Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to equipment and procedures in the field of surgery and/or diagnostics and, more particularly, to instruments, systems, and methods for undertaking surgical and/or diagnostic procedures that involve and/or are in proximity to the brain, e.g., cranial procedures and/or surgery. The disclosed devices generally include a handle member and an elongated probe that includes an ultrasound transducer. The devices may be used in conjunction with K-wires/guidewires, tubular members, e.g., EVD catheters and/or ventricular drains, endoscopes/cameras, and accessory items such as curettes, probes, knives, suction devices, scissors, cautery units, forceps, grasping devices and the like.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic instruments/systems are provided that include (i) a proximal handle configured and dimensioned to permit an operator to manually grasp the instrument; (ii) an ultrasound probe including a longitudinal shaft extending distally from the handle and terminating in a distal end, and an ultrasound transducer mounted with respect to the longitudinal shaft, the ultrasound transducer including an array of ultrasonic energy generation elements (iii) a tactile feeler probe mounted with respect to the ultrasound probe; and (iv) at least one hollow receiver member mounted with respect to the longitudinal shaft of the ultrasound probe, the at least one hollow receiver member configured to receive a K-wire to permit the instrument to be slidably mounted thereto for purposes of guiding the ultrasound and tactile feeler probes axially relative to a desired anatomical location. Advantageous methods for use of the disclosed instruments/systems are also provided.