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Ultrasound system with docking station and dockable ultrasound probe

  • US 10,667,787 B2
  • Filed: 03/01/2017
  • Issued: 06/02/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An ultrasound system comprising:

  • a portable ultrasound probe that includes;

    one or more first transducer elements that transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest;

    processing circuitry that controls transmission of the ultrasound signal from the one or more first transducer elements;

    driving circuitry operatively coupled to the one or more first transducer elements and the processing circuitry, wherein the driving circuitry drives the transmission of the ultrasound signal by the one or more first transducer elements in response to a control signal received from the processing circuitry;

    one or more second transducer elements that receive echo signals returning from the target structure in response to transmission of the ultrasound signal; and

    a power supply that provides power to the driving circuitry for transmission of the ultrasound signal in at least a pulsed wave mode of operation; and

    a docking station that includes;

    an electrical connector that is couplable to the ultrasound probe; and

    circuitry that electrically couples to the ultrasound probe via the electrical connector and enhances the ultrasound functionality of the ultrasound probe,wherein the circuitry in the docking station includes driving circuitry, and when the ultrasound probe is coupled to the docking station, the driving circuitry of the docking station is operatively coupled to the one or more first transducer elements in the ultrasound probe and drives the transmission of the ultrasound signal by the one or more first transducer elements in place of the driving circuit included in the ultrasound probe.

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