ULTRASOUND DEVICE FOR PROBE GUIDANCE AND STERILIZABLE SHIELD FOR SAME

摘要

Disclosed are medical probe devices and methods for use guiding of percutaneous probes during medical procedures. The probe devices include an ultrasound transducer housing (100) having a passage (126) therethrough configured to accommodate a probe (154). 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 (130) 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.