US5381794A — Ultrasonic probe apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 214 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe rotatably and pivotally; and means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a body surface of an object to be examined in such a manner that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of the probe are directed to a region in the body to be diagnosed, said holding means including a plurality of elongated holding legs coupled to said supporting means so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to a rotation axis of the probe and adapted to maintain direct contact with the body surface, said holding legs being adapted to be freely deformable according to a profile of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state, and said holding legs adapted to be attached to the body surface with fixing means such as an adhesive tape so that said probe is held onto the body surface irrespective of the profile of the object to be examined, the ultrasonic beams from said probe directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs to meet with the profile of the object to be examined.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 214 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe rotatably and pivotally; and means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a body surface of an object to be examined in such a manner that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of the probe are directed to a region in the body to be diagnosed, said holding means including a plurality of elongated holding legs coupled to said supporting means so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to a rotation axis of the probe and adapted to maintain direct contact with the body surface, said holding legs being adapted to be freely deformable according to a profile of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state, and said holding legs adapted to be attached to the body surface with fixing means such as an adhesive tape so that said probe is held onto the body surface irrespective of the profile of the object to be examined, the ultrasonic beams from said probe directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs to meet with the profile of the object to be examined.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said holding legs is formed of a metallic material having such a flexural rigidity that could be easily plastically-deformed.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 2, wherein the metallic material is a copper.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one coating layer formed of polymer is provided on the surface of the metallic material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 4, wherein the coating layer is formed over the entire of each leg.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 4, wherein the coating layer is formed of medical unplasticized polyvinyl chloride.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 4, wherein the coating layer is formed of silicone materials.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 55 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 2, wherein said supporting member has a lower part, and the plurality of holding legs includes four holding legs fixed in an X-shape configuration extending radially around the lower part of the supporting member, and each of the legs formed into a fiat plate-like configuration having a narrow width.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 33 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said supporting member comprises a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotatably and pivotally supporting said first holder.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 39 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for shifting said ultrasonic probe in any desired directions by remote control under the condition that said probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 39 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 10, wherein said ultrasonic probe shifting means comprises means for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivoting or inclining said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 184 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe rotatably and pivotally including a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotatably and pivotally supporting said first holder; and means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined, said holding means being adapted to be freely deformable according to a figure of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state; means for shifting said ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined, said ultrasonic probe shifting means including a first electric motor provided on said second holder, and a roller arranged in contact with said first holder and rotated by said first electric motor for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivoting or inclining said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 184 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe rotatably and pivotally including a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotatably and pivotally supporting said first holder; and means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined, said holding means being adapted to be freely deformable according to a figure of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state; means for shifting said ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined, said ultrasonic probe shifting means including a first electric motor provided on said second holder, and a roller arranged in contact with said first holder and rotated by said first electric motor for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivoting or inclining said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first electric motor rotates said first holder within an angular range between +90 and -90 degrees.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 79 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pivoting means comprises at least one second electric motor provided on said second holder, and at least one movable member movable in and out by said second electric motor in a radial direction perpendicular to an axis of said second holder, in which said first holder being adapted to be pivotally inclined with respect to said second holder when said movable member is brought into contact with said first holder.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 37 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 14, wherein said pivoting means comprises three sets of second electric motors and movable members which are respectively arranged at constant angular intervals along a circumferential direction of said second holder.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 237 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe pivotally and rotationally; means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined so that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of the probe are directed to a region to be diagnosed, said holding means including a plurality of elongated holding legs attached to said supporting means so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to a rotation axis of the probe in direct contact with the body surface, each holding leg adapted to be freely deformable to conform with a figure of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state; fixing means such as adhesive tape for attaching the holding legs directly to the body surface so that said probe is held against the body surface irrespective of the figure of the object to be examined, the ultrasonic beams of said probe directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs so as to meet with the figure of the object to be examined; and means for shifting said ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said ultrasonic probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined by said holding means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 237 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe pivotally and rotationally; means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined so that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of the probe are directed to a region to be diagnosed, said holding means including a plurality of elongated holding legs attached to said supporting means so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to a rotation axis of the probe in direct contact with the body surface, each holding leg adapted to be freely deformable to conform with a figure of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state; fixing means such as adhesive tape for attaching the holding legs directly to the body surface so that said probe is held against the body surface irrespective of the figure of the object to be examined, the ultrasonic beams of said probe directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs so as to meet with the figure of the object to be examined; and means for shifting said ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said ultrasonic probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined by said holding means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 33 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 16, wherein said supporting member comprises a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotatably and pivotally supporting said first holder.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 17, wherein said ultrasonic probe shifting means comprises means for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivoting said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 159 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe pivotally and rotationally including a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotatably and pivotally supporting said first holder; means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined; and means for shifting said ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said ultrasonic probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined by said holding means, said shifting means including a first electric motor provided on said second holder, and a roller arranged in contact with said first holder and rotated by said first electric motor for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivoting said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 159 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a phased array transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe pivotally and rotationally including a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotatably and pivotally supporting said first holder; means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined; and means for shifting said ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said ultrasonic probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined by said holding means, said shifting means including a first electric motor provided on said second holder, and a roller arranged in contact with said first holder and rotated by said first electric motor for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivoting said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first electric motor rotates said first holder within an angular range between +90 and -90 degrees.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 78 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 20, wherein said pivoting means comprises at least one second electric motor provided on said second holder, and at least one movable member movable in and out by said second electric motor in a radial direction perpendicular to an axis of said second holder, in which said first holder being adapted to be pivotally inclined relative to said second holder when said movable member is brought into contact with said first holder.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 37 words

The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 21, wherein said pivoting means comprises three sets of second electric motors and movable members which are respectively arranged at constant angular intervals along a circumferential direction of said second holder.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 286 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe rotationally and pivotally, said supporting means including a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotationally and pivotally supporting said first holder; means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined in such a manner that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of the probe are directed to a region to be diagnosed, said holding means including a plurality of holding legs provided on said supporting means so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to the rotation axis of the probe in direct contact with the surface, said holding legs being adapted to be freely deformable according to a figure of the object to be examined and retainable in the deformed state, said holding legs adapted to be attached to the body surface with fixing means such as an adhesive tape, whereby said probe can be retained against varying body surface shapes, the ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of said probe thereby directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs to meet with the body surface shape of the object to be examined; and means for changing the direction of the ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined, said direction changing means including means for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivotally inclining said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 286 words

An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe provided with a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; means for supporting said ultrasonic probe rotationally and pivotally, said supporting means including a first holder for supporting said ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for rotationally and pivotally supporting said first holder; means for holding said supporting means which supports said ultrasonic probe on a surface of an object to be examined in such a manner that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of the probe are directed to a region to be diagnosed, said holding means including a plurality of holding legs provided on said supporting means so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to the rotation axis of the probe in direct contact with the surface, said holding legs being adapted to be freely deformable according to a figure of the object to be examined and retainable in the deformed state, said holding legs adapted to be attached to the body surface with fixing means such as an adhesive tape, whereby said probe can be retained against varying body surface shapes, the ultrasonic beams transmitted from the transducer of said probe thereby directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs to meet with the body surface shape of the object to be examined; and means for changing the direction of the ultrasonic probe in any desired direction by remote control under the condition that said probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined, said direction changing means including means for rotating said first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivotally inclining said first holder relative to said second holder.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 182 words

An ultrasonic probe holding apparatus comprising: means for supporting an ultrasonic probe provided with a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves rotationally and pivotally; and means for holding said supporting means on a surface of an object to be examined, said holding means including a plurality of holding legs each extending from the supporting means to an end section in an initial configuration so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to the rotation axis of the probe and adapted so that each end section lies fiat in direct contact with the body surface, said holding legs being adapted to be freely deformable according to a profile of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state while at the same time retaining shape memory of the initial holding leg configuration whereby said support means are held onto variable body surface shapes of the object to be examined, the probe directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs so as to conform with the profile of the object to be examined.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 182 words

An ultrasonic probe holding apparatus comprising: means for supporting an ultrasonic probe provided with a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves rotationally and pivotally; and means for holding said supporting means on a surface of an object to be examined, said holding means including a plurality of holding legs each extending from the supporting means to an end section in an initial configuration so as to extend therefrom radially and outwardly with respect to the rotation axis of the probe and adapted so that each end section lies fiat in direct contact with the body surface, said holding legs being adapted to be freely deformable according to a profile of the object to be examined and further retainable in the deformed state while at the same time retaining shape memory of the initial holding leg configuration whereby said support means are held onto variable body surface shapes of the object to be examined, the probe directed to the region to be diagnosed by appropriately deforming the holding legs so as to conform with the profile of the object to be examined.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 95 words

The ultrasonic probe holding apparatus of claim 24, wherein said supporting means comprises a first holder for holding the ultrasonic probe therewithin, and a second holder for pivotally holding said first holder, in which further comprises means for shifting said first holder in any desired directions by remote control under the condition that the ultrasonic probe is held on the surface of the object to be examined, said shifting means including means for rotating the first holder relative to said second holder, and means for pivotally inclining said first holder relative to said second holder.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-01-16	1998-07-18	1999-01-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-01-16	2002-07-18	2003-01-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-01-16	2006-07-18	2007-01-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Ultrasonic probe apparatus

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