Transducer arrays with an integrated sensor and methods of use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A transducer probe for ultrasound detection, the transducer probe comprising:
- a probe housing for handheld use external to a subject;
a piezoelectric transducer element connected with the probe housing; and
a sensor exposed on an exterior surface of the probe housing.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for obtaining ultrasound and sensing other patient charactristics are provided from summary. One or more sensors are provided in a same transducer probe as an array of elements. For example, sensors are formed on a same semiconductor substrate, such as a silicon substrate, as microelectromechanical devices or a capacitive membrane ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). As another example, a sensor is provided separate from or attached to transducer materials. Possible sensors include temperature, pressure, microphone, chemical and/or other sensors.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A transducer probe for ultrasound detection, the transducer probe comprising:
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a probe housing for handheld use external to a subject;
a piezoelectric transducer element connected with the probe housing; and
a sensor exposed on an exterior surface of the probe housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A transducer probe for ultrasound detection, the transducer probe comprising:
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a probe housing;
at least one transducer element connected with the probe housing, the at least one transducer being on or within a substrate; and
a temperature sensor integrated on or within the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for obtaining multiple types of information including ultrasound information, the method comprising:
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(a) obtaining ultrasound information with a transducer element on or within a probe housing;
(b) sensing a pressure with a pressure sensor on or within the probe housing; and
(c) determining one of;
breath sounds and tissue stiffness information about an object spaced from the probe housing, the determination being a function of the pressure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for obtaining multiple types of information including ultrasound information, the method comprising:
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(a) obtaining ultrasound information with a capacitive membrane ultrasound transducer element on or within a probe housing;
(b) sensing a pressure with a pressure sensor on or within the probe housing; and
(c) determining blood pressure information as a function of the pressure. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A transducer probe for ultrasound detection, the transducer probe comprising:
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a probe housing;
at least one transducer element connected with the probe housing; and
a chemical sensor connected with the probe housing on a surface to be exposed to fluids or tissues of a subject. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A transducer probe for ultrasound detection, the transducer probe comprising:
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a probe housing;
at least one transducer element connected with the probe housing, the at least one transducer being on or within a substrate; and
a position sensor integrated on or within the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification