Ultrasound Device for Probe Guidance and Sterilizable Shield for Same

Abstract

Disclosed are medical probe devices and methods for use guiding of percutaneous probes during medical procedures. The probe devices include an ultrasound transducer housing having a passage therethrough configured to accommodate a probe. The devices can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a percutaneous target with real time visualization of the probe during the procedure. In addition, the devices can include a sterilizable shield including a sterile probe guide such that the transducer housing itself can be separated from a subject by a sterile barrier. The sterilizable shield can be a single-use shield that can prevent contamination and re-use of the shield. The devices can define a beneficial geometry conducive to use by a single operator that can be utilized for percutaneous targets near the skin surface and can enable excellent contact between the device and the skin surface of a subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical probe device comprising
 a first portion comprising an ultrasound transducer housing;   a second portion, the second portion defining at least a portion of a probe guide for passage of a probe therethrough, the probe guide providing an unimpeded passageway through the medical probe device, the second portion being removably attachable to the first portion;   a detector for detecting motion of a probe within the probe guide, the detector being in communication with a processor for displaying information concerning the motion or position of the probe within the probe guide.   
     
     
         2 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sterilizable shield for encasing at least a portion of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The medical probe device of  claim 2 , the first portion defining a first surface, the ultrasound transducer being located in the first portion such that an ultrasonic beam issued from the ultrasound transducer is emitted from the first surface, wherein the sterilizable shield encases the first surface of the first portion and remaining surfaces of the first portion are not encased by the sterilizable shield. 
     
     
         4 . The medical probe device of  claim 2 , wherein the sterilizable shield encases the entire first portion, the second portion being directly or indirectly removably attachable to the sterilizable shield. 
     
     
         5 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , the first portion defining a skin contacting surface, wherein the second portion does not contact the skin of a subject when the skin contacting surface of the first portion is in contact with the subject's skin. 
     
     
         6 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , wherein the information is displayed as an image of a virtual probe on a monitor in communication with the processor. 
     
     
         7 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is integral to the first portion. 
     
     
         8 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the probe guide is defined by the first portion and a portion of the probe guide is defined by the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , wherein the entire probe guide is defined by the second portion. 
     
     
         10 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is sterile. 
     
     
         11 . The medical probe device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises multiple removably attachable pieces. 
     
     
         12 . The medical probe device of  claim 11 , wherein one of the removably attachable pieces is a clamp. 
     
     
         13 . A method for guiding a probe to a percutaneous target comprising
 attaching a first portion of a medical probe device to a second portion of the medical probe device, the first portion comprising an ultrasound transducer housing and the second portion defining at least a portion of a probe guide for passage of a probe therethrough, the probe guide providing an unimpeded passageway through the medical probe device, the second portion being removably attachable to the first portion;   passing a probe through the probe guide to a percutaneous target;   detecting motion of the probe within the probe guide, the detector being in communication with a processor; and   displaying information concerning the motion or position of the probe within the probe guide.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising encasing at least a portion of the device with a sterilizable shield. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion does not contact the skin of a subject during use and the probe exits the probe guide at a distance from the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising forming an image of a virtual probe on a monitor in communication with the processor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the complete probe guide is formed only upon attachment of the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion is sterile. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising combining multiple removably attachable pieces to form the second portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising clamping the probe in the probe guide when the probe guide is at the percutaneous target.