Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging devices with fuel cell energy source
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system probe comprising:
- an ultrasonic transducer array (12);
an integrated circuit (13) coupled to the ultrasonic transducer array (12) which acts to process or control transducer array signals;
a fuel cell (90) coupled to the integrated circuit (13) for energizing the integrated circuit (13); and
a source of fuel coupled to the fuel cell (90).
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Abstract
Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging devices are powered by fuel cells providing the continuous production of electrical energy by the direct electrochemical conversion of a hydrogen-based fuel into a flow of current. The ultrasound devices described comprise wireless transducer probes, handheld ultrasound systems, and cart-borne or tabletop ultrasound systems. The fuel for the fuel cells is contained in replaceable containers such as cartridges or ampules. When the fuel is exhausted, the fuel cells are immediately returned to a fully operating condition by replacing the expended unit with a full cartridge or ampule.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system probe comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer array (12);
an integrated circuit (13) coupled to the ultrasonic transducer array (12) which acts to process or control transducer array signals;
a fuel cell (90) coupled to the integrated circuit (13) for energizing the integrated circuit (13); and
a source of fuel coupled to the fuel cell (90). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A handheld ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer array (12);
an integrated circuit (13) coupled to the ultrasonic transducer array (12) which acts to beamform signals produced by or for the transducer array (12), and to process beamformed signals for display;
a display panel (16) coupled to the integrated circuit (13);
a fuel cell (90) coupled to the integrated circuit (13) and the display panel (16) for energizing the integrated circuit (13) and the display panel (16); and
a source of fuel coupled to the fuel cell (90). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23)
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20. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer array probe (12);
an ultrasound signal path (14) coupled to the transducer array probe (12);
an image display (87) coupled to the ultrasound signal path (14);
a control panel (20) coupled to the ultrasound signal path (14);
a source of a.c. power coupled to energize the ultrasound signal path (14);
a fuel cell (90) coupled to energize the ultrasound signal path (14); and
a source of fuel coupled to the fuel cell (90).
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24. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer array probe (12);
an ultrasound signal processor coupled to receive signals from the array probe (12);
an ultrasound image processor coupled to receive signals from the signal processor;
an image display (16) coupled to the image processor which acts to display images produced by the image processor; and
a fuel cell (90) and fuel supply unit (46), coupled to provide energy to one or more of the array probe (12), the signal processor, the image processor, and the image display (16), wherein the fuel cell (90) and fuel supply unit (46) is removable from the diagnostic imaging system for replacement by another fuel cell (90) and fuel supply unit (46) by a user of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system.
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Specification