Abstract: A cover for an ultrasound scanning assembly is provided, wherein the cover exerts compressive force on the patient during use. The cover includes an outer frame and a nonporous or porous film extending across the outer frame. The outer frame is formed of a soft touch material.

Abstract: A puncture device guide includes a body member configured to fixedly attach to an ultrasound probe, a slide member slidingly received within the body member; and a cradle member slidingly received within the slide member and longitudinally fixed relative to the body member. The cradle member is configured to receive a puncture device therein. Longitudinal movement of the slide member causes radial movement of the cradle member relative to the body member.

Abstract: A puncture device guide comprises a guide body member configured to fixedly attach to an ultrasound probe and a lock assembly coupled to the guide body to fix the guide body relative to the ultrasound probe. The guide body member comprises a guide tube having a central aperture extending therethrough for receiving a puncture device; a forward securing member for engaging a forward portion of the ultrasound probe; and a rearward securing member for engaging a rearward portion of the ultrasound probe. The lock assembly is configured to be moveably coupled to the guide body member between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.

Abstract: A guidance device is provided for facilitating the placement of a puncture device (a needle) at a defined position relative to an ultrasound probe. The guidance device provides additional support of a needle tip near the needle injection site to maintain a selected path throughout an injection. The additional support is automatically retracted for simple disposal with the used syringe after an injection. The guidance device minimizes contact of soiled components and enables syringe insertion, alignment, and removal for multiple different injections without removal of an ultrasound probe from the patient.

Abstract: A puncture device guide includes a body member configured to fixedly attach to an ultrasound probe, a slide member slidingly received within the body member; and a cradle member slidingly received within the slide member and longitudinally fixed relative to the body member. The cradle member is configured to receive a puncture device therein. Longitudinal movement of the slide member causes radial movement of the cradle member relative to the body member.

Abstract: An imaging transducer comprises a housing that includes a coupling member for enabling the releasable securement of a needle guide device to the housing, wherein the needle guide device includes a body member and a lockable mounting member. The coupling member comprises a projection portion that projects outwardly from the housing, wherein the projection portion includes first and second undercut recesses on opposing sides of the projection portion. The projection portion is configured for receipt in a recess in the body member, the recess in the body member including at least one stop portion, wherein the first undercut recess is configured to receive the stop portion.

Abstract: An adaptor for mounting on an imaging transducer includes a hollow housing configured to receive a portion of the imaging transducer. The housing comprises a coupling member for enabling releasable securement of a needle guide device to the housing, wherein the needle guide device includes a body member and a lockable mounting member. The coupling member comprises a projection portion that projects outwardly from the housing, wherein the projection portion includes first and second undercut recesses on opposing sides of the projection portion, wherein the projection portion is configured for receipt in a recess in the body member, the recess in the body member including at least one stop portion.

Abstract: A low profile endocavity needle guide device for an ultrasonic probe is disclosed. The device includes a needle guide and a clamp assembly. The needle guide is a tubular member configured to enable an elongated needle to be extended through it. The clamp assembly includes a first clamp member, a second clamp member and a slidable member. The first clamp member is pivotable with respect to the second clamp member between an engagement position and a release position, and vice versa. The slidable member is mounted on the first clamp member and includes a low profile projection which engages a ramped surface of the first clamp member to pivot the first clamp member to the engagement position when the projection is slid up the ramped surface, and to enable the first clamp member to move to the release position when the projection is slid down the ramp surface.

Abstract: A needle guide to retain a needle at a desired trajectory with respect to an imaging transducer includes a body member, a needle holder subassembly, and a slide member. The needle holder subassembly is pivotably mounted on the body member to enable the needle holder subassembly to be oriented to various selected orientations with respect to the body member. The slide member is slidably coupled to each of the body member and the needle holder subassembly, such that movement of the slide member relative to the body member moves the needle holder subassembly between the various selected orientations.

Abstract: An adaptor for mounting on an imaging transducer includes a hollow housing configured to receive a portion of the imaging transducer. The housing comprises a coupling member for enabling releasable securement of a needle guide device to the housing, wherein the needle guide device includes a body member and a lockable mounting member. The coupling member comprises a projection portion that projects outwardly from the housing, wherein the projection portion includes first and second undercut recesses on opposing sides of the projection portion, wherein the projection portion is configured for receipt in a recess in the body member, the recess in the body member including at least one stop portion.

Abstract: An imaging transducer comprises a housing that includes a coupling member for enabling the releasable securement of a needle guide device to the housing, wherein the needle guide device includes a body member and a lockable mounting member. The coupling member comprises a projection portion that projects outwardly from the housing, wherein the projection portion includes first and second undercut recesses on opposing sides of the projection portion. The projection portion is configured for receipt in a recess in the body member, the recess in the body member including at least one stop portion, wherein the first undercut recess is configured to receive the stop portion.

Abstract: A needle guide device for releasable mounting on an imaging transducer or on an adaptor bracket on an imaging transducer is disclosed. The needle guide device includes a universal lockable mounting member which is configured for slidable releasable engagement with a coupling member on a specially constructed imaging transducer or on a conventional imaging transducer onto which a specially constructed adaptor is mounted. The needle guide device makes use of a slidable mounting member to cooperate with the coupling member. The needle guide device is adjustable to establish various selectable angular trajectories for a needle and has a low profile form factor to result in the creation of a minimal blind zone when mounted on the transducer and even if establishing a large angle for shallow needle penetration.

Abstract: A cover for an ultrasound scanning assembly is provided, wherein the cover exerts compressive force on the patient during use. The cover includes an outer frame and a nonporous or porous film extending across the outer frame. The outer frame is formed of a soft touch material.

Abstract: A low profile endocavity needle guide device for an ultrasonic probe is disclosed. The device includes a needle guide and a clamp assembly. The needle guide is a tubular member configured to enable an elongated needle to be extended through it. The clamp assembly includes a first clamp member, a second clamp member and a slidable member. The first clamp member is pivotable with respect to the second clamp member between an engagement position and a release position, and vice versa. The slidable member is mounted on the first clamp member and includes a low profile projection which engages a ramped surface of the first clamp member to pivot the first clamp member to the engagement position when the projection is slid up the ramped surface, and to enable the first clamp member to move to the release position when the projection is slid down the ramp surface.

Abstract: A needle guide device for releasable mounting on an imaging transducer or on an adaptor bracket on an imaging transducer is disclosed. The needle guide device includes a universal lockable mounting member which is configured for slidable releasable engagement with a coupling member on a specially constructed imaging transducer or on a conventional imaging transducer onto which a specially constructed adaptor is mounted. The needle guide device makes use of a slidable mounting member to cooperate with the coupling member. The needle guide device is adjustable to establish various selectable angular trajectories for a needle and has a low profile form factor to result in the creation of a minimal blind zone when mounted on the transducer and even if establishing a large angle for shallow needle penetration.

Abstract: A guide is provided for use with an imaging instrument, the guide including a first portion, a second portion proximate the first portion, and a cavity at least partially formed by the first and second portions, the cavity having a cavity width and configured to retain an instrument therein. The cavity width is selectively changeable to accommodate a plurality of diameters by sliding the second portion along a path with respect to the first portion.

Abstract: A guide is provided for use with an imaging instrument, the guide including a first portion, a second portion proximate the first portion, and a cavity at least partially formed by the first and second portions, the cavity having a cavity width and configured to retain an instrument therein. The cavity width is selectively changeable to accommodate a plurality of diameters by sliding the second portion along a path with respect to the first portion.

Abstract: A guide is provided for use with an imaging instrument, the guide including a first portion, a second portion proximate the first portion, and a cavity at least partially formed by the first and second portions, the cavity having a cavity width and configured to retain an instrument therein. The cavity width is selectively changeable to accommodate a plurality of diameters by sliding the second portion along a path with respect to the first portion.