IP Library Granted Patent US 10,610,195
Granted Patent B2
US 10,610,195 · App. 13/649,710 · Granted Apr 7, 2020

Probe and system for use with an ultrasound device

Inventors: M. Dexter Hagy (Greenville, SC); Stephen F. Ridley (Columbia, SC)
Assignee: Soma Research, LLC
A61B8/0841A61B5/062A61B8/4411A61B8/4422A61B8/4455A61B8/4483A61B8/461A61B17/3403A61B2017/3407A61B2017/3413A61B2034/2051A61B2090/062A61B2090/0811A61B2090/378
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,610,195
App. No.
13/649,710
Granted
Apr 7, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Claims (31)

1. A probe for use with an ultrasound device, the probe comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a subdermal probe tip, the second end comprising a target for a detector, the target comprising an array of permanent magnets.

2. The probe of claim 1 , further comprising a base plate comprising a magnetically permeable material, wherein the target is mounted on the base plate.

3. The probe of claim 1 , wherein a maximum magnetic flux density of the array of permanent magnets is at a center line of the target.

4. The probe of claim 3 , wherein the magnetic flux density decreases as a function of the distance moved away from the target.

5. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the array of permanent magnets comprises permanent magnets having a circular cross section.

6. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises a needle, a biopsy needle, a tube, or a blade.

7. A system for use with an ultrasound device, the system comprising:

a probe comprising a subdermal probe tip,

a target for a detector, the target comprising a permanent magnet, wherein the target is associated with an end of the probe, the subdermal probe tip being at a first end of the probe and the target being associated with a second opposite end of the probe; and

a sterilizable shield for the ultrasound device; wherein

the permanent magnet has a magnetic field strength that is non-contact detectable at a distance of 3.5 millimeters from the permanent magnet.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the sterilizable shield defines a probe guide therethrough.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the sterilizable shield comprises multiple sections capable of assembly with one another.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the multiple sections comprise a first section that defines a first portion of a probe guide and a second section that defines a second section of the probe guide, the probe guide comprising the first section and the second section.

11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the multiple sections of the sterilizable shield include a section that defines a probe guide therethrough.

12. The system according to claim 7 , the sterilizable shield comprising a clamp for clamping the probe.

13. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the probe comprises a needle, a biopsy needle, a tube, or a blade.

14. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the target has a circular cross section, an axis of the circular cross section being aligned with the probe.

15. The system according to claim 7 , further comprising a syringe.

16. The system according to claim 7 , further comprising a base plate of a magnetically permeable material.

17. The system according to claim 7 , the target comprising an array of permanent magnets.

18. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the target is attachable to the second end of the probe.

19. A system for use with an ultrasound device, comprising:

a probe, the probe comprising a subdermally insertable end and an external end;

a target for a detector, the target comprising a permanent magnet having a magnetic field strength that is electronically, non-contact detectable at a distance from the target; and

a syringe that is attachable to the probe, wherein the target is mounted at a base of the syringe.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the distance is from 3.5 millimeters to 13.5 millimeters.

21. The system of claim 19 , wherein a maximum magnetic flux density of the permanent magnet is at a center line of the target.

22. The system of claim 19 , wherein the target comprises an array of permanent magnets.

23. The system of claim 19 , wherein the probe comprises a needle, a tube, or a blade.

24. The system of claim 19 , wherein the probe is aligned with a center line of the target.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2016
From: RIDLEY, STEPHEN F.
To: SOMA RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 040600/0338 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: SOMA ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC
To: SOMA RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 037476/0909 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2014
From: SOMA ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC
To: HAGY, M. DEXTER
Reel/Frame 033694/0823 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2014
From: SOMA ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC
To: HAGY, M. DEXTER
Reel/Frame 033472/0717 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2014
From: SOMA ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC
To: HAGY, M. DEXTER
Reel/Frame 033244/0440 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2014
From: SOMA ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC
To: HAGY, M. DEXTER
Reel/Frame 032537/0594 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 12885832 · Sep 20, 2010
Related Publication 20130041254A1 · Feb 14, 2013