Tilt-controlled grid

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a needle guide includes a first lever, a second lever, a first cam and a second cam. The first cam is attached to and extends from the first lever to a housing under the needle guide. The second cam is attached to and extends from the second lever to the housing under the needle guide. At least one of the first cam and the second cam is configured to translate rotational movement from the first lever and the second lever to both linear and rotational movement of the needle guide via the housing.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a guide plate coupled to the housing;   a first lever;   a second lever, the first and second levers coupled via lever movement translation means to moveable components in the housing, the moveable components causing movement of the guide plate.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable components are configured to move the guide plate vertically. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable components are configured to tilt the guide plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plate is a needle guide. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plate comprises a guide for precise control of medical equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lever movement translation means comprise first and second cams. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein rotation of one or both of the first and second levers causes a movement of a portion or all of the moveable components via rotation of one or both of the first and second cams. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the lever movement translation means comprise a first linear screw and a second linear screw internal to the first and second cams, respectively, wherein rotation of one or both of the first and second levers causes a movement of a portion or all of the moveable components via rotation of one or both of the first linear screw and the second linear screw. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the lever movement translation means comprise a rotation by friction means internal to the first and second cams, respectively, wherein rotation of one or both of the first and second levers causes a movement of a portion or all of the moveable components via the rotation by friction means. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lever movement translation means is configured to translate and convey motion through first and second cams to the moveable components. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lever movement translation means comprises a pump. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable components comprise gears, the gears configured to translate movement by the lever movement translation means to movement of the guide plate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second levers are arranged to be offset from the housing in such a manner that an operator can maneuver the first and second levers without interference with the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stepper, wherein the lever movement translation means comprises first and second cams that extend through the stepper and to the housing, the stepper configured to control movement of the guide plate. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an ultrasound array. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the first lever and the second lever are moved together, the guide plate moves substantially vertically. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the first lever is moved and the second lever is maintained stationary, the guide plate is held in place about a pivot axis while being rotated about the pivot axis. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein rotational movement of the guide plate tilts the guide plate around an axis. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus, comprising:
 first and second levers; and   means for moving a guide plate that is arranged horizontally offset from the first and second levers by translating rotational movement of the first and second levers to linear movement of the guide plate.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the means for moving a guide plate comprises lever movement translation means and moveable components configured to cause movement of the guide plate based on the rotational movement of the first and second levers and the movement translation means.