Introduction to Ultrasound Probe Puncture Frame

An ultrasound probe puncture frame, also known as a puncture frame, puncture guide frame, or puncture guide, allows for the guidance of a puncture needle to a target site in the human body under ultrasound guidance, enabling procedures such as cytological biopsy, histological biopsy, cyst aspiration, and treatment.

Interventional ultrasound has become an important branch of modern ultrasound medicine. In interventional ultrasound procedures, various ultrasound puncture probes and puncture frames attached to the probes are the tools of interventional ultrasonography. This field developed based on advances in ultrasound imaging to further meet the needs of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Its main function is to perform various biopsies, fluid aspirations, punctures, angiograms, vascular drainage, drug injections, blood transfusions, and tumor injections under real-time ultrasound monitoring or guidance. It can avoid certain surgical procedures while achieving the same effect as surgery.

2. By usage: It can be divided into reusable puncture frames and disposable puncture frames;

3. By clinical application: It can be divided into surface probe puncture frames and intracavitary probe puncture frames;

1. Compared to dedicated puncture probes: Puncture frames, as accessories for conventional probes, have a lower procurement cost; dedicated puncture probes require immersion sterilization, which has a long sterilization cycle, and prolonged immersion of the probe shortens its lifespan. Ordinary probe puncture frames, made of plastic or metal, do not have this problem.  

2. Compared to freehand puncture: Puncture guided by a puncture frame allows the puncture needle to travel along the guide line set by the ultrasound equipment, observed via the ultrasound monitor, enabling precise access to the puncture target site;

3. Convenient puncture frame use: Most ultrasound probes currently have a structure for installing a puncture frame on their outer shell. The operator only needs to install the puncture frame according to the instructions before proceeding with the subsequent puncture operation;  

4. Flexible design to meet various clinical needs: According to different clinical needs, the puncture frame can be designed for single or repeated use, can be set at multiple angles, can be designed to accommodate different puncture needle specifications, and can also be designed with a structure where the needle and puncture frame body are separated. In principle, any doctor's needs can be customized in the puncture frame.

Advantages: Reusable, long lifespan; diverse sterilization methods, high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization is convenient and quick; generally made of stainless steel, not easy to rust, strong corrosion resistance; lower cost per use compared to disposable puncture frames.

Disadvantages: Heavier than plastic puncture frames; due to manufacturing methods such as machining and welding, the procurement cost of individual products is high.

2. Plastic puncture frame

Advantages: The elasticity of the plastic allows for easy installation on the probe shell, quick installation; lightweight, better user experience than metal puncture frames; due to the use of mold forming manufacturing methods, the procurement cost of individual products is lower than that of metal puncture frames.

Disadvantages: Plastic material, cannot be sterilized by high-temperature and high-pressure, can only be sterilized by liquid immersion or low-temperature plasma sterilization; due to frequent immersion disinfection and sterilization, the plastic is prone to aging, and the lifespan is relatively short.

3. Disposable puncture frame (mostly intracavitary puncture frames are designed as disposable)

Advantages: Efficient and quick use, ready to use after opening the package, disposable; due to the use of disposable sterile packaging, there is no cross-infection problem, the safest to use; lightweight, easy to assemble onto the ultrasound probe.

Disadvantages: Higher cost per patient use compared to reusable puncture frames.

1. Ensure that the ultrasound probe is disinfected correctly;

2. Cover the probe with a sterile rubber sheath:

(1) Apply an appropriate amount of coupling agent inside the sheath and/or on the probe surface. Not using a coupling agent may affect the imaging effect.

(2) Insert the probe into the sheath. Tighten the sheath so that it adheres tightly to the probe surface, ensuring that the sheath is not wrinkled and there are no air bubbles. Be careful not to puncture the sheath.

(3) Secure the sheath with the included strap.

Check the sheath to ensure that there are no small holes or damage.

3. Ensure that the puncture frame device has been disinfected correctly and is still within the effective disinfection period;

4. Secure the puncture frame to the probe:

(1) Correctly install the puncture frame device according to the manufacturer's instructions;

(2) If the angle of the puncture frame device is adjustable, the appropriate angle needs to be selected before the puncture operation;

(3) Select a puncture needle of appropriate length and Specification to reach the surgical site and meet the puncture function;

(4) If the puncture frame device cannot be assembled, do not use the device.

5. When using the puncture frame for the first time, verify the correctness of the puncture needle guide line and check it against the ultrasound system manual and the relationship of the puncture frame device.

6. Correctly handle the puncture frame device after the puncture surgery

(1) For disposable components, treat them as contaminated waste and dispose of them appropriately;

(2) For reusable components, clean, disinfect, and sterilize them using the methods described in the instructions.

(3) Apply an appropriate amount of coupling agent inside the sheath and/or on the probe surface. Not using a coupling agent may affect the imaging effect.

(4) Insert the probe into the sheath. Tighten the sheath so that it adheres tightly to the probe surface, ensuring that the sheath is not wrinkled and there are no air bubbles. Be careful not to puncture the sheath.

(5) Secure the sheath with the included strap.

(6) Check the sheath to ensure that there are no small holes or damage.

7.Ensure that the puncture frame device has been disinfected correctly and is still within the effective disinfection period;

8. Secure the puncture frame to the probe:

(1) Correctly install the puncture frame device according to the manufacturer's instructions;

(2) If the angle of the puncture frame device is adjustable, the appropriate angle needs to be selected before the puncture operation;

(3) Select a puncture needle of appropriate length and Specification to reach the surgical site and meet the puncture function;

(4) If the puncture frame device cannot be assembled, do not use the device.

9. When using the puncture frame for the first time, verify the correctness of the puncture needle guide line and check it against the ultrasound system manual and the relationship of the puncture frame device.

10. Correctly handle the puncture frame device after the puncture surgery

(1) For disposable components, treat them as contaminated waste and dispose of them appropriately;

(2) For reusablecomponents,clean, disinfect, and sterilize them using the methods described in the instructions.

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