Needle guide including enhanced visibility entrance
A needle guide for use with a handheld probe having a connector protruding from a probe surface. The needle guide can include an upper portion including an upper surface, a lower portion defining a cavity to receive the connector of the handheld probe, and a needle channel. The needle channel can extend from a proximal portion of the upper surface to a distal end of the upper surface. The needle channel can have a fixed size. The needle guide can include a guide surface extending into the upper portion and the lower portion of the needle guide at a proximal end of the needle guide. The guide surface can include a concave shape with a conical surface that funnels into a proximal end of the needle channel.
1. A needle guide for use with a handheld probe having a connector protruding from a probe surface, comprising:
an upper portion including an upper surface;
a lower portion defining a cavity to receive the connector of the handheld probe;
a needle channel extending from a proximal portion of the upper surface to a distal end of the upper surface, the needle channel having a fixed size; and
a guide surface extending into the upper portion and the lower portion of the needle guide at a proximal end of the needle guide, the guide surface having a concave shape with a conical surface that funnels into a proximal end of the needle channel.
2. The needle guide according to claim 1 , wherein an outer perimeter of the guide surface at the proximal end of the needle guide spans a substantial width of the upper portion and a substantial width of the lower portion.
3. The needle guide according to claim 1 , wherein the needle channel is defined by opposing walls separated by a slot.
4. The needle guide according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the needle channel is tapered.
5. The needle guide according to claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the needle guide includes a first mating feature designed to interact in a snap-fit arrangement with a second mating feature on the connector of the handheld probe to couple the needle guide to the handheld probe.
6. The needle guide according to claim 5 , wherein the first mating feature comprises a protrusion, and wherein the second mating feature comprises a depression.
7. The needle guide according to claim 1 , wherein the cavity in the lower portion is defined in part by a first leg spaced from a second leg.
8. The needle guide according to claim 7 , wherein the first leg and the second leg of the needle guide includes a first mating feature designed to interact in a snap-fit arrangement with a second mating feature on the connector of the handheld probe to couple the needle guide to the handheld probe.
9. The needle guide according to claim 8 , wherein the first mating feature comprises a first protrusion extending from an inner surface of the first leg and a second protrusion extending from an inner surface of the second leg, and wherein the second mating feature comprises a first depression on a first side of the connector and a second depression on a second side of the connector.
10. The needle guide according to claim 7 , further comprising a stability feature including a first notch in the first leg and a second notch in the second leg, the second notch aligned with the first notch, wherein the first notch is designed to receive a first extension of the connector of the handheld probe, and wherein the second notch is designed to receive a second extension of the connector of the handheld probe.
11. The needle guide according to claim 1 , wherein the needle channel comprises a lumen defined by a needle channel wall.
12. The needle guide according to claim 11 , wherein the needle channel wall includes a first side, a second side, and a first slot between the first side and the second side.
13. The needle guide according to claim 12 , wherein the first slot extends an entire length of the needle channel wall.
14. The needle guide according to claim 1 , wherein the needle channel comprises a lumen defined by a needle channel wall and the upper surface.