CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS

This patent application is related to Marcil, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/898,495, entitled “PATIENT OVERLAY FOR ULTRASOUND POSITIONING DEVICE,” filed on Feb. 17, 2018 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to a system for positioning an ultrasound device proximal to an anatomy of a patient.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound devices (e.g., a probe, sensor, or the like) can be positioned proximate to an anatomy (e.g., a prostate, diaphragm, abdomen, or the like) of a patient. A device can hold the ultrasound device in a position proximate to the anatomy of the patient.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include attaching and detaching a handle from a portable overlay base without the use of tools. The portable overlay base can be used to provide rails usable to slidably move an ultrasound probe holder toward or away from a patient resting on the overlay base. Additionally, the present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include providing a handle that is detachable from the overlay base while having a resilient engagement between the handle and the base. Further, the present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include supporting an ultrasound device and facilitating the positioning of the ultrasound device proximate to an anatomy of the patient.

The present subject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as by providing an overlay system for providing a movable interface between an ultrasound probe holder and a couch for radiotherapy. The overlay system can include a substantially planar overlay base including a top side. The base can define a handle receptacle, for instance at a first end of the base. The handle receptacle can include a handle capture section optionally having a tapered profile. A centrally located elongated guide can extend longitudinally along the top side of the base to guide translational movement of the ultrasound probe holder along a longitudinal axis of the base. A handle can be configured to be attached and detached, by a user, with the handle receptacle of the base. The handle can define a channel optionally having a wedge profile. The wedge profile of the handle can correspond to the tapered profile of the handle receptacle. Engagement of the channel to the capture section of the handle receptacle can attach the handle to the base.

The engagement of the channel to the capture section can provide a resilient engagement between the handle and the base. In an example, a user can attach the handle with the base, and a patient can rest upon the base. The user can lift the handle, and move (e.g., adjust the position of) the base. For example, the user can adjust the position of the base by engaging with the handle. The handle can be removed to help transport of the system. The handle can be removed to help facilitate removal of the probe holder from the base. The handle can be removed to help facilitate cleaning (e.g., sanitizing or the like) of the system.

In some examples, a pin (e.g., a fastener or the like) can be engaged with the handle to attach the handle with the base. However, engaging the pin with the handle can be cumbersome, and can require the usage of tools (e.g., pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, or the like). The engagement of the channel to the capture section of the handle receptacle can readily attach the handle with the base and facilitate readily attaching and detaching the handle from the base.

Additionally, the overlay system can include one or more indexed engagement features, and the engagement features can couple with a support for an ultrasound device. The indexed engagement features can allow a user to locate the ultrasound device in a plurality of positions, and the engagement features can allow a user to readily locate the ultrasound device in the same position with respect to the patient. In an example, a patient can undergo one or more medical procedures, for instance over the course of multiple days. The indexed engagement features can facilitate locating ultrasound device in the same position with respect to the patient during the one or more medical procedures.

Aspect 1 may include or use subject matter (such as an apparatus, a system, a device, a method, a means for performing acts, or a device readable medium including instructions that, when performed by the device, may cause the device to perform acts), such as may include or use an overlay system for providing a movable interface between an ultrasound probe holder and a couch for radiotherapy, the overlay system comprising: a substantially planar overlay base including a top side, the base defining a handle receptacle including a handle capture section having a tapered profile; a centrally located elongated guide extending longitudinally along the top side of the base to guide translational movement of the ultrasound probe holder along a longitudinal axis of the base; a handle configured to be attached and detached, by a user, with the handle receptacle of the base, wherein: the handle defines a channel having a wedge profile that corresponds to the tapered profile of the handle receptacle; engagement of the channel to the capture section of the handle receptacle attaches the handle to the base.

Aspect 2 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 1, to optionally include or use wherein the handle receptacle includes an insertion section sized and shaped to accommodate an end of the handle during handle insertion and removal by the user.

Aspect 3 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 2 to optionally include or use wherein the handle receptacle is configured to allow the handle to translate between the insertion section and the capture section.

Aspect 4 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 2 or 3 to optionally include or use a locking plate having a lock body sized and shaped to cover the insertion section of the base while engaging the handle receptacle of the base to couple the locking plate to the base.

Aspect 5 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 4 to optionally include or use wherein locking plate is sized and shaped to inhibit displacement of the handle with respect to the handle receptacle.

Aspect 6 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 4 or 5 to optionally include or use wherein the lock body includes a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, and the lock body is stiffer along the first axis than along the second axis.

Aspect 7 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 4 through 6 to optionally include or use that wherein the locking plate includes at least one tab extending from lock body and configured to engage with the handle receptacle.

Aspect 8 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 7 to optionally include or use wherein the tab includes a clip portion sized and shaped to receive an edge of the handle receptacle.

Aspect 9 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 8 to optionally include or use wherein the handle receptacle is defined in the base proximate to a first end of the base.

Aspect 10 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 9 to optionally include or use wherein the locking channel of the handle includes a curved first section that is thinner than a linear second section extending from the first section.

Aspect 11 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 10 to optionally include or use that wherein the locking channel includes a linear third section extending from the first section, wherein: the linear second section extends from the curved first section in a first direction; and the linear third section extends from the curved first section in a second direction.

Aspect 12 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 11 to optionally include or use wherein the base defines indexed engagement features that are configured to engage directly or indirectly with the couch, and further comprising a locking plate configured to engage with the handle receptacle of the base to couple the locking plate with the base, wherein the locking plate defines at least one of the indexed engagement features located so as to be aligned with a corresponding individual engagement feature of the base.

Aspect 13 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 12 to optionally include or use wherein the handle includes a stop extending from the handle and configured to engage with the top side of the base to inhibit over-insertion of the handle with respect to the handle receptacle.

Aspect 14 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 13 to optionally include or use wherein the stop is located on the handle proximate to the locking channel.

Aspect 15 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 14 to optionally include or use wherein the locking channel is located proximate to an end of the handle.

Aspect 16 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 15 to optionally include or use wherein the locking channel defines a curved wall extending toward an interior portion of the handle.

Aspect 17 may include or use subject matter (such as an apparatus, a system, a device, a method, a means for performing acts, or a device readable medium including instructions that, when performed by the device, may cause the device to perform acts), such as may include or use a method for using a patient therapy couch, the method comprising: user-attaching or user-detaching a handle to a base, including inserting or removing a handle end into or out of an insertion section of a handle receptacle of the base, and translating the handle end into or out of a capture section of the handle receptacle of the base.

Aspect 18 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 17, to optionally include or use locating an overlay base on the couch.

Aspect 19 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 17 or 18 to optionally include or use locating a locking plate proximate to the base; and engaging the locking plate with the handle receptacle, wherein the locking plate has a lock body sized and shaped to cover the insertion section of the handle receptacle.

Aspect 20 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 17 through 19 to optionally include or use wherein the handle includes a channel having a wedge-shaped profile and the handle receptacle has a tapered profile that corresponds to the wedge-shaped profile.

Aspect 21 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 17 through 20 to optionally include or use lifting the base with the handle.

Aspect 22 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 17 through 21 to optionally include or use wherein user-detaching of the handle from the base includes: disengaging a locking plate from the handle receptacle; translating the handle from the capture section to the insertion section; and removing the handle from the handle receptacle.

Aspect 23 may include or use subject matter (such as an apparatus, a system, a device, a method, a means for performing acts, or a device readable medium including instructions that, when performed by the device, may cause the device to perform acts), such as may include or use an overlay system for providing a movable interface between an ultrasound probe holder and a couch for radiotherapy, the overlay system comprising: a substantially planar overlay base including a top side, the base defining a tool-less user-attachable and user-detachable handle means for carrying or positioning the overlay (e.g., such as may include a U-shaped handle, such as may include a channel); means for receiving the handle means (e.g., such as may include a handle receptacle that tapers from an insertion portion toward a capture portion); means for capturing the handle means (e.g., such as may include a narrower portion of the receptacle into which the handle slides); and means for guiding translational movement of the ultrasound probe holder along a longitudinal axis of the base (e.g., such as may include one or more centrally located elongated rails).

Aspect 24 may include or use, or may optionally be combined with any portion or combination of any portions of any one or more of Aspects 1 through 23 to include or use, subject matter that may include means for performing any one or more of the functions of Aspects 1 through 23.

Each of these non-limiting aspects can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other aspects.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.

