UltraFit headset
Aluminium headset
The old aluminium headset was designed in 2008 and sold until 2017. It could only be worn for 20 minutes before it became uncomfortable to wear. We also found that users were not tightening the headset to reduce this discomfort resulting in stability far poorer than reported.
The aluminium headset was discontinued in 2017 and is no longer available.
UltraFit headset
The UltraFit headset is lighter and can be worn in comfort for long periods. This study found good stability. After this study was completed Articulate Instruments and Anna Matosova made alterations to further improve stability. This 2024 study “P05 Improving ultrasound pose estimation accuracy by training on co-registered EMA data” uses co-registered EMA and ultrasound with EMA sensors on the probe to provide precise data on probe movement when held by the UltraFit. The probe midpoint remained in the sagittal plane throughout a 1 hour recording with standard deviation of 0.5mm and a yaw of 4 degrees. Vertical displacement was +- 2.7mm (s.d. 1.0mm) and horizontal displacement was 3.7mm(s.d. 1.2mm). This study was carried out with an MC4-2R20S-3 probe. Heavier probes will tend to tilt the headset forward. We have used a counterweight on the back of the headset to compensate for this with good success.
UltraFit headset recommended to hold probe in midsagittal plane and reduce within plane movement.
See UltraFit Design page for more information on the carefully considered development of the headset
Probe holders
The ultraFit comes with two probe holders designed to firmly hold the MC4-2R20S-3 and MC10-5R10S-3 probes. The probe holders that we sell with the UltraFit are moulded to fit probes from the MicrUs and discontinued EchoB systems. We also have a generic holder for coronal probe orientation available on request. We have some generic probe holders which we can offer to users of different makes and models of ultrasound system which may provide some support. Although these holders will not grip such probes firmly. Please provide measurements of the probe you are using from a different ultrasound system. These measurements should be at the neck of the probe where the holder will grip. Bespoke probe holders can be designed to fit your probe exactly but this can be expensive.