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Publication Number
US-12310784-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic probe that acquires an ultrasonic image to diagnose or treat an object using a needle.The ultrasonic probe includes a case, a needle inserted into an object in the vicinity of the case, and a needle guide detachably mounted on the case to guide the needle, wherein the needle guide includes a base including a guide part configured such that the needle is inserted therein, and a support member configured to be movable along the guide part to support movement of the needle.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe includes a case and a needle that is inserted into an object in the vicinity of the case, and further includes a needle guide detachably mounted on the case to guide the needle.
The needle guide comprises a base with a guide part configured such that the needle is inserted therein. The guide part includes a guide groove provided along a first direction in which the needle is inserted, and the guide groove is configured to have a different depth along the first direction so that a plurality of needles having different diameters are insertable in the guide groove.
A support member is configured to be movable along the guide groove in the first direction to support movement of the needle. The position of the support member on the guide groove varies along the first direction depending on the diameter of the needle, and the support member comprises a support member body and a guide protrusion protruding from the support member body, with the guide protrusion comprising an elastic material to be inserted into the guide groove and form a guide pipe.
The guide part further comprises an inlet and an outlet, with an inclined portion provided to be inclined between the inlet and the outlet. A cross section of an inlet of the guide part is a triangular shape such that the needle is guided to the inclined portion to prevent the needle from getting out from the guide part, and the guide groove is configured to have a different width along the first direction while an inner surface of the guide protrusion is inclined with a bottom surface of the guide groove in the first direction.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim covering an ultrasonic probe having a detachably mounted needle guide with four inventive features.
Detachably mounted needle guide with base guide groove varying by needle diameter
An ultrasonic probe including a case, a needle inserted into an object in the vicinity of the case, and a needle guide detachably mounted on the case, where the needle guide comprises a base with a guide part configured such that the needle is inserted therein, the guide part including a guide groove provided on the base along a first direction and configured to have a different depth along the first direction so that a plurality of needles having different diameters are insertable in the guide groove.
Movable support member positioned according to needle diameter with elastic guide protrusion
A support member configured to be movable along the guide groove in the first direction to support movement of the needle, where a position of the support member on the guide groove varies along the first direction depending on a diameter of the needle, and where the support member comprises a support member body seated on the base and a guide protrusion protruding from the support member body to be inserted into the guide groove, with the guide protrusion comprising an elastic material.
Inlet/outlet with inclined portion and triangular inlet cross section to prevent needle escape
The guide part further comprises an inlet with one open end so that the needle is inserted into the guide part and an outlet at the other end so that the needle is supported by the guide part, the guide part including an inclined portion provided to be inclined between the inlet and the outlet, where a cross section of an inlet of the guide part is a triangular shape such that the needle is guided to the inclined portion to prevent the needle from getting out from the guide part.
Guide groove width variation and inclined inner surface of guide protrusion
The guide groove is configured to have a different width along the first direction in which the needle is inserted, and an inner surface of the guide protrusion is inclined with a bottom surface of the guide groove in the first direction.
Across the independent claim, coverage is centered on a detachably mounted needle guide that includes a guide groove with depth variation for different needle diameters, and a movable support member whose position varies along the groove based on needle diameter. The movable support member includes an elastic guide protrusion forming a guided support, and the guide part uses an inlet/outlet with an inclined portion and a triangular inlet cross section to prevent needle escape, together with width variation and aligned inclinations between the guide protrusion inner surface and the guide groove bottom surface.
Stated Advantages
Reduced needle-guide management complexity.
Improved usability.
Documented Applications
Use in an ultrasonic imaging apparatus/ultrasonic probe for inserting a needle into an object in the vicinity of a case to guide the needle.
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