Ultrasound finger probe

US11413018B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bard Access Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jeanette E. Southard · Park City, US
• Matthew J. Prince · Portland, US
• Tab Robbins · Layton, US
• Timothy L. Creamer · Ocean Springs, US
• Kent F. Beck · Layton, US
• Paul T. Westwood · Kaysville, US
• Andrew J. Lengyel · Sandy, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 13, 2018
• Grant date: Aug 16, 2022
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B8/085
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ultrasound probe (“probe”) for use with an ultrasound imaging system is disclosed. In particular, the probe is sized and configured so as to be supported and readily used with as little as one finger on a single hand of a user of the imaging system. This configuration enables remaining fingers on the hand of the user to be employed for other purposes, such as skin traction and patient contact. In one embodiment, therefore, an ultrasound probe is disclosed, comprising a body, a lens included on head portion of the body, a stabilizing portion extending from the body and configured to stabilize the body on a skin surface of a patient without user assistance, and a finger grip portion configured to enable a user of the probe to grasp and maneuver the probe during use thereof with no more than two fingers on a single hand of the user.