Support for a portable ultrasound device

Abstract

Support for a portable ultrasound device. This support for a portable ultrasound device is characterized by containing a support arch, a channel, a spring-supported channel, a clamp, a thermoplastic elastomer rubber clamp, and a base. All these components together form the support that will assist in handling the ultrasound device without it slipping. The upper arch is connected to the pair of channels at the ends through cuts reflecting the geometry of the channel's cross-section. Springs are positioned on this fitting, constantly pushing the support downwards, ensuring that when the device is fitted to the chest, it remains flush against it and does not shift.

Description

Support for a portable ultrasound device Field of invention

[001] The following descriptive report for an invention model refers to a support for a portable ultrasound device, which will be attached to the patient's body, so that the mobile device, which is directly connected to a cell phone, can be used. This device transmits high-resolution images of the internal parts of the body in a safer way, with the aim of using ultrasound during resuscitation maneuvers in case of cardiopulmonary arrest, thus preventing the ultrasound from slipping due to the conductive gel on the patient's body. Being a mobile device, it must be handled manually by a technician or the doctor themselves. Fundamentals of the invention

[002] Refers to a support that assists in the use of a mobile ultrasound device.

[003] During the resuscitation procedure, the doctor experiences discomfort handling the equipment, as the device keeps sliding and falling from the area where internal visualization should be performed (the region between the chest and abdomen). This occurs due to the significant movement of the patient's body, making it difficult to fix the measuring area of ​​the device to the body, in addition to the viscous liquid used to facilitate contact between the ultrasound and the skin. The turbidity present in the ultrasound image if it is not properly stabilized was also a motivation for carrying out the project. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows the complete support. Figure 2 shows the claw support that is part of Figure 1, where it connects one channel to another. Petition 870200113374, dated 08 / 09 / 2020, page 5 / 29 / 4 Figure 3 shows a detail of the channel located on the sides of the support shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows the base of the support. Figure 5 shows in detail the claw located in the middle of the support shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 6 shows the support assembled in the way it will be used. Figure 7 presents the study of Von Mises stress, which is the set of various types of stress present in the support. Figure 8 presents the study of Deformation, which is the distortion in the original shape of the support caused by the action of external forces. Figure 9 presents the study of the safety factor, which is the ratio between the maximum force supported by the support and the force applied in the simulation. Figure 1 shows how the claw support was made. Drawing 2 shows how the gutter was made. Figure 3 shows how the claw was made and its dimensions. Figure 4 shows the size and shape of the spring. Drawing 5 shows the spring support with its dimensions. Drawing 6 shows the shape and dimensions of the base. Description of the invention

[004] This is a portable ultrasound support consisting of three main structures: a base formed by an extruded arch with a smooth surface, a pair of spring-loaded rails, and an upper support formed by an extrusion whose surface has the geometry of three arches, a main one in the middle to be fitted to the chest and two smaller ones on the sides to be fitted to the arms. The upper support is connected to Petition 870200113374, dated 09 / 08 / 2020, p. 6 / 29 / 4 pair of channels at the ends through cuts reflecting the geometry of the channel's cross-section, on this fitting are the springs that constantly push the support down, causing the piece, when fitted to the thorax, to be flush with it and not suffer displacements. Therefore, the upper support connected to the channels forms the upper assembly and this assembly, in turn, will be fitted to the base. The gripper that controls the device is a simple press, two extruded arcs fitted oppositely in the center of the upper support and pushed against each other via springs.

[005] The aforementioned gripper has a rubber ring where the ultrasound probe will be inserted. This ring is glued to two extrusions of an arc with an inner radius equal to that of the ring. These extrusions are glued to the same half of the ring and are connected to each other by a spring, and each extrusion is connected to the upper support, also by springs. The rubber ring will be where the device will be placed; due to its elastic nature, it can be stretched to accommodate different ultrasound probe models, while the extrusions glued to it exert pressure on the device through the spring assembly, which allows it to be stabilized. The extrusions are connected to a shaft or another system in the upper support. This system consists of a radial channel along which the device can be moved radially horizontally, while the spring is connected to rotating shafts allowing non-vertical radial movement.

[006] Furthermore, it is important to mention that the present invention uses materials chosen for the manufacture of the ultrasound support, which may contain low or high cost materials presented respectively on each component, which are a support arch which may be made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene - ABS or Polycarbonate - PC, a trough which may be made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene - ABS or Polycarbonate - PC, a spring-trough support which may be made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene - ABS or Polycarbonate - PC, a clamp which may be made of Polylactic Acid - PLA or Polypropylene - PP, a rubber clamp made of Thermoplastic Elastomer and a base which may be made of Polyacrylene Terephthalate Ethylene Glycol PETG or Nylon / Carbon Fiber.

[007] Thus, all dimensions of the support are shown in drawings 1 to 6, all in millimeters. Petition 870200113374, dated 08 / 09 / 2020, page 7 / 29 / 4 Examples of embodiments of the invention

[008] In carrying out the stress simulation study, it was necessary to define all the properties of the materials used in the construction of the prototype, since the simulation is done virtually imitating the processes or operations of the real world, thus the materials used in the construction of the prototype were TPE (in the inner ring of the gripper), Polycarbonate (upper arc, channels and spring support in the channels), Polypropylene (gripper) and PETG (lower arc).

[009] The most relevant added feature was the yield strength of PETG (51 MPa). In addition, the strength limits of the parts are tested in simulations; in this case, a static simulation was performed, making it possible to obtain various information about the support. A weight of 196.2 N (equivalent to 20 kg) was considered on the upper arch (simulating an excessive mass that would hardly be applied), and the resistance of a patient's body, which would exert normal force and reduce the tension on the arch, was disregarded. On the lower arch, a weight of 392.4 N (equivalent to 40 kg) was simulated.

[0010] Therefore, after defining the technical parameters used for the evaluation, a stress analysis was performed using the 3D mechanical CAD software SolidWorks® in the static analysis feature. Studies were conducted on: Stress, Displacement, Strain, and Safety Factor. Figure 7 shows the stress analysis on the lower arch, Figure 8 shows the strain analysis on the lower arch, and Figure 9 shows the safety factor analysis of the lower arch (392.4 N).

[0011] It withstood the load placed upon it, allowing the conclusion that the device is fit for use, however, it is important to emphasize that excesses should be avoided during its use on the upper arch and that the lower arch also withstands normal use well.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. SUPPORT FOR A PORTABLE ULTRASOUND DEVICE characterized by being configured to be fixed to a patient's chest during cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers, characterized by comprising: - An upper support arch intended to rest on the patient's thoracic region; - A pair of rails arranged on opposite sides of the upper support arch; - A base intended to rest on the patient's body; - A portable ultrasound device fixation assembly, comprising a rigid gripper and an elastic ring element configured to enclose the portable ultrasound device and hold it attached to the gripper;(e) At least one spring disposed between the upper support arch and the rails, in a region of engagement between these components, wherein the springs exert, in use, an elastic force that pushes the upper support arch towards the patient's chest, keeping the support pressed against the chest and stabilizing the portable ultrasound device, so as to reduce or prevent its slippage in the presence of coupling gel and movements resulting from chest compressions.

2. A SUPPORT FOR A PORTABLE ULTRASOUND DEVICE, according to Claim 1, characterized by containing an elastic rubber clamp that can be stretched to accommodate various ultrasound models.

3. SUPPORT FOR A PORTABLE ULTRASOUND DEVICE, according to Claim 1, characterized by containing a support arch that will be straight, as it ensures greater practicality when using the support on obese patients.

4. SUPPORT FOR A PORTABLE ULTRASOUND DEVICE, according to Claim 1, characterized by containing a channel where the device can be moved radially horizontally. Petition 870260046193, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 5 / 15 2 / 2 5. SUPPORT FOR A PORTABLE ULTRASOUND DEVICE, according to Claim 1, characterized by containing a spring-loaded support where the rubber ring is placed between two extrusions of an arc with an inner radius equal to that of the ring and are connected to each other by means of a spring, each extrusion being connected to the upper support, also by springs.

6. SUPPORT FOR A PORTABLE ULTRASOUND DEVICE, according to Claim 1, characterized by containing a spring which is connected to rotating shafts allowing radial and not vertical movement.

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