Omni-directional precision instrument platform
US6248101A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/1012
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting and facilitating accurate positioning, both linearly and angularly of a medical device such as an ultrasound probe, a medical instrument or an imaging device. The apparatus is capable of both gross and precise multi-directional movements with the medical device attached, while remaining connected to stationary objects such as a portable floor stand and/or operating table. After gross manual placement and approximate positioning, the fine tune mechanism of the attached medical device is locked in positioned and secured to two fixed points. Exact positioning is then achieved by the precision movements which are available in all three linear directions and rotational axes. By this arrangement which allows preattachment of the medical device or instrument (i.e., an ultrasound probe) to the apparatus prior to positioning in the patient, quicker, more accurate and more reproducible medical device positioning and placement are achieved. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides for multi-directional adjustment including a plurality of translational adjustments and one rotational adjustment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.