Modular portable ultrasound systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising:
- an ultrasound image processor housing having a display and a first docking connector;
a base assembly that receives the processor housing, the base assembly having a second docking connector; and
a control element on the base assembly that controls an operation of an image processor in the processor housing such that ultrasound image data are displayed on the display.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a lightweight, high resolution portable ultrasound system using components and methods to improve connectivity and ease of use. A preferred embodiment includes an integrated system in which the beamformer control circuitry can be inserted into the host computer as a peripheral or within the processor housing. The modular system can include a docking assembly for a cart system having a console to operate the system and house additional communications and peripheral systems.
91 Citations
65 Claims
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1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising:
an ultrasound image processor housing having a display and a first docking connector;
a base assembly that receives the processor housing, the base assembly having a second docking connector; and
a control element on the base assembly that controls an operation of an image processor in the processor housing such that ultrasound image data are displayed on the display.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A portable ultrasound imaging system comprising:
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a probe housing including a transducer array;
a processor housing including a port for receiving ultrasound image data from the probe housing; and
a probe identification circuit in the housing, the probe identification circuit identifying each of a plurality of probes that can communicate image data to the processor housing. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of imaging a region of interest with ultrasound energy comprising:
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providing a portable ultrasound imaging system including a transducer array within a handheld probe, a cable interface that is connected to a data processor housing having a data processing system, and a peripheral device inserted into a port of the processor housing, the peripheral device including a connector for the cable interface, a beamforming device and a system controller connected to the beamforming device, providing output signals from the data processor to the handheld probe to actuate the transducer array;
delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest;
collecting ultrasound energy returning to the transducer array from the region of interest;
transmitting data from the handheld probe to the processor housing with the cable interface; and
performing a beamforming operation with the beamforming device in the peripheral device such that the data processing system receives a beamformed electronic representation of the region of interest from the beamforming device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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43. A portable ultrasound system for imaging a region of interest comprising:
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a handheld probe in which a transducer array is mounted; and
a data processing system within a data processor housing the housing including an electronic device that is connected to the handheld probe with a cable interface, such that the data processing system receives a representation of the region of interest, from the electronic device using a communication interface the electronic device including a programmable beamforming device and a system controller connected to the beamforming device. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 48)
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46. A connector device for a Transducer probe of an ultrasound imaging system comprising:
- A transducer probe having a cable and a first connector;
a circuit housing having a second connector that receives ultrasound image signals from the transducer probe;
the second connector having an actuator that engages the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
- A transducer probe having a cable and a first connector;
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54. A method of using a connector assembly for an ultrasound system comprising:
moving a connector actuator from a first position to a second position to engage a housing connector of an ultrasound imaging device with a transducer probe connector. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method of using a modular ultrasound imaging system comprising;
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Connecting an image processor housing to a base assembly;
and operating a control element on the base assembly to actuate an ultrasound imaging operation using the image processor housing. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification