US5351691A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic probe
Assignee: OPTISCHE INDUCTRIE "DE OUDE DELFT" BV
•
Filing: 1991-07-31
•
Granted: 1994-10-04
•
Expires: 2011-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic probe suitable for use as a TEE-probe, comprising a flexible tube having at one end a probe head which is provided with a phased array type ultrasonic transducer comprising a number of elongated transducer elements which elements can be individually electrically controlled by means of cables connected to the individual elements and extending through the flexible tube. The transducer is fitted in an essentially cylindrical transducer housing which is mounted in the probe head with its longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the probe head. The transducer housing is fitted rotatable in the probe head in such a way that the transducer is rotatable in the plane of the array by a driver cooperating with the transducer housing. By means of at least on flexible printed circuit board the elongated transducer elements are connected to cables extending through the flexible tube. The at least one flexible printed circuit board extends through an opening into the transducer housing, is present in the transducer housing in a loop shape and ends at least at a number of connecting electrodes of transducer elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Pieter D. Brommersma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; A61B8/12; A61B8/445; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4488; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/004; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; G10K11/355
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An endoscopic probe, which comprises: a probe head including a cylindrically-shaped transducer housing rotatably disposed therein; an ultrasonic transducer of the phase array type formed of a plurality of elongated transducer elements disposed within said transducer housing, said ultrasonic transducer having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said probe head; means for rotating said ultrasonic transducer in said transducer housing within a plane of said phase array of said ultrasonic transducer; a loop-shaped flexible circuit board extending into said ultrasonic housing and connected to said plurality of elongated transducer elements; a flexible tube connected to said probe head; and conductors extending through said flexible tube electrically connected to said flexible circuit board.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An endoscopic probe, which comprises: a probe head including a cylindrically-shaped transducer housing rotatably disposed therein; an ultrasonic transducer of the phase array type formed of a plurality of elongated transducer elements disposed within said transducer housing, said ultrasonic transducer having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said probe head; means for rotating said ultrasonic transducer in said transducer housing within a plane of said phase array of said ultrasonic transducer; a loop-shaped flexible circuit board extending into said ultrasonic housing and connected to said plurality of elongated transducer elements; a flexible tube connected to said probe head; and conductors extending through said flexible tube electrically connected to said flexible circuit board.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 1 wherein an opening in said transducer housing extends over a circular arc of about 180°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claims 1 or 2 and further including a pin member fitted in said transducer housing for guiding therearound said flexible printed circuit board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 3 and further including two pin members fitted in said transducer housing and extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said transducer housing on either side of said longitudinal axis of said probe head wherein said flexible printed circuit board is guided between said pin members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said transducer housing includes a backing layer disposed in an electrically insulating frame member in which is positioned said ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 5 wherein said flexible printed circuit board is disposed beneath said backing layer of said transducer housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 1 and further including a support plate, proximate said probe head and a printed circuit board positioned on said support plate whereby conductor tracks on said printed circuit board are in electrical contacting relationship with conductor tracks of said flexible printed circuit board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible printed circuit board in an unfolded state is substantially V-shaped forming two wing strips, each wing strip comprising an elongated part and a short transverse part having an end part of conductors connected to separate elongated transducer elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 8 wherein each elongated part of each wing strip is comprised of two conductor tracks on either side of a fold line extending in a longitudinal direction of said wing strip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said ultrasonic transducer comprise a belt member coursed about said ultrasonic transducer housing and having free ends connected to pull cables extending through said flexible tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 10 wherein said belt member comprises spring steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The endoscopic probe as defined in claim 10 and further including a metal strip-like member rigidly connected to said ultrasonic transducer housing and connected to said belt member by a spot weld.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-03 | 1998-04-04 | 1998-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-03 | 2002-04-04 | 2002-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-03 | 2006-04-04 | 2006-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |