Patent ID: 7452331
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An improved medical instrument guiding apparatus for use with a medical imaging transceiver assembly, the medical instrument guiding apparatus comprising: a medical imaging transceiver comprising a proximal handle end and a distal signal transmission end and an axis generally orthogonal with respect to said distal signal transmission end, which axis defines a transmission direction; a base, comprising a back portion and a stationary stop which is disposed at said back portion, said base detachably coupled to said medical imaging transceiver between said handle end and said signal transmission end; a pivoting member which is pivotable with respect to said base; said stationary stop and said pivoting member are configured so as to define an instrument gap between said stationary stop and said pivoting member and further configured to permit removal of an instrument from said instrument gap by pulling said back portion of said base away from said instrument, through an enlarged instrument gap; said stationary stop and said pivoting member further configured to define said instrument gap as a longitudinal instrument gap which is offset from the axis and angled with respect to the axis and the transmission direction; and said stationary stop and said pivoting member further configured to define a variably sized instrument gap which increases to accommodate larger diameter instruments when said pivoting member is pivoted.