Importance

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Abstract

A needle and syringe assembly including a transducer for directing ultrasonic waves through the needle and receiving reflected ultrasonic waves through the needle as the needle is inserted into tissue. The ultrasonic transducer has a surface area which substantially equals the surface area of the plunger head within the syringe body to permit the delivery of more power and thereby increase the depth of penetration of the transmitted and reflected waves. A lens may be associated with the transducer for focusing ultrasonic waves from the transducer through the needle. Further, the transducer may include a plurality of sections or portions in a planar arrangement to permit either continuous wave or pulsed wave transmission and reception of the ultrasonic energy passing through the needle. The plunger, transducer, and lens may be detachable from the syringe body and needle whereby the assembly can be reusable and can be employed with conventional syringes and needles when only ultrasonic guidance of the needle is required. In another embodiment, a pod assembly, which houses the transducer and lens, is detachably connected between the needle and syringe cylinder. the detachable pod assembly permits cleansing and sterilization of the transducer and lens for reuse with disposable needles and syringes.

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First Claim