IP Library Granted Patent US 11,633,251
Granted Patent B2
US 11,633,251 · App. 16/684,493 · Granted Apr 25, 2023

Enclosure for device including probe

Inventors: Jan Zwierstra (Los Angeles, CA); Kiah Lesher (Los Angeles, CA); Lane Stith (Los Angeles, CA)
Assignee: NovaSignal Corp.
A61B50/30A61B8/4263A61B8/4281A61B8/4422A61B46/10A61B2050/314A61B2090/037A61B2090/0808A61B2090/3937
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,633,251
App. No.
16/684,493
Granted
Apr 25, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Arrangements described herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods for an enclosure for a device having a probe supported by a housing. The housing defines a cavity through which the probe protrudes. The probe is configured to move within the cavity. The enclosure includes a removable enclosure body. The enclosure body is configured to enclose at least a portion of the housing while covering an entirety of the cavity. The enclosure further includes a probe interaction portion in the enclosure body. The probe interaction portion is configured to be operatively engaged with the probe such that the probe is configured to transmit acoustic energy to a subject from within the enclosure.

Claims (30)

1. An enclosure for a robotic device, the robotic device having a first cavity defining a cavity perimeter and comprising a probe extending from within the first cavity, the enclosure comprising:

a probe interaction portion having a hole configured to receive the probe;

a base having an enclosure perimeter defining a second cavity through which the probe extends when the base is placed on the robotic device at the cavity perimeter, wherein the first cavity is covered by the enclosure when the base is placed on the robotic device at the cavity perimeter; and

an enclosure body coupled to the base and having the probe interaction portion, wherein the probe is exposed to air when the probe extends through the hole of the probe interaction portion.

2. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be removably attached to the robotic device at the cavity perimeter.

3. The enclosure of claim 2 , further comprising a pocket of material wherein:

the pocket of material connects the base and the probe interaction portion; and

the pocket of material is configured to allow the probe to move freely within the first cavity and the second cavity and without disrupting an attachment between the base and the robotic device at the cavity perimeter.

4. The enclosure of claim 3 , wherein the probe interaction portion is located at approximately a center of the pocket of material.

5. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the base is made of a sufficiently rigid material to define a shape of the enclosure perimeter.

6. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the first layer comprises an adhesive strip that is covered by the second layer.

7. The enclosure of claim 6 , wherein:

the second layer is configured to be removed to expose the first layer; and

the enclosure is configured to be removably affixed to the robotic device when the first layer is placed on the robotic device at the cavity perimeter.

8. The enclosure of claim 7 , wherein the first layer is configured to create a seal between the base and the robotic device at the cavity perimeter such that the seal prevents ingress of liquids or particles between the base and the robotic device.

9. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the probe interaction portion and the probe are configured to contact each other in a friction fit to prevent ingress of liquids or particles between the probe interaction portion and the probe.

10. The enclosure of claim 9 , wherein the probe interaction portion comprises a silicone layer along a perimeter of the hole.

11. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the probe interaction portion comprises a container for storing a substance used with operation of the probe.

12. The enclosure of claim 11 , wherein the substance is an ultrasound gel.

13. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the probe interaction portion comprises a probe contact portion on an interior surface of the probe interaction portion that is configured to contact an end surface of the probe.

14. The enclosure of claim 13 , wherein the probe contact portion is configured to remain in contact with the end surface of the probe via a static charge force.

15. The enclosure of claim 13 , wherein the probe contact portion comprises an adhesive layer configured to releasably attach to the end surface of the probe.

16. A method for making an enclosure for a robotic device, the robotic device having a first cavity defining a cavity perimeter and comprising a probe extending from within the first cavity, the method comprising:

providing a probe interaction portion having a hole configured to receive the probe;

providing a base having an enclosure perimeter defining a second cavity through which the probe extends when the base is placed on the robotic device at the cavity perimeter, wherein the first cavity is covered by the enclosure when the base is placed on the robotic device at the cavity perimeter; and

providing an enclosure body coupled to the base and having the probe interaction portion, wherein the probe is exposed to air when the probe extends through the hole of the probe interaction portion.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

configuring the base to extend along the enclosure perimeter, the base comprising a first layer and a second layer, wherein:

the first layer comprises an adhesive strip that is covered by the second layer; and

the second layer is configured to be removed to expose the first layer.

Assignments (8)
DEFAULT Recorded Mar 5, 2024
From: NOVASIGNAL CORP.
To: AVENUE VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.
Reel/Frame 066741/0678 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2023
From: AVENUE VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.
To: NEURASIGNAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 064238/0383 →
STATEMENT OF FORECLOSURE Recorded Jul 5, 2023
From: NOVASIGNAL CORP.
To: AVENUE VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.
Reel/Frame 064206/0484 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2023
From: AVENUE VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.
To: NEURASIGNAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 064155/0787 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2023
From: NEURASIGNAL, INC.
To: AVENUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II, L.P.
Reel/Frame 064155/0854 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2021
From: NOVASIGNAL CORP.
To: AVENUE VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.
Reel/Frame 058425/0481 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 7, 2021
From: NEURAL ANALYTICS, INC.
To: NOVASIGNAL CORP.
Reel/Frame 056607/0699 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2019
From: ZWIERSTRA, JAN; LESHER, KIAH; STITH, LANE
To: NEURAL ANALYTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051020/0756 →