US 12,490,955 B2
Ultrasound probe and ultrasound system provided with said ultrasound probe
Leonardo Forzoni, Florence (IT); Stefano De Beni, Genoa (IT); and Fabrizio Spezia, Giussano (IT)
Assigned to Esaote S.p.A, Genoa (IT)
Filed by ESAOTE SpA, Genoa (IT)
Filed on Dec. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/080,540.
Application 18/080,540 is a division of application No. 16/256,881, filed on Jan. 24, 2019, granted, now 11,547,387.
Prior Publication US 2023/0111222 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 8/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/4254 (2013.01) [A61B 8/4455 (2013.01); A61B 8/4209 (2013.01); A61B 8/4422 (2013.01); A61B 8/4433 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A joint having two parts provided respectively on an ultrasound probe and at least one operating unit, the ultrasound probe used in combination with the at least one operating unit, the probe comprising a wall defining at least part of a case of the probe that is configured to be held in the hand of a user and the case having an interior, the at least one operating unit chosen from a tracking sensor or receiver and/or a keypad and/or a surgical tool support, wherein the probe and the at least one operating unit are each one provided with one of two parts of the joint, the two parts of the joint being releasably engageable with each other by magnetic force and by mechanical coupling; wherein the joint is configured alternatively for providing:
a weak magnetic force and strong mechanical retention, the magnetic force being used only as a user guidance when approaching the operating unit joint part to the probe for an easier finding of the correct position in relation to the part of the joint on the probe and the correct way of connection relative orientation of the joint parts one with respect to the other and ready to fit condition of the mechanically performed coupling;
a mid magnetic guidance and retention effects and mid mechanical retention effects, the magnetic force being used as user guidance for an easier finding of the correct way of connection and the connection retaining the at least one operating unit on the probe is performed both magnetically and mechanically;
a strong magnetic guidance and retention force and a weak or absent mechanical retention, the magnetic force being used as user-guidance for an easier finding of the correct way of connection and the retention is performed mainly/totally magnetically, while the mechanical part is configured for indication and/or partially retaining the correct coupling connection between the probe and the at least one operating unit provided by the releasably engaged two parts of the joint.