Abstract: A sheath for receiving an ultrasonic probe and for defining the relative position of the probe with respect to a biopsy gun or a rigid needle is used for precise placement of the biopsy gun or needle tip in a structure. The sheath may comprise a keyhole-shaped slot for placement of a rigid needle through a puncture separate from a surgical port through which the sheath itself and the probe are introduced. A flexible catheter can thus be placed in a structure, using the ultrasonic probe to monitor its placement, followed by removal of the probe sheath and surgical port, leaving the catheter in place.

Abstract: An improved composite ultrasonic transducer, and elements therefor, which may be made autoclavable, and a method of making these elements. A number of planar precursors comprising strips of piezoelectric ceramic material separated from one another by a polymer material are stacked one above another with the ceramic strips aligned with one another, and with electrical conductors disposed between each of the planar precursors. These precursors are then bonded to one another, to form a bonded assembly. The bonded assembly is then slit along parallel lines perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the ceramic strips, subdividing the strips into individual ceramic members and also subdividing the planar conductors, forming ribbon-like conductors extending between opposite sides of the array. The saw kerfs are filled with a hardening polymer material. The ribbon-like conductors reaching the edges of the assembly are then connected electrically in parallel, reducing the capacitance of the individual emitters.

Abstract: A sheath for receiving an ultrasonic probe and for defining the relative position of the probe with respect to a biopsy gun or a rigid needle is used for precise placement of the biopsy gun or needle tip in a structure. The sheath may comprise a keyhole-shaped slot for placement of a rigid needle through a puncture separate from a surgical port through which the sheath itself and the probe are introduced. A flexible catheter can thus be placed in a structure, using the ultrasonic probe to monitor its placement, followed by removal of the probe sheath and surgical port, leaving the catheter in place.

Abstract: An improved composite ultrasonic transducer, and elements therefor, which may be made autoclavable, and a method of making these elements. A number of planar precursors comprising strips of piezoelectric ceramic material separated from one another by a polymer material are stacked one above another with the ceramic strips aligned with one another, and with electrical conductors disposed between each of the planar precursors. These precursors are then bonded to one another, to form a bonded assembly. The bonded assembly is then slit along parallel lines perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the ceramic strips, subdividing the strips into individual ceramic members and also subdividing the planar conductors, forming ribbon-like conductors extending between opposite sides of the array. The saw kerfs are filled with a hardening polymer material. The ribbon-like conductors reaching the edges of the assembly are then connected electrically in parallel, reducing the capacitance of the individual emitters.

Abstract: A sealable connector assembly for terminating a multiconductor cable, such as used for connecting electronic surgical instruments to devices for providing drive signals and analyzing return signals, comprises a body terminating in a flange having a planar distal edge. A cap member placed over the flange includes a planar gasket sealing to the planar edge of the flange, and secured to the connector by a locking member.

Abstract: Elongated arrays of individual ultrasonic transducer elements at spaced locations emit wedge-shaped beams of ultrasonic energy such that energy emitted by corresponding elements of the arrays travels into a common region of the object to be imaged. Energy emitted by the elements of both arrays is reflected by the same structure within the object. The relative distances of the reflecting structure from the corresponding elements of the arrays are compared to determine the elevation of the reflecting points with respect to an image plane, and a three-dimensional image of the reflectors is generated. A virtual image including information responsive to the elevation of the points can be derived, and used to recalculate the visible display corresponding to a user-selected image plane. The transducer may include a parallel pair of arrays.

Abstract: Apparatus for disinfecting electronic probes used in surgical procedures comprises a housing for containing a disinfecting fluid and including a dummy connector for forming a sealed connection to the cable connector by which the probe is connected to associated equipment, whereby the contacts of the cable connector are protected from exposure to the disinfecting fluid.

Abstract: A bendable ultrasonic probe useful in endosurgical operations is provided having a therapy channel with a shape that is substantially unaffected by bending of the probe. The probe can be used to convey substantially nonbendable tools to the vicinity of an ultrasonic device that has been repositioned by bending the probe. A sheath is provided having a rigid, self-supporting body portion that may be used with the bendable ultrasonic probe. The sheath may have a therapy channel for conveying surgical tools. Also, the sheath may have a flexible balloon on one end for accommodating the bendable portion of the probe, which is disposed in the flexible balloon.

Abstract: A medical endosurgical device is provided having both ultrasonic imaging and biopsy capabilities for easy grasping and manipulation by a surgeon. The medical endosurgical apparatus includes an ultrasonic imaging probe having an insertion portion with an ultrasonic device near the insertion tip and a probe handle for manipulating the ultrasonic imaging probe to position the ultrasonic device in the patient's body. The medical endosurgical device also includes a biopsy actuator that is mounted on the handle of the ultrasonic imaging probe so that a biopsy needle assembly exiting from the biopsy actuator is oriented to the field of view of the ultrasonic device on the probe.

Abstract: An articulated ultrasonic probe for endoscopic examination comprises a transducer head, for example, having one or more rows of independently actuable transducer elements extending along the surface of the probe, parallel to the axis thereof. The probe comprises an articulable section while the transducer head is journaled for rotation with respect to the tip of the probe. In use the tip of the probe is juxtaposed to a structure to be examined; the articulated section of the probe and the rotation of the transducer are controlled separately, such that the transducer elements can be juxtaposed to the structure to be examined. A series of angularly-spaced images may be formed by rotation of the transducer about its axis after articulation of the probe.

Abstract: A connector mechanism for locking together first and second mating connector elements comprises a locking lever geared to rotate a locking rod returned by one of the connector elements. The tip of the locking rod extends into a mating recess in the other of the connector elements. When the rod is rotated, a helical member extending therearound slides along a cooperating arcuate member formed in the recess, locking the two elements together. The actuating rod is rotated by a control lever, enabling one-hand operation of the connector, and providing a readily ascertainable visual indication of the status of the connection. A locking member may be provided for preventing rotation of the lever except when the elements have been correctly assembled to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical ultrasonic imaging probe, such as may be used in laparoscopic surgery. A probe is provided having both forward viewing and side viewing ultrasonic capabilities. An apparatus is provided for manipulating and orienting video ultrasound images on a video monitor according to the position of the probe. A probe is also provided having both an ultrasonic device and a surgical tool, such as an electrocautery hook for excising and/or cauterizing tissue, that can be closely monitored by the ultrasonic device. Also provided is an ultrasonic probe having lumens for placing ultrasonically transmissive medium adjacent to ultrasonic transducers. A removable, rigid sheath is provided to fit over a laparoscopic probe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that is useful in obtaining blood flow information. The device includes a carrier that, in preferred embodiments of the invention, includes either a catheter or guide wire. The device further includes at least one transducer that is capable of generating and/or receiving an ultrasonic signal that departs or is received, respectively, by the transducer at an angle to the surface of the transducer that is exposed to the blood flow. One embodiment of the apparatus employs a transducer that is capable of generating a surface acoustic wave (SAW) that, upon contact with blood, is converted into a "leaky" wave. Another embodiment of the device employs a transducer that utilizes the grating lobe effect to transmit and/or receive ultrasonic signals at an angle to the surface of the transducer that is exposed to the blood flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical ultrasonic imaging device with dynamic focusing that is capable of operating at high frequencies and providing high resolution. One embodiment of the device includes a plurality of transducers, arranged in either a linear or curved array, for converting an ultrasonic signal received by the device into a plurality of electrical signals. This embodiment of the device also includes a plurality of vector modulators for phase-shifting the plurality of electrical signals to achieve fine focusing. A delay line array is further included in the device that allows each of the phase-shifted electrical signals to be delayed by a selected amount to achieve coarse focusing of the electrical signals. Further included in the device is a summer of summing the time delayed and phase-shifted electrical signals to provide focused image data.