emitted by the scanner head pass through the clutch facing means in a direction which would not lead the waves to a location on the contact surface means, through which location the needle passes, the standoff cell further comprising means for reflecting the waves to the location on the contact surface means through which location the needle passes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A standoff cell according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface means stands at right angles to the clutch facing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A standoff cell according to claim 4, further comprising removable means for retaining the needle in the slit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A standoff cell according to claim 3, wherein the acoustical impedance of the contact surface means differs from that of the patient's body by an amount sufficient to bend at the contact surface means ultrasonic waves emitted from the scanner head to an angle at which it is desired that the ultrasonic waves enter the patient's body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A standoff cell according to claim 1, further comprising guide means for further directing the needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A standoff cell according to claim 7, wherein the guide means is adjustable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A standoff cell according to claim 7, wherein the guide means is removable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A standoff cell according to claim 9, wherein the acoustical impedance of the contact surface means differs from that of the patient's body by an amount sufficient to bend at the contact surface means ultrasonic waves emitted from the scanner head to an angle at which it is desired that the ultrasonic waves enter the patient's body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A standoff cell according to claim 1, further comprising removable means for retaining the needle in the slit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A standoff cell according to claim 1, wherein the acoustical impedance of the contact surface means differs from that of the patient's body by an amount sufficient to bend at the contact surface means ultrasonic waves emitted from the scanner head to an angle at which it is desired that the ultrasonic waves enter the patient's body.
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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) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |