Transducer position locking system
US6866635B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4281
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic endoscopic probe tip device which provides signals to an imaging system for transesophageal diagnosis includes a removable housing adapted to be attached to the distal end of an endoscope. A rotatable, ball-bearing-mounted phased array transducer within the housing is rotatable around its acoustic propagation axis through multiple turns. The transducer is driven by an immersed micro-motorized drive. A torque limiting gearbox couples the drive to the transducer. A position encoder provides the imaging system with transducer position information over a 360° range. An automatic transducer position locking/unlocking system is used to lock the transducer in a selected rotational position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.