Sherry L Powell

US Patent:

54027934, Apr 4, 1995

Filed:

Nov 19, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/155416

Inventors:

George P. Gruner - Mukilteo WA
John D. Fraser - Woodinville WA
Loc Nguyen - Bothell WA
Sherry Powell - Maple Valley WA
Timothy R. Savage - Redmond WA

Assignee:

Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc. - Bothell WA

International Classification:

A61B 812

US Classification:

1286601

Abstract:

A multiplane TEE probe is provided in which rotation of the ultrasonic transducer is motor controlled. The motor is controlled to rotate the transducer either clockwise or counterclockwise, and at either a high rotational speed or a low rotational speed. The motor is also automatically controlled to drive the transducer to a predetermined home position. The transducer tip of the probe is detachably connected to the gastroscope tube. An aluminum sheet is embedded in the acoustic lens in front of the transducer to dissipate heat which accumulates in the lens. The gastroscope tube includes an articulating section formed of a plurality of matching cylindrical links which form alternating pivot axes from one link to the next. The pivot range of each link with respect to an adjoining link is controlled by opposing limit stops orthogonally located with respect to the pivot points of the links. Preferably the limit stops are formed by a plurality of opposing and meshing fingers to provide the articulating section with high torsional stability.

US Patent:

55558879, Sep 17, 1996

Filed:

Jan 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/370275

Inventors:

John D. Fraser - Woodinville WA
Loc Nguyen - Bothell WA
Sherry Powell - Maple Valley WA

Assignee:

Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc. - Bothell WA

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

12866301

Abstract:

A multiplane TEE probe is provided in which an aluminum sheet is embedded in the acoustic lens in front of the transducer to dissipate heat which accumulates in the lens. The embedded aluminum foil sheet in front of the transducer helps reduce such heat buildup by spreading out heat which develops at hot spots and conducting the heat trapped in the lens material to a heatsink mass behind the transducer and away from the patient contacting surface of the probe. A mylar sheet covers the front of the transducer. The inner surface of the mylar sheet is aluminized. This aluminum layer in the inner surface of the cover serves a like purpose.