Donald Leroy Galer

US Patent:

46745173, Jun 23, 1987

Filed:

Aug 9, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/764055

Inventors:

Stephen R. Barnes - Seattle WA
Donald R. Galer - Redmond WA
Richard S. Leard - Issaquah Island WA

Assignee:

Lawrence Medical Systems, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

A61B 1000

US Classification:

128663

Abstract:

An ultrasonic probe for insonifying the ascending aorta of a supine or reclining human patient. The probe has a head housing transducers for insonifying the patient's ascending aorta and for intercepting doppler-shifted energy reflected from the proximate and distal walls of the ascending aorta and from blood flowing through the aorta. The transducer head is integral with and extends below the handle of the probe, facilitating the manipulation of the probe and alignment of the beam of ultrasonic energy propagated by the probe relative to the ascending aorta of the patient. An oval cross-section and trapezoidal profile allow this to be done with a minimum of discomfort to either the patient or the user of the probe, and an L- or T-shaped handle allows the probe to be positioned and manipulated from a position behind the patient's head and with little or no sight of the patient's suprasternal notch.