Ultrasonic medical probe with failsafe for sterility and associated method
US11298434B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/0814
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic medical probe has a horn or shaft, a shank at a proximal end of the shaft, a probe head at a distal end of the horn or shaft, opposite the shank, and at least one polymeric component fixed to at least one of the horn or shaft, the shank, and the probe head. The shank is provided at a proximal end opposite the horn or shaft with an externally threaded connector for attaching the probe to a source of ultrasonic vibratory energy. The polymeric component is of a composition that transmits and is essentially impervious to ultrasonic vibratory energy but that degrades or decomposes upon exposure to a source of extreme energy (other than ultrasonic vibratory energy), rendering the probe inoperative for use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.