Abstract: An invasive interventional device or probe for use in an interventional medical procedure includes a control handle operably connected to an imaging system and an insertion tube. The body having an exterior cross-sectional shape and defining an interior with an interior cross-sectional shape. The body is formed with a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of opposed end panels joining opposite ends of the pair of side panels, a top panel disposed over and joined to the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels and a bottom panel located opposite the top panel and joined to the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels with one or more control elements disposed on the body that control the operation of the interventional device. In addition, the exterior cross-sectional shape of the body conforms to a space defined within a hand in a relaxed grip position.

Abstract: An invasive/interventional device or probe includes a control handle operably connected to an imaging system and an insertion tube. The control handle includes a body, a movement control mechanism disposed at least partially within the body and having one or more control elements disposed on the body, one or more gears rotatably disposed within the body, operably connected to the control elements, and one or more cables engaged with the gears, the cables extending outwardly from the body and adapted to be engaged with a tip of the interventional medical device. The control handle further includes a motion locking mechanism disposed at least partially within the body, the motion locking mechanism having one or more brake rods biased into engagement with the gears and a release switch engaged with the brake rods to selectively position the brake rods into or out of engagement with the gears.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device or probe includes a tip having a heat conducting exterior housing within which an imaging element is positioned. The imaging element is engaged with a heat sink formed of an electrically insulating material that also has high thermal conductivity. The heat sink contacts and extends through and electrically insulating enclosure within which the imaging element is disposed. As a result, the heat generated by the imaging element can be readily conducted to the ambient environment via the heat sink and heat conductive exterior housing while also enabling the imaging element and other electrical components to be electrically insulated from the housing.

Abstract: An invasive interventional device or probe for use in an interventional medical procedure includes a control handle operably connected to an imaging system and an insertion tube. The body having an exterior cross-sectional shape and defining an interior with an interior cross-sectional shape. The body is formed with a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of opposed end panels joining opposite ends of the pair of side panels, a top panel disposed over and joined to the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels and a bottom panel located opposite the top panel and joined to the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels with one or more control elements disposed on the body that control the operation of the interventional device. In addition, the exterior cross-sectional shape of the body conforms to a space defined within a hand in a relaxed grip position.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device or probe includes a tip having a heat conducting exterior housing within which an imaging element is positioned. The imaging element is engaged with a heat sink formed of an electrically insulating material that also has high thermal conductivity. The heat sink contacts and extends through and electrically insulating enclosure within which the imaging element is disposed. As a result, the heat generated by the imaging element can be readily conducted to the ambient environment via the heat sink and heat conductive exterior housing while also enabling the imaging element and other electrical components to be electrically insulated from the housing.

Abstract: An invasive/interventional device or probe for use in an interventional medical procedure includes a control handle operably connected to an imaging system and an insertion tube. The insertion tube includes a first, proximal section operably connected to the control handle and a second, distal section operably connected to the first section opposite the control handle. The first section includes a stiff but flexible structure that can be manipulated to alter the shape of the first section, but that can retain the selected shape after being moved. The nature of the construction for the first section enables the first section to positioned as desired by the operator of the probe, and to retain that position until modified by the operator. The first section of the insertion tube allows the operator to manipulate only the second section during the procedure, reducing operator fatigue and increasing positional precision for the probe.