Abstract:
A support apparatus for a medical device is provided. The support apparatus comprises a hollow body having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface defining a channel extending through the body along an axis, and at least two opposing wings coupled to the outer surface of the body and extending generally perpendicular to the axis, wherein channel is adapted to releasably receive the medical device and support the device in a fixed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a holder for a medical device such as an ultrasound probe. 
         [0002]    Performing diagnostic ultrasonography requires manual dexterity of the probe. The probe is generally tethered to a cord which is secured to a distant device, such as a monitor or a computer base. The cord must remain flexible enough to allow for full rotation of the probe to enable full visualization, while also maintaining the sterile environment. Procedures often require the operator to manipulate both the probe, or other necessary sterile equipment, and the patient at the same time. 
         [0003]    Conventional holders used in ultrasonography are often suspended over the patient. These holders not only may interfere with the operator&#39;s visual field, but they may also limit or block the operator&#39;s access to the patient field. Conventional holders also limit the flexibility of the probe and thereby inhibit rotation angle and/or manipulability of the probe. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment a support apparatus for a medical device is provided that includes a hollow body having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface defining a channel extending through the body along an axis. The support apparatus further includes at least two opposing wings coupled to the outer surface of the body and extending generally perpendicular to the axis, wherein the channel is adapted to releasably receive the medical device and support the device in a fixed position. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a support apparatus for an ultrasound probe is provided that includes a hollow body having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface defining a channel and an axis therethrough. The support apparatus further includes a wing, integrally coupled to the outer surface of the body, and extending generally perpendicular to the axis, wherein the channel is adapted to releasably receive and support the ultrasound probe in a fixed position. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, an ultrasound probe support apparatus is provided that includes a hollow body that is generally dome shaped and comprises a flexible material, and wherein the body has an inner surface that defines a channel and an axis therethrough. The support apparatus further includes at least one wing coupled to the body, wherein the channel is adapted to receive and maintain the ultrasound probe in a fixed position. 
         [0008]    Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a holder in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an bottom view of a holder in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a holder in accordance with an alternate embodiment; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of a holder engaging an ultrasound probe in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cross sectional view of a holder  10  is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The holder  10  will hereinafter be described as a holder for use with healthcare devices such as ultrasound probes. It should be appreciated, however, that other types of healthcare devices which are required to stay in contact or close proximity with the surface of a human or animal body may be envisioned for use with the holder  10 . 
         [0015]    In accordance with an embodiment, the holder  10  comprises a body  12  and wings  14 ,  16 . The holder  10  is preferably generally elliptical in shape; however, other geometries are also envisioned. For example, the holder  10  may also be generally round or a quadrilateral to accommodate devices of various shapes. The holder  10  may be comprised of a lightweight and flexible material that is also durable and which preferably has a smooth and seamless outer surface for sterilization purposes. One such material is an elastomer such as silicone rubber that may be cast to the desired shape in a single piece using a mold. It should also be appreciated that the holder  10  may be disposable. 
         [0016]    The body  12  is flexible, and generally dome shaped; however, other geometries are also envisioned. The body  12  defines a channel  18  and an axis A-A therethrough. The body  12  comprises a first (lower) surface  20 , a second (inner) surface  22  and a third (outer) surface  24  (with the references to lower, inner and outer being relative to a supine patient). The first surface  20  is generally planar, but flexible in order to drape onto the contours of a patient (not shown). 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a bottom view of the holder  10  is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The first surface  20  is of a similar shape to that of the body  12 . When the holder  10  is in use, the first surface  20  will be in contact with the patient forming a seal between the holder  10  and the patient. For purposes of this disclosure, the term seal is preferably defined to include any fastening or interface between two materials that prevents escape or entrance of a fluid, and the term fluid is preferably defined to include any substance that continually deforms under an applied shear stress and may therefore include both liquids and gases. It is preferable that the seal be hermetic or airtight, however, it should be appreciated that other types of seals are also envisioned. It should also be appreciated that the device may be rigid enough to maintain the probe in the desired position without first surface  20  forming a seal between the holder  10  and the patient. 
         [0018]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the second and third surfaces  22 ,  24  are generally domed in geometry. The second and third  22 ,  24  surfaces are preferably spaced between about 2 to 7 and millimeters apart, and most preferably about 3 millimeters apart. It should also be appreciated that the thickness between second and third  22 ,  24  surfaces may not be consistent within a single body  12 , and instead may vary. For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , at edge  50  the second and third  22 ,  24  surfaces may be spaced 2 millimeters apart and the thickness increases to  4  millimeters at edge  52 . The first and third surfaces  20 ,  24  may have similar or different dimensions. When the holder  10  is in use, the second surface  22  will not be in contact with the patient. The second surface  22  defines a hollow  23 . 
         [0019]    The wings  14 ,  16  extend outward from the body  12 , generally perpendicular to axis A-A. In the depicted embodiment, the wings  14 ,  16  are integrally coupled to the body  12 . However, it should be appreciated that the wings  14 ,  16  may also be detachably coupled to the body. This allows the operator to select wings of appropriate size or scale for the particular patient. Alternatively, the user may trim the wings  14 ,  16  with scissors, for example, to achieve the appropriate size or scale. 
         [0020]    Also, in the depicted embodiment, the holder  10  comprises two wings  14 ,  16 . The wings  14  and  16  are opposed and extend from the body  12  in order to stabilize the holder  10  when draped on a patient. However, it should also be appreciated that holder  10  may comprise more or fewer wings. Additionally, other arrangements of the wings  14 ,  16  are also envisioned. For example, a single wing  14  may extend uniformly about the circumference of body  12  for all 360 degrees. Alternatively, a plurality of visually distinct wings may extend about the circumference of body  12  at uniform or even irregular spacings. 
         [0021]    The wings  14 ,  16  preferably comprise a self-adhering, elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber, in order for the wings  14 ,  16  to naturally attach and cling to the patient. However, it should be appreciated that the wings could comprise any other material that would be lightweight, flexible and durable and which provides a suitable level of sterilization. 
         [0022]    In an alternate embodiment (not pictured), the wings  14 ,  16  may be comprised of a slightly rigid material and may be angularly or dome shaped in order to support the body  12  so that when the holder  10  is in use, the wings  14 ,  16  would not drape on the patient, but instead would extend over the patient and then contact the surface the patient is supported on, such as a patient table. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , one or both of the wings  14 ,  16  may also comprise a clip  17 . In the depicted embodiment, clip  17  is generally u-shaped and is adapted to releasably receive a power and/or communication cord  45  of an ultrasound probe  40 . It should be appreciated, however, that other embodiments of clip  17  are envisioned. For example, the clip could comprise a flap that may be secured about the ultrasound cord  45  with a button, snap or other closure device. The clip  17  allows for the cord  45  to be draped in a way to help support the probe  40  in the desired position, and also aids in keeping the operator&#39;s field of view toward the patient free of the cord  45 . It should also be appreciated that third surface  24  may also comprise a clip  17  (not pictured) in order to provide a path for the power and/or communication cord  45 . 
         [0024]    The channel  18  is sized and shaped to snuggly hold, for example, a medical device such as the probe  40 . The channel  18  extends from a top or distal most (relative to a supine patient) edge  50  to a bottom or proximal most edge  52 . The channel  18  is flexible, expandable and contractible. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the channel is elliptical in geometry when viewed looking toward the patient along axis A-A. It should be appreciated however, that other cross-sectional geometries are envisioned to accommodate devices of various shapes. For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , a top view of a holder  10 ′ is shown in accordance with an alternate embodiment comprising a star-shaped channel  38  having grooves  39  arranged radially about axis A-A. Grooves  39  allow for the ultrasound probe  40  (or other medical device) to be inserted into channel  18  in various orientations with respect to axis A-A. 
         [0025]    A method of using the holder  10  in connection with ultrasound scanning of a patient will now be described with reference to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . In this illustrative embodiment, the holder  10  is coupled to the patient and supports the ultrasound probe  40 . The method begins by an operator draping the holder  10  onto the patient so that the first surface  20  is in conforming contact with the patient&#39;s skin. Prior to or after draping the holder  10  onto the patient, the operator can apply ultrasound gel into hollow  23 , which is capable of functioning as the ultrasound coupling gel reservoir. Once containing gel, the hollow  23  allows for the automatic application and replenishment of gel against the skin of the patient as the holder  10  is slid across the skin to a new location during a repositioning of the probe  40 . 
         [0026]    To place the ultrasound probe  40  in the holder  10 , the operator pinches the outer surface  24  inwardly towards axis A-A and inserts the ultrasound probe  40  into the channel  18 . When the operator releases the outer surface  24 , the inner surface  22  contacts the probe  40 , and the probe  40  is maintained snuggly within the channel  18  by friction and/or constriction. Additionally this may generate a mild vacuum further supporting the probe  40  in the selected position. The operator may then apply downward pressure along axis A-A so that the tip  41  of the ultrasound probe extends past the plane of the lower surface  20 . 
         [0027]    As the operator scans the patient, the operator may keep the probe  40  upright along axis A-A or, instead, a distal end  43  of the probe  40  may be tilted with respect to axis A-A. To change the angle of the probe  40  with respect to axis A-A, the operator may pinch the outer surface  24  inwardly towards axis A-A, thereby creating a gap between the channel  18  and an outer surface of the probe  40  at one or more locations about its circumference. The operator will then reposition the probe  40  to the desired angle with respect to axis A-A. Once the probe has been placed at the desired angle with respect to axis A-A, the operator will release the outer surface  24 , whereby the inner surface  22  and channel  18  will again come into contact the probe  40 . When the channel  18  contacts the probe  40  around a sufficient extent of its outer surface, the holder  10  will maintain the position of the probe  40 . The operator may also pinch the outer surface  24  inwardly towards axis A-A in order to rotate the probe in channel  18  so as to orient the probe in an aligned way to a vessel or other organ structure or to obtain a cross sectional view. 
         [0028]    The holder  10  described in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  provides several benefits over current probe holders used in ultrasonography. For example, the holder  10  can maintain the position of the probe  40  even when the operator is not touching the probe  40  or the holder  10 , thereby supporting the probe  40  in an operational position to enhance clinical utility. Since the holder  10  rests upon the patient, it does not interfere with the operator&#39;s visual field, nor does it limit or block the operator&#39;s access to the patient field. Additionally, the hollow  23  defined by the lower surface  20  in conforming contact with the patient and the inner surface  22  of the holder  10 , provides a convenient reservoir for the ultrasonic gel at a discrete area on the patient. 
         [0029]    The holder  10  also improves the chances of a successful first procedure by freeing the users&#39; hand or hands for other purposes during the intended ultrasound procedure thereby reducing errors and waste. Further, the holder  10  allows an inexperienced user to more easily develop the motor skills required to hold the probe while performing a procedure, thereby making the device easier to teach and sell. 
         [0030]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.