Handheld Ultrasound Device with Replaceable Sterile Tips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld Doppler ultrasound devices cannot be used entirely within sterile environments, such as operating rooms, due to their design requiring a non-sterile connection and necessitating a second operator, which poses safety and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A handheld ultrasound device with a self-contained handle and tip, where the entire device or just the tip can be sterile, allowing for single-patient use or re-sterilization, and featuring a sterile barrier or sheath for use in sterile fields, eliminating the need for a separate operator and reducing tripping hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate probe is connected to the enclosure via a cable, then the device can function as a handheld ultrasound system, but the cord becomes a tripping hazard and requires a second operator in sterile environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the probe and enclosure into a single integrated handheld device. The transducer assembly is permanently coupled to the housing, eliminating the need for a separate cable connection. This integration removes the tripping hazard while maintaining full ultrasound functionality in a portable format that can be safely operated in sterile environments by a single operator.
2Ease of operation
If a separate probe is connected to the enclosure via a cable, then the device can function as a handheld ultrasound system, but a second operator is required to operate the device in sterile fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all necessary ultrasound components (transducer, electronics, power source, and display) into a single handheld unit. This integration allows one operator to control the entire system from within the sterile field, eliminating the need for a second operator to manage separate components outside the sterile area.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device is designed to be self-contained with an integrated power source and control system. The device can be autonomously operated by a single user within the sterile field without requiring external power connections or assistance from additional operators, enabling independent operation in surgical environments.
3Reliability
If the device is designed with a separate probe and enclosure, then the components can be individually sterilized, but the device cannot be used entirely within the sterile field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a fully integrated handheld device where the transducer assembly and housing form a single unit that can be sterilized together. This design allows the entire device to be processed as one sterile component, enabling complete use within the sterile field without requiring separate sterilization protocols for different parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer assembly is enveloped in a sterile barrier that maintains sterility while allowing the device to function within the sterile field. This barrier approach enables the handheld device to maintain sterile integrity throughout use in surgical environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient use of Doppler ultrasound in sterile environments by providing a fully self-contained, sterile handheld device that can be operated by a single person, reducing the risk of contamination and improving operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
Doppler ultrasound may be used in surgical and clinical settings to assess the strength and pattern of blood flowing through vessels. When the ultrasound waves encounter flowing blood, they are reflected at a shifted frequency that varies with the velocity of the blood.
Implementation Method 2
A transducer probe or sensor translates electrical signals into waves of ultrasound at a specific frequency.
Data Source
AI summary
Handheld ultrasound devices and replaceable tips for such devices are provided. For example, a handheld ultrasound device comprises a handle and a tip that includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. The handle and the tip may be a single, integral, unit or the tip may be separable from the handle. In either embodiment, the handle and tip together are a fully self-contained unit. Also provided are handheld ultrasound sterile assemblies, comprising a handheld ultrasound device and a sheath that fully covers the device to provide a sterile barrier for the device. Further, tips for handheld ultrasound devices are provided. The tips may be a replaceable component of the handheld ultrasound devices. For example, the tips may be configured for one-time use, and the tip rather than the entire handheld ultrasound device may be replaced between procedures such that a new tip is used in a subsequent procedure.