Surgical probe apparatus and system

US5916167A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• NEOPROBE CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Daniel A. Kramer · Dublin, US
• Beth A. Kizer · Columbus, US
• William G. Atterbury · Columbus, US
• Marty J. Warnecke · Grandview, US
• Steve W. Stracener · Frederick, US
• Jan B. Yates · Reynoldsburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 10, 1997
• Grant date: Jun 29, 1999
• Expiry date: Oct 10, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/392
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical probe wherein a heat sterilizable and reusable detector component is combined with a disposable handle and cable assembly. The reusable detector component incorporates a detector crystal and associated mountings along with preamplifier components. It is formed having a positioning shaft extending therefrom to a contact supporting surface carrying a pattern of electrical contact surfaces. Two orientation bosses are formed with the positioning shaft. The disposable handle employs an insert member having a receiving cavity. The electrical contact carrying tip of the shaft engages an elastomeric seal and moves into electrical engagement with a pattern of electrical contacts mounted within the handle in conjunction with a permanently affixed flexible cable.