Probe holder for ultrasound imaging device

Abstract

Systems and methods can include a system for positioning an ultrasound probe proximal to anatomy of a patient on a radiation couch including a substantially planar base including engagement features to directly or indirectly index the substantially planar base to the radiation couch and a centrally located guide extending longitudinally along a top side of the base, a probe holder, configured to be coupled to, to translate longitudinally, and to be user-accessed and user-controlled from within, a central region of the substantially planar base, a clamp, configured to localize the probe holder at a specified location along a translation path in the central region of the substantially planar base, leg supports shaped to accommodate a patient's legs from behind, the pair of leg supports being shaped and arranged to provide a space therebetween that can accommodate an ultrasound probe holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for using a probe holder for positioning an ultrasound probe at a specified location along a longitudinal translation path within a central region of a radiation couch or overlay thereupon, the central region being located between lateral regions that are arranged to be underlying a patient's legs, the method comprising:
 user-accessing and user-controlling, from within the central region, a probe holder for translating the probe longitudinally toward and away from a portion of the patient; and   clamping, from within the central region, the probe holder at a specified location along the translation path in the central region.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising rotating an actuator on a clamp to increase a frictional force associated with the probe holder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein translating the probe longitudinally includes using transversely outwardly facing protrusions to interface with corresponding longitudinal grooves. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein clamping comprises reducing a clearance within a groove. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  comprising automatically engaging or retaining the probe upon insertion onto the translation path and requiring user-activated release of the probe upon removal from the translation path. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the clamping comprises rotating a knob to engage a relatively elevated portion of a disc having a variable height. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising unclamping, from within the central region, the probe holder, the unclamping comprising rotating the knob to engage a relatively lower portion of the disc having a variable height 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the unclamping includes rotating the knob in an opposite direction as the rotating for clamping. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising fine-adjusting a longitudinal position of the probe holder along the translation path using a separate actuation from a gross-adjusting of the longitudinal position of the probe holder along the translation path. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the fine-adjusting is accessible from a side of the probe holder configured to be inferior to the patient.