Abstract: A multi-position biopsy guide system and a method of using such biopsy guide system is proposed. The biopsy guide system comprises a 2D matrix ultrasound transducer (3) and comprises at least one biopsy needle guide (5) adapted for guiding a biopsy needle along a biopsy path (7). Therein, the multi-position biopsy guide system is adapted to controllably guide the biopsy needle along biopsy paths at variable locations with respect to the 2D matrix ultrasound transducer. Preferably, a location of the biopsy needle guide (5) with respect to the matrix ultrasound transducer may be determined and an ultrasound image in an image plane aligned with a biopsy path corresponding to the determined location of the biopsy needle guide may be acquired. Thereby, a biopsy process may be monitored for various locations and orientations of a guided biopsy needle.

Abstract: A scanning system and an image display method are provided, the method including: implementing a scanning process to obtain scanning data; converting the scanning data into image data; implementing an identification process and a segmentation process to the image data to obtain position and direction information of an interventional device; and calculating a first set of imaging parameters corresponding to a first image display mode based on the obtained position and direction information of the interventional device, and implementing real-time image display based on the first set of imaging parameters. Position and direction of interventional devices may be determined accurately. Further, multiple display modes are available, which may provide an accurate and full range image display.

Abstract: An interventional medical device for use with a motion-sensitive ultrasonic imaging system comprising a flexible elongated member for insertion into soft tissue, a two-axis, flexing mechanism coupled to the flexible elongated member and a mechanism for controlled electrical excitation of the flexible elongated member. Each of the axial flexing mechanisms, when acted upon by electrical excitation, forcibly bends the elongated member along a section of it length causing its tip to move in the plane of the applied bending force. As a direct result of direct energy coupling by bending rather than vibration, the relative phases of the two axes can be controlled to accomplish specific movement of the tip of the flexible elongated member.

Abstract: The invention presents tools to improve a 3-D image aided biopsy or treatment procedure for prostate gland by providing additional functionality and additional visual cues on an output image of the prostate, which may be generated substantially in real-time. The tools include i) the identification of various parts of prostate to classify as per regular classification in pathological reports, ii) Computing and displaying the insertion depth of needle with respect to a selected target point during the procedure, iii) Computing and displaying the distance from needle tip to prostate surface following a procedure and, iv) Calibration for misalignment of a 2-D imaging transducer when used under tracked motion for a procedure.

Abstract: A side-fire ultrasonic probe includes an alignment feature that, when used to connect the probe with a needle guide for intra-cavity medical procedures, enables alignment of a needle in an imaging plane of an ultrasonic transducer. The alignment feature is configured such that alignment of the needle within the imaging plane is accomplished when a protective sheath is disposed between the alignment feature and the needle guide. This configuration can be used with high frequency ultrasonic arrays having frequency distributions centered at about 20 MHz, and for medical procedures, such as biopsying organs or other bodily intra-cavity structures, and delivering intra-cavity therapies.

Abstract: A puncture apparatus is disclosed, which can include an elongated insertion portion configured to be inserted into a living body lumen, a puncture needle configured to puncture a living body tissue near the insertion portion from a part different from the living body lumen, with the insertion portion inserted in the living body lumen, a puncture needle guide portion, which movably supports the puncture needle and which determines a puncture path for a needle tip of the puncture needle when the puncture needle punctures the living body tissue, an ultrasonic transmission-reception section in the insertion portion or the puncture needle guide portion, for transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave, and an image data production section for producing image data for displaying on a display section an image including the living body lumen and a predicted path of the puncture path, based on information acquired by the ultrasonic transmission-reception section.

Abstract: Needle guide systems for a sonography device are disclosed. The needle guide systems include both fixed and adjustable needle guides. In one embodiment, the needle guide includes a needle guide body that is rotatably mounted to a probe of a sonography device. A plurality of needle channels is disposed on a surface of the needle guide body. Each needle channel can be selectively rotated into position to guide a needle into a body of a patient at a predetermined needle insertion angle. If another needle insertion angle is desired, the needle guide is rotated to place a new needle channel defining the desired needle insertion angle into position. In another embodiment, a needle guide is disclosed and includes an extended guide feature, such as a guide cone, to assist in inserting a needle into the needle channel.

Abstract: A device fixing adaptor according to an embodiment fixes a device disposed at a grip part of an ultrasound probe to the ultrasound probe, by having such a shape that causes the device and a cable connected to the device to be pressed against the grip part from a top face thereof and inhibits the device from shifting a position thereof around the grip part.

Abstract: A system for deploying needles in tissue includes a controller and a visual display. A treatment probe has both a needle and tines deployable from the needle which may be advanced into the tissue. The treatment probe also has adjustable stops which control the deployed positions of both the needle and the tines. The adjustable stops are coupled to the controller so that the virtual treatment and safety boundaries resulting from the treatment can be presented on the visual display prior to actual deployment of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus is utilized for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a main body and a disposable cartridge. The main body includes a imaging device attachment, wherein the imaging device attachment is utilized to secure an image capturing instrument to the main body; a cartridge carrier coupled to the imaging device attachment, wherein the cartridge carrier is adjustable to achieve a target insertion depth; and a first motor coupled to the cartridge carrier, wherein the first motor adjust the cartridge carrier to achieve the target insertion depth. The disposable cartridge is attached to the cartridge carrier and houses a sheath, needle, or guidewire to be inserted into the vessel to the target insertion depth.

Abstract: An indicator element of a percutaneous needle guide for a medical scanning device includes a pointer for pointing to a percutaneous needle entry site on an epidermis of a body, when the guide is attached to the device and the device is positioned over the epidermis for scanning A user may orient and insert a needle into the entry site according to the direction of the pointer, by just viewing the pointer, without the needle being constrained by the pointer. The guide may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the indicator element with respect to the device, when the guide is attached to the device; the adjustment mechanism moves the indicator element, without changing an orientation of the pointer, in a direction approximately parallel to a plane that is approximately tangent with an apex of the device transducer surface and approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a main body and a disposable cartridge. The main body includes a imaging device attachment, wherein the imaging device attachment is utilized to secure an image capturing instrument to the main body; a cartridge carrier coupled to the imaging device attachment, wherein the cartridge carrier is adjustable to achieve a target insertion depth; and a first motor coupled to the cartridge carrier, wherein the first motor adjust the cartridge carrier to achieve the target insertion depth. The disposable cartridge is attached to the cartridge carrier and houses a sheath, needle, or guidewire to be inserted into the vessel to the target insertion depth.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a reusable handheld device and a disposable cartridge. The reusable handheld device includes a imaging device attachment utilized to secure an image capturing instrument, an arm coupled to the imaging device attachment, and a depth scale coupled to the arm, wherein the depth scale provides a scale indicating an insertion depth. The disposable cartridge attaches to the reusable handheld device. The disposable cartridge includes a sheath, needle or guidewire coupled to the disposable cartridge. The sheath or needle extends to the insertion depth when fully advanced, thereby allowing the sheath, needle, or guidewire to access the lumen of a vessel.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a first radiographic image acquirer for acquiring a first radiographic image captured in the scout image capturing process, a second radiographic image acquirer for acquiring a plurality of second radiographic images captured in the stereographic image capturing process, a first display controller for displaying the first radiographic image on a display unit, and a second display controller for displaying the second radiographic images on the display unit and, in case that the biopsy region is selected in the displayed first radiographic image, displaying, in the second radiographic images, respective guide lines passing through positions in the second radiographic images which correspond to the position of the biopsy region selected in the first radiographic image and extending parallel to or substantially parallel to a prescribed direction.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe comprises an ultrasonic transducer section in which a plural of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a row in the scanning direction, an acoustic lens and a low attenuation medium, and further comprises a probe shell housing the ultrasonic transducer section, acoustic lens, and low attenuation medium. In the probe shell, the low attenuation medium is located at the top end (contact surface with a subject to be examined) of the ultrasonic probe, and the low attenuation medium, acoustic lens, and ultrasonic transducer section are located in order. In this way, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer section are converged by the acoustic lens and transmitted outside the probe shell through the low attenuation medium. The reflection waves from the subject to be examined are received by the ultrasonic transducer section through the low attenuation medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device is provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe configured to acquire an echo signal by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a test object, a probe identification part configured to identify information about a position and orientation of the ultrasonic probe, a biopsy needle identification part configured to identify information about a position and orientation of a biopsy needle to be inserted into the test object, and a control part which controls at least one of two processes based on positional relations between the ultrasonic probe and the biopsy needle, the positional relations identified by the information from the probe identification part and the information from the biopsy needle identification part, wherein one of the two processes is the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves, and the other of the two processes is data processing based on the echo signal.

Abstract: An endoventricular injection catheter with integrated echocardiographic capability enables injections into heart tissue under visualization. The catheter includes an elongated body having a distal end and an imaging core arranged to be inserted into a heart. The imaging core is arranged to transmit ultrasonic energy and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy at the distal end to provide electrical signals representing echocardiographic images to enable cardiac visualization. The catheter further includes an injector carried on the elongated body with the imaging core. The injector is arranged to inject a therapeutic agent into tissue of the heart visualized by the imaging core.

Abstract: An intraluminal endoscope inserting method according to the present invention is a method of forming a first opening in a wall of a first luminal organ while observing optical and ultrasonic images formed by an ultrasonic endoscope inserted into a first luminal organ through a natural opening, forming a second opening in a wall of a desired second luminal organ adjacent to the first luminal organ through an abdominal cavity space from the first opening, leading the ultrasonic endoscope into a second luminal organ from a second opening and performing observation and treatment, and after the treatment and the like, stitching the openings. This makes it possible to insert the endoscope with a skill same as that required for a normal endoscope test and makes it easy to insert the endoscope even into luminal organs irregularly connected to with one another in a body cavity.

Abstract: An excisional device may comprise an introducer comprising a distal trough portion and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may comprise an axial band element configured to selectively bow out of and away from the distal trough portion and to retract into the distal trough portion and a helical cutting element wound around the axial band element. A rotating drum may be provided to cause the cutting assembly to selectively rotate, bow and retract according to a mechanically-driven first cutting profile that is defined by a shape of a channel formed in the drum. An optical guidance projector assembly may be coupled to the excisional device and may be configured to visually indicate when a distal portion of the excisional device is aligned with an imaging plane of an imaging probe and in a desired position.

Abstract: A compact ultrasound needle guidance system and method of use is described. The needle guidance system has components to adjustably target a needle's destination in the plane of a two-dimensional ultrasound image before insertion of a needle into a patient. Needle movement is tracked using a position detector that provides a visual display of the needle path on the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: A tissue puncture assembly includes an ultrasound probe, a tissue puncture device, and an adjustment device. The ultrasound probe includes a probe end arranged to contact a tissue surface, the ultrasound probe being operable to determine a depth of a body cavity positioned below the tissue surface. The tissue puncture device is configured to penetrate the tissue surface to gain access to the body cavity. The adjustment device is mounted to the ultrasound probe and operable to adjust an orientation of the tissue puncture device relative to the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe system for guiding introduction of an instrument into a patient includes a disk having a surface and an open channel passing axially through the disk and at least two ultrasound transducer elements disposed on the surface of the disk in a parallel arrangement. The open channel is configured to receive the instrument therethrough to permit alignment of the instrument with respect to the disk. Each of the ultrasound transducer elements is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves for detecting an anatomical structure. A graphical representation of at least a portion of the anatomical structure can be provided for guiding the introduction or insertion of the instrument into the anatomical structure.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe structure dedicated for guiding the puncture needle. It has a passage in the center of the structure and the diameter of the passage is equal to the outer diameter of puncture needle. The bony and non-bony tissues can be distinguished according to the strength of the echoes so that the puncture needle can be guided to avoid hitting the bony tissue before or during insertion.

Abstract: An apparatus for volumetric ultrasound imaging of a breast using different modes, including transmission, reflection and the speed of sound, which apparatus comprises a negatively pressurized breast imaging cup with integrated ultrasound transducers and an ultrasound coupling mechanism; an ultrasound system comprising the apparatus; and a method of imaging a breast in three dimensions without moving the ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: An indicator element of a percutaneous needle guide for a medical scanning device includes a pointer for pointing to a percutaneous needle entry site on an epidermis of a body, when the guide is attached to the device and the device is positioned over the epidermis for scanning. A user may orient and insert a needle into the entry site according to the direction of the pointer, by just viewing the pointer, without the needle being constrained by the pointer. The guide may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the indicator element with respect to the device, when the guide is attached to the device; the adjustment mechanism moves the indicator element, without changing an orientation of the pointer, in a direction approximately parallel to a plane that is approximately tangent with an apex of the device transducer surface and approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus for facilitating ultrasound-assisted needle placement for drug delivery includes an ultrasound probe cover adapted to receive an ultrasound probe, the cover comprising a first wall and a needle guide associated with the first wall, the needle guide comprising an element adapted to guide a needle into a patient adjacent the cover.

Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface. Additional embodiments disclose various probe cap and accompanying needle guide designs for use in assisting a clinician with ultrasound probe use and needle insertion into a patient.

Abstract: The invention includes a probe for imaging tissue within a body cavity. The probe includes a housing which has a first substantially narrow elongate distal portion insertable into a body cavity, and a second elongate portion proximal of the first elongate portion. The narrow distal portion houses a transducer which is longitudinally translatable and rotatable relative thereto. The second elongate portion houses a platform assembly and a movable member. The platform assembly includes a transmission system and a frame, both of which are coupled to the transducer by at least one connector such that rotational movement of the platform assembly within the second elongate portion effectuates rotation of the transducer within the first elongate portion, and translational movement of the moveable member within the second elongate portion effectuates translational movement of the transducer within the first elongate portion. The probe is used with a needle assembly and delivery system.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for probe connector that is connected to a shaft of the probe connector, includes a door and a drive assembly for releasing or locking the probe connector by opening and closing of the door.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer cover (100) includes a base (202), including an acoustically transmissive membrane (110) with first and second opposing sides. The cover further includes walls (204, 206) protruding from the base in a same direction away from the first side of the base, forming a cavity about the acoustically transmissive membrane with a geometry that conforms to a geometry of a probe head of an ultrasound apparatus housing a transducer array and a corresponding acoustic window. The cover further includes an acoustically transmissive adhesive (108) disposed on the membrane in the cavity, wherein the acoustically transmissive adhesive maintains the cover on the ultrasound apparatus in response to installing the cover on the ultrasound apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where a non-reusable needle guide, which is relatively inexpensive which grasps the sheathed bracket firm, and holds the same in a set position based upon a bullet-nose lock.

Abstract: Ultrasonic image guidance of a transcutaneous invasive procedure such as a needle biopsy is conducted by placing an imaging probe above but laterally to one side of a mass to be biopsied. The image region of the probe is then laterally steered in the elevation direction to image the site of the mass to the side of the probe. The mass can then be accessed by needle insertion from immediately above the mass and away from interference with the probe. Preferably the probe has a 2D array transducer so that the image guidance can be viewed in real time three dimensional imaging.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor has two or more ultrasonic arrays disposed on a probe surface, and a delay control unit that controls a transmission angle of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. The ultrasonic arrays have a linear array structure in which a plurality of ultrasonic elements are arranged in a linear scanning direction, and the delay control unit controls the timing for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic elements and controls the transmission angle of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. Two of the ultrasonic arrays have linear scanning directions that are different from each other and are arranged in positions that are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing an optimal ultrasound image for interventional treatment in a medical system are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, a medical system comprises: a medical device that is inserted into a target object and configured to remove a lesion within the target object; an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from the target object to output ultrasound data; and a processing unit in communication with the ultrasound data acquisition unit, the processing unit being configured to form a plurality of ultrasound images based on the ultrasound data and perform an image processing upon each of the ultrasound images to detect a position of the medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in performing imaging a region of a patient's body including a first imaging system for acquiring first imaging information including a first region of interest using a first imaging modality, a second imaging system for acquiring second imaging information including a second region of interest using a second imaging modality, a first drive system for selectively moving at least a portion of one of the first and second imaging systems relative to an imaging reference frame, wherein the first drive system is operative to move one of the first and second imaging systems independent of movement of the other of the first and second imaging systems.

Abstract: A novel ultrasound device for needle procedures is disclosed that comprises a needle with an integrated ultrasound transducer. The transducer may be part of a drop-in, self contained beacon unit that fits within the needle shaft. The transducer may alternatively include electrical leads connectable to an electrical subsystem housed within an adapter that is connectable to a handle. Alternatively, the electrical subsystem may be housed within a handle connectable to the needle by a bayonet-mount configuration, a slide-and-click configuration, or a cartridge configuration. The electrical subsystem is preferably configured to control when the transducer emits an ultrasound pulse. The handle may include all or part of a vacuum means for applying negative pressure to tissue disposed near a tissue sample aperture.

Abstract: A biopsy system is disclosed that has a tissue removal system, an imaging system, an image display system and a common input console for these systems. The tissue removal system can have a mechanical tissue cutting blade or an electrosurgical cutting element and the tissue removal system is capable of handling both tissue cutting configurations. The imaging system is preferably an ultrasound imaging system and the image display system has a video screen for displaying diagnostic ultrasound images from an ultrasound probe. The common input console preferably has a touch screen display and a keyboard to facilitate operation of the tissue removal system, the ultrasound imaging system and the image display system from the same console.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medical needle comprising a needle shaft that defines a longitudinal axis, a tip formed at one end of the shaft, and an ultrasonic reflector formed in an outer surface of the needle shaft. The reflector comprises a first reflector surface that is at an angle of no more than 35° to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and that faces towards the tip, and at least one additional reflector surface that forms an angle to the first reflector surface within the range of 75° to 105°, and that is substantially concave in a direction towards the first reflector surface.

Abstract: An endobronchial probe includes a deflector having a bore extending therethrough at an angle to its long axis for passage of a tool. The probe includes a location sensor and an ultrasound imager. A push-pull anchoring system comprises a plurality of guides and wires that can extend beyond the guides and retract within the guides. When extended the wires diverge from the long axis sufficiently to engage a bronchus. The probe includes a balloon disposed on the distal segment contralateral to bore that when inflated urges the mouth of the bore into contact with the bronchial wall.

Abstract: Delivery systems, and methods using the same, having an ultrasound viewing window for improved imaging and a needle for ablation treatment of target tissues. In an embodiment, the target tissue is a fibroid within a female's uterus. In an embodiment, the delivery system includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial passage extending through the rigid shaft. In an embodiment, the axial passage is configured for removably receiving the ultrasound imaging insert having an ultrasound array disposed a distal portion.

Abstract: Needle guide systems for a sonography device are disclosed. The needle guide systems include both fixed and adjustable needle guides. In one embodiment, the needle guide includes a needle guide body that is rotatably mounted to a probe of a sonography device. A plurality of needle channels is disposed on a surface of the needle guide body. Each needle channel can be selectively rotated into position to guide a needle into a body of a patient at a predetermined needle insertion angle. If another needle insertion angle is desired, the needle guide is rotated to place a new needle channel defining the desired needle insertion angle into position.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe, a location sensor that detects a location of the ultrasound probe, and a location calculation device configured to calculate a location of echo data in a first three-dimensional coordinate system having a certain point as an origin based on the probe location. A deformation calculation device performs a deformation calculation to deform a shape of the body tissue in either an ultrasound image or a medical image captured by a medical imaging apparatus other than the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to a shape of the body tissue of the other image. A display image control device performs a coordinate conversion between the coordinate system of the ultrasound image and a coordinate system of the medical image and displays a deformed image based on the deformation calculation and the other image about a same cross-section on a display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs a transmission ultrasound toward a subject and a received signal obtained by receiving a reflected ultrasound from the subject, a transmission unit, a receiving unit and a puncture needle position detection unit which obtains a puncture needle echo information indicating an angle and a position of the puncture needle from the plane-wave received signal, and an ultrasound image is displayed on the basis of the received signal, the transmission unit applies the driving signal to the ultrasound probe so that a plane-wave transmission ultrasound is output from the ultrasound probe, and the receiving unit receives a plane-wave received signal which is obtained in such a way that the plane-wave transmission ultrasound is transmitted from the ultrasound probe, reflected by a puncture needle to be the reflected ultrasound and received by the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer equipped with a position marker and a needle equipped with a position marker. The position markers allow the position and orientation of the transducer and needle to be determined. Displays indicating a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and displays indicating a projection of a reference position onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer are provided. Displays indicating in real-time whether the needle is substantially within the plane of the ultrasound image are provided.

Abstract: An medical device guide system includes a probe configured for imaging portions of a patient's body, a first guide connector extending from a first surface of the probe, the first guide connector including a first mounting surface, and a guide removably mountable to the first guide connector. The guide may include a first cavity shaped to receive the first mounting surface and a first channel disposed on a top surface of the guide opposite the first cavity, the first channel angled at a first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the probe and configured to guide a medical device to a targeted depth in the patient's body.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy device includes a tubular member having a window near a distal tip thereof; a cutting tool, a distal end of the cutting tool being attached near the distal tip of the tubular member, at least a distal portion of the cutting tool being configured to selectively bow out of the window and to retract within the window; and a tissue collection device externally attached at least to the tubular member, the tissue collection device collecting tissue excised by the cutting tool as the biopsy device is rotated and the cutting tool is bowed.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical probe devices and methods for use guiding of percutaneous probes during medical procedures. The probe devices include a clamp that can secure a probe at a targeted location. The devices can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a percutaneous target. Disclosed clamps can be utilized on probe devices incorporating an ultrasound transducer. In addition, the devices can include a sterilizable shield including a sterile probe guide for use in procedures requiring a sterile field. The sterilizable shield can be a single-use shield that can prevent contamination and re-use of the shield. The devices can define a beneficial geometry conducive to use by a single operator that can be utilized for percutaneous targets near the skin surface.

Abstract: A needle guide for an ultrasound guidance system. The needle guide may be included as part of a sterile kit for an ultrasound probe. The kit includes a shell and a sheath which form a sterile cover for the ultrasound probe. The needle guide is used to guide a needle into a body using the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A biopsy probe mechanism includes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and having a sample receiving notch. An elongate sample receiving member and a cutting cannula are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis between a first relative position and a second relative position. A first echogenic feature is established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature is established on the cutting cannula. The first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the first relative position. The first echogenic feature is out of longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the second relative position.

Abstract: A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis.