Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for characterizing adventitial tissue. In one aspect, a system and method is disclosed that characterizes tissue types within the adventitial tissue including nerve bundles and blood vessels. In a further aspect, the adventitia is imaged and characterized to provide guidance for crossing lesions within an occluded vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic wave-dissipation block and an ultrasonic probe having the same, which reflect and diffract a backward ultrasonic wave progressing toward the rear of piezoelectric ceramics for generating ultrasonic waves, so as to dissipate the ultrasonic wave, thereby improving the absorption performance of the ultrasonic wave, while reducing the weight and size of a part performing the role of absorbing the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave-dissipation block comprises: a base body in which an accommodation space is formed; and an ultrasonic reflector disposed in the accommodation space of the base body, and reflecting the ultrasonic wave, flowing in from the outside of the base body, in the direction of the inner sides of side walls of the base body.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in an array, a plurality of drawn-out signal lines drawn out from the plurality of piezoelectric elements, and a print board on which a plurality of connection conductors are formed for connecting between a plurality of communication cables connected to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body and the plurality of drawn-out signal lines, respectively, connection-conductor insulation layers being formed on the printed board so as to cover respective outer peripheries of the plurality of connection conductors, and a connection-conductor ground conductive layer being formed on the printed board so as to cover individual outer peripheries of the connection-conductor insulation layers, whereby the plurality of connection conductors are shielded from one another.

Abstract: An elongated member such as a catheter that uses ultrasound or optical coherence tomography “OCT”) technology to approximate the dimensions of a structure into which the catheter has been placed. The catheter includes multiple ultrasound transducers arranged in an annular or circumferential configuration on, embedded into or within the body of the elongated member so that distance measurements can be obtained between the elongated member and the wall of the immediately facing structure (e.g., a fluid-filled lumen). Utilizing these measurements, the present invention approximates for the physician the shape and size of the structure into which the elongated member is placed. The invention also includes a method for producing three-dimensional images from two-dimensional images.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article or an interface having a distribution of a first partially spherical indentation and at least a second partially spherical indentation contained within the first indentation to form a multi-component or “compound” shape that is referred to as a “compound” or “nested” dimples or indentations. These compound dimples or indentions may be concentric and are etched or otherwise formed into a surface or interface of an article to enhance the ultrasonic imaging. Exemplary articles may be needles of the type used to conduct nerve blocks or the interface may be the surface of such a needle, cannula, catheter, catheter tip or similar article.

Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for ultrasound imaging, for example of the inside of a body part such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a second motor operating a shaft or a filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms.

Abstract: Methods for acquiring ultrasonic data are disclosed. An image-acquiring system is provided. A three-dimensional target region is selected. A plurality of fiducial positions corresponding to anatomical features in the target region are calculated. A model of the target region comprising a plurality of target locations representing a plurality of planned locations in the target region at which ultrasonic data is to be acquired is created, and a visual representation of the model comprising a plurality of graphical elements is displayed. Ultrasonic data at each of the planned locations is acquired.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an operating method thereof. The operating method includes displaying an ultrasound image of a target object, receiving an ultrasound signal obtained from a moving object of interest (OOI) included in the target object, setting a first reference region in the ultrasound image, acquiring first moving path information of the OOI passing through the first reference region, based on the received ultrasound signal, and displaying the first moving path in the ultrasound image, based on the first moving path information.

Abstract: An integrated intraluminal imaging system includes an optical coherence tomography interferometer (OCT), an ultrasound subsystem (US) and a phase resolved acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography subsystem (PR-RAF-OCE).

Abstract: Synthetic-aperture ultrasound tomography systems and methods using scanning arrays and algorithms configured to simultaneously acquire ultrasound transmission and reflection data, and process the data using ultrasound waveform tomography with a wave-energy-based preconditioning method for improved ultrasound tomography imaging.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer that achieves broadband characteristics without degrading the sensitivity of the ultrasound transducer. Piezoelectric element (202) includes piezoelectric thin film (203), first electrode (204) that is disposed on a first surface of piezoelectric thin film (203) in a thickness direction of piezoelectric thin film (203), and second electrode (205) that is disposed on a second surface of piezoelectric thin film (203) in the thickness direction of piezoelectric thin film (203), and at least two of parameters of a spring constant, a viscosity coefficient, and a mass in an equivalent single damped oscillation model representing a structure of a diaphragm composed of each piezoelectric cell (200) are each set to a value that is different among the piezoelectric cells (200) such that a relationship between a driving frequency ratio and a phase in the diaphragm is substantially identical among the piezoelectric cells (200).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a signal processing method, and a recording medium capable of appropriately superimposing data and obtaining high quality images when correcting data by superimposing a plurality of data. A transmission frequency of an ultrasonic beam is set according to a processing condition in a data processor, and second element data is generated using a plurality of first element data obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic beam at the transmission frequency.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a transmitter, a generator, and an output controller. The transmitter transmits, from an ultrasound probe, push pulses that cause displacement of body tissue according to an acoustic radiation force and transmits, from the ultrasound probe, tracking pulses for observing the displacement of body tissue, which is caused according to the push pulses, in a given scanning area. The generator generates transmission area image data displaying a position to which the push pulses are transmitted. The output controller outputs the generated transmission area image data such that the transmission area image data is superimposed onto medical image data that contains the transmission area.

Abstract: The acoustic wave processing device includes a phasing addition unit which performs phasing addition on respective pieces of first element data with different elements as a reference to generate a plurality of pieces of first reception data, a reception data storage unit which stores first reception data, a reception data generation unit which superimposes two or more pieces of first reception data to generate second reception data, and a processing condition setting unit which sets the number of times of superimposition of first reception data. In a cine-reproduction mode, the reception data generation unit superimposes the set number of pieces of first reception data to generate second reception data.

Abstract: A dual-mode ultrasound system provides real-time imaging and therapy delivery using the same transducer elements of a transducer array. The system may use a multichannel driver to drive the elements of the array. The system uses a real-time monitoring and feedback image control of the therapy based on imaging data acquired using the dual-mode ultrasound array (DMUA) of transducer elements. Further, for example, multimodal coded excitation may be used in both imaging and therapy modes. Still further, for example, adaptive, real-time refocusing for improved imaging and therapy can be achieved using, for example, array directivity vectors obtained from DMUA pulse-echo data.

Abstract: A time gain compensation (TGC) circuit for an ultrasound device includes a first amplifier having an integrating capacitor and a control circuit configured to generate a TGC control signal that controls an integration time of the integrating capacitor, thereby controlling a gain of the first amplifier. The integration time is an amount of time an input signal is coupled to the first amplifier before the input signal is isolated from the first amplifier.

Abstract: An actuator for a medical device includes a housing, a driving unit mounted in the housing, a first moving unit slidably mounted in the housing and movable by the driving unit. The first moving unit includes a movable first car, an spring with two ends thereof abutting the housing and first car, respectively, and a lock formed between the driving unit and first car. The lock includes a first snap and a first protrusion detachably engagable with the first snap. One of the first snap and first protrusion is formed on the first car, and the other is formed on the driving unit. When the first protrusion disengages from the first snap, the spring moves the first car relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and methods for separating and collecting a tissue specimen from a patient's target site. The device includes a probe member with a penetrating distal tip and a tissue receiving aperture, and a tissue cutting member which is rotatable disposed within the probe member to cut a tissue specimen drawn into the interior of the device through the aperture. The longitudinal edges of the aperture are preferably sharpened to engage the cutting edges of the tissue cutting member. Vacuum may be provided in the inner lumen of the cutting member to transport tissue therethrough. Rotation, rotational oscillation and/or longitudinal reciprocation of the tissue cutting member is effective to separate a tissue specimen from surrounding tissue. An accessing cannula having an tissue receiving aperture may be concentrically disposed within the probe member and about the tissue cutting member.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and associated method includes an introducer needle and an aspiration needle. The introducer needle includes an introducer cannula and a removable introducer stylet that includes a sharp tip to penetrate bone. The aspiration needle includes an optionally flexible aspiration cannula and a blunt stylet. The aspiration needle is receivable in the introducer cannula when the introducer stylet is removed from the introducer needle. The aspiration cannula forms a channel for aspirating bone marrow when the stylet is removed. The aspiration device also includes a locking mechanism to lock the aspiration cannula to the introducer cannula when the aspiration cannula is received in the introducer cannula, whereby the aspiration cannula can be advanced distally relative to the introducer cannula in a controlled manner, and whereby pulling the aspiration cannula proximally causes the introducer cannula to move proximally with the aspiration cannula.

Abstract: A device for collecting a tissue sample includes a needle body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a plurality of cut outs extending laterally into the needle body, each of the plurality of cut outs extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis from an outer surface of the needle body toward the distal end thereof so that the channel is open to an exterior of the needle body via the plurality of cut outs.

Abstract: A marking device may include a body. The body may be configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The body may further include two arms. A distal end of each arm may be coupled to a distal end of the body. The marking device may further include a suture coupled to the body. Application of a force on a proximal end of each arm may be configured to cause the body to transition between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for delivery of fluid materials, particularly multi-part fluid materials, including modular apparatuses in which various components are maintained separately until ready for use. Each fluid component is maintained in a separate housing until mixing of the fluid components is desired. Maintaining components separately until use allows for proper filling, sterilization, packaging and storing until use.

Abstract: Provided are approaches to establish a failsafe barrier to internal bleeding from percutaneous wounds to protect a patient from failed wound closure devices or related complications due to a variety of contributing factors such as state of systemic anticoagulation, errors in surgical procedure, variability in patient anatomy, and the like. Systems include a clotting agent to encase, and thus isolate, substantially the entire wound access area from the rest of the patient and an instrument, such as an intravascular introducer sheath, inserted through a wound at an access site on a vessel, for delivering the clotting agent to the entire enveloping tissue region around the accessed area as a mold cavity to be filled with the clotting agent. With benefits of patient safety, user simplicity, and low healthcare cost driving the effort, autologous whole blood is the preferred injected agent.

Abstract: A device for occluding a vasculature of a patient including a micrograft having an absorbent polymeric structure with a lumen of transporting blood. The micrograft has a series of peaks and valleys formed by crimping. The occluding device is sufficiently small and flexible to be tracked on a guidewire and/or pushed through a microcatheter to a site within the vasculature of the patient. Delivery systems for delivering the micrografts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical rib cutter is disclosed. The surgical rib cutter includes a housing defining one or more guide slots. The surgical rib cutter also includes an anterior arm unit comprising an anterior effector configured to interact with an anterior side of a rib. The surgical rib cutter further includes a posterior arm unit comprising a posterior effector configured to interact with a posterior side of said rib. The surgical rib cutter also has an actuator movable relative to the housing and operationally coupled to at least one of the anterior and posterior arm units to move said at least one of the anterior and posterior arm units within at least one of the one or more guide slots to create a relative movement between the anterior and posterior arm units, said relative movement causing one of the anterior effector or the posterior effector to create a green stick break in said rib.

Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine, including one or more of creating an operative corridor to the spine, delivering implants to the spine, fusing one or more segments of the spine, and fixing one or more segments of the spine.

Abstract: An anchoring system for securing tissue to bone includes an implant having a body through which a suture eyelet extends transversely, a suture recess extending along a portion of a length of the body, having a predetermined depth below an outer surface of the body, and a suture pinch ramp disposed at a proximal end of the suture recess. The suture pinch ramp has a depth approximately equal to the predetermined depth at a distal end thereof and sloping outwardly in a proximal direction so that a depth of a proximal end of the suture pinch ramp approaches zero. An insertion member includes an insertion tube and a handle which is engageable with the anchor body to deploy the anchor in a selected bone site.

Abstract: The invention concerns a perfected device for the transosseous insertion of suture threads. This device comprises a main body (1) supporting a protruding cannula (3) provided with an active end (30); the device comprises a flexible threadlike element (4), on which there are fashioned a sharp tip (40) and an opening (41) that serves for the threading of at least one suture thread (5), said element (4) being housed in a coaxially sliding manner inside said cannula (3) and, on command, exiting from the active end (30) of the cannula, assuming a curved position; the device comprises first means for producing the coaxial movement of the threadlike element (4) in the two directions with respect to the cannula (3) and second means for producing a coaxial movement of the threadlike element in the exiting direction from the cannula (3); for a short tract, the movement produced by the second means is disengaged from the advancement of the threadlike element produced by the first means.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneouly. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneouly or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: A tissue fastening device is provided. The tissue fastening device may include an elongate member having fastener guides extending between a working end and a control end and a firing aperture disposed on the working end, an arcuate needle disposed within the firing aperture of the working end and rotatable between a retracted position and an extended position, the arcuate needle including an antegrade recess configured to engagably receive an end of a fastener during advancement of the arcuate needle, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the arcuate needle and configured to, upon actuation, advance the arcuate needle in a forward rotation to engage the end of the fastener to be installed and push the end of the fastener through one of a tissue and a prosthetic material into a helical configuration.

Abstract: A surgical suturing instrument has a chamber for receiving and aligning a ferrule with a reciprocating needle. The chamber includes a plurality of protuberant concave and convex surfaces for positioning and aligning the ferrule within the chamber and the plurality of suture receiving chambers disposed between the aligning ridges for receiving a suture and preventing the suture from jamming the ferrule in the chamber.

Abstract: A suture apparatus having a housing, actuator and capture rod, the actuator being engaged to the capture rod to form an actuator-capture rod assembly, an elongated cannula shaft having a lumen that extends through the shaft, and capture rod retraction means, the housing including an internal region that is configured to receive and support the capture rod retraction means, actuator proximal end and actuator rod distal end therein, wherein said capture rod retraction means is in communication with said actuator. The actuator-capture rod assembly and capture rod retraction means being positioned and configured to transition from a retracted position to an extended position when an actuation force is applied to the actuator and return the retracted position by the retraction means when the actuation force is released.

Abstract: A puncture needle assembly is disclosed, which includes a puncture needle adapted to puncture biological tissue; and a connector adapted to connect an elongated body insertable in a living body to a needle tip section of the puncture needle, the connector having a dissecting section adapted to dissect biological tissue by moving in a direction opposite to a direction in which the puncture needle punctures the biological tissue. The puncture needle assembly further includes a connection mechanism capable of connecting the puncture needle and the connector to each other; and a rotation restricting mechanism adapted to restrict rotation about an axis of the connector in relation to the puncture needle.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section, the cartridge assembly including a safety lockout pivotably disposed along the upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unlocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving-half section.

Abstract: An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a minimally invasive procedure, the anatomical structure having a first side and a second side, the end effector including an anvil, a cartridge that is configured to house a plurality of staples, and a compression mechanism that movably couples the anvil to the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a handle assembly; a shaft assembly including a housing extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the shaft assembly; a jaw mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the shaft assembly, the jaw being movable between an open spaced-apart condition and a closed approximated condition; and a pusher bar reciprocally disposed within the housing of the shaft assembly and being detachably connectable to the housing of the shaft assembly, the pusher bar being configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the jaws during distal movement and remain connected to the housing of the shaft assembly and in a distally advanced position during an approximation of the jaws.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed stimulate nerve growth by applying a tensile (axial pulling) load on a proximal stump of the nerve. This load may be imposed once, at the time of repair. This implementation may be advantageously employed to remove tension away from the repair site, for any number of soft tissues, e.g., nerves, ligaments, tendons, and so on. Alternately, for a larger gap, by progressively elongating a nerve through tensile stimulation, the nerve may regenerate and be fully functional, particularly if elongated at a proper rate. After sufficient regrowth, nerve ends may be reattached, resulting in more complete functional recovery. Two implementations, which have been embodied in prototype devices, also include particularly useful features, one of which uses a screw and clamp with slotted insert design, and the other of which enables the use of sutures or straps to secure the tissue to the clamp.

Abstract: Implantable occlusion devices that include one or more flanges extending from a tubular body are disclosed. The flange or flanges may assist in retention of the device within a vessel, cavity, appendage, etc. At least one flange on the occlusion device may include a concave surface proximate one end of a body. Because of the shape of the flange, e.g., its concavity, the occlusion device may resist dislocation due to e.g., the forces generated within the left atrial appendage during atrial filbrillation.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a handle assembly; a shaft assembly including a housing extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the shaft assembly; a jaw mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the shaft assembly, the jaw being movable between an open spaced-apart condition and a closed approximated condition; and a pusher bar reciprocally disposed within the housing of the shaft assembly and being detachably connectable to the housing of the shaft assembly, the pusher bar being configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the jaws during distal movement and remain connected to the housing of the shaft assembly and in a distally advanced position during an approximation of the jaws.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing surgery on a bone using a navigation subsystem having a locating device and a robotic subsystem having a cutting tool.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone tunneling and suturing device including a bone-engaging needle driving assembly including a bone-engaging needle and being adapted for arthroscopic insertion into engagement with a patient's bone at a first bone location through an arthroscopic incision and for driving the needle forwardly along a generally arcuate tunneling path through the bone at least to a second bone location and a bone-engaging pin driving assembly arranged for operative engagement with the bone-engaging needle driving assembly and being adapted for arthroscopic insertion into engagement with a patient's bone at a third bone location through the arthroscopic incision.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism designed to removably attach a reamer to the distal end of a spindle or shaft is disclosed. The coupling comprises a collar having an annular sidewall that defines a collar throughbore, the collar annular sidewall comprising a plurality of spaced part first slots that at least partially extend through the sidewall and a shank disposed within the collar throughbore. The shank is constructed with a shank annular sidewall in which a plurality of spaced apart second slots at least partially extend therethrough. A bias member that provides a bias force in a distal direction that acts on the collar is incorporated within the mechanism. The collar is capable of sliding in an axial direction such that the first and second slots become aligned to secure the cross bar of a reamer therein.

Abstract: In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a surgical drill can include a housing, a retracting enclosure slidably disposed within the housing and configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position and a retracting motor operatively connected to the retracting enclosure to move the retracting enclosure between the extended position and the retracted position. The drill can further include a drill motor including a motor shaft configured to connect to a drill chuck and disposed within the retracting enclosure such that the motor shaft can rotate relative to the retracting enclosure.

Abstract: Bone harvesting tools and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In an embodiment, the tool comprises a chamber having a first aperture, a second aperture, an internal cavity, and a suction source fluidly connected with the chamber. The suction source is effective to generate negative pressure within the internal cavity of the chamber. The tool also has a reamer having a reaming portion, the reamer being sized to extend through the first and second apertures of the chamber, wherein the reamer is movable relative to the chamber. Additionally, the tool includes a storage container fluidly connected to the internal cavity of the chamber and effective to receive bone and/or cellular material extracted from the patient, the bone and/or cellular material being extracted during reaming a bone of the patient with the reamer.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the present invention includes an instrumentation system for preparing a bone for soft tissue repair, the instrumentation system including a flexible drill pin capable of bending along a curved path; an aimer capable of engaging the flexible pin to bend the flexible pin; and a flexible reamer having a flexible portion along at least a portion of its length, the flexible portion comprising a plurality of laser cuts.

Abstract: The present application relates to adaptive surface surgical guiding apparatuses. A surgical guiding apparatus may include one or more rigid portions configured to attach to a first region of an underlying anatomical surface. The surgical guiding apparatus may further include a variable deformable portion coupled to the one or more rigid portions, the variable deformable portion configured to conform to a shape of a second region of the underlying anatomical surface to provide a stable attachment of the surgical guiding apparatus to the underlying anatomical surface. The present disclosure further provides methods for manufacturing surgical guiding apparatuses and uses of the apparatuses for placement onto an underlying anatomical surface.

Abstract: A medical retrieval basket used for entrapping and extracting objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body comprising a handle assembly, a flexible shaft, and a basket. The basket comprises a plurality of outwardly disposed shape memory wires and is bulbous in shape at its distal end. Located at the intersection point of the wires at the distal end of the basket is a hub that restricts the degree of relative movement between the wires. This hub also serves to increase contact points with the object to be retrieved and to stabilize the orientation of the basket wires. The substantially tipless configuration of the distal end of the basket permits the basket to retrieve objects from difficult to reach locations and reduces tissue trauma caused by the basket tip. The basket wires have varying cross sectional shapes and sizes in different sections of the basket to optimize the performance to the needs of each section within the basket.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body, a shaft, an ultrasonic blade, and an acoustic assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body. The blade is disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The acoustic assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide coupled with the blade, a piezoelectric transducer element, a fastener, and a coupling member. The transducer element defines an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface. The fastener is configured to secure the transducer element relative to the waveguide. The coupling member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the fastener and the inner diameter surface of the transducer element. The outer diameter surface of the transducer element includes an annular recess. Another coupling member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the annular recess of the piezoelectric transducer element and a power source while permitting the piezoelectric transducer element to rotate relative to the body.