METHODS FOR VERIFYING THE INTEGRITY OF PROBES FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS

• US 20080194962A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Penrith Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Randall, Kevin S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4411 Device being modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/10 for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/146 for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/226 for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3272 for verifying the internal pressure of closed containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/40 by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52017 particularly adapted to short-range imaging G01S7/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52079 Constructional features constructional features of transducers B06B; mounting transducers G10K11/00; constructional features of ultrasonic medical diagnostic devices A61B8/44
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/5208 with integration of processing functions inside probe or scanhead
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52082 involving a modular construction, e.g. a computer with short range imaging equipment modular ultrasonic medical diagnostic devices A61B8/4411

Abstract

Methods are provided for verifying that water and other fluids cannot reach the internal components probes for ultrasound imaging systems.

Claims

1. A method for verifying watertight integrity of a probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising introducing a gas into an interior volume of a housing of the probe, and determining whether the gas escapes from the interior volume.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the gas escapes from the interior volume comprises monitoring a pressure of the gas in the interior volume.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas is a tracer gas and determining whether the gas escapes from the interior volume comprises monitoring for the presence of the tracer gas outside of the housing.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising immersing the probe in a liquid, wherein determining whether the gas escapes from the interior volume comprises monitoring for the emergence of gas bubbles from the housing.

5. The method of claim 1, further coating an exterior of the housing with a soap solution.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring a pressure of the gas in the interior volume comprises monitoring the pressure of the gas through a hole formed in the housing.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising sealing the hole after determining whether the gas escapes from the interior volume.

8. A method for verifying watertight integrity of a probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising creating at least a partial vacuum within an interior volume of a housing of the probe;

and determining whether gas from an ambient environment around the probe enters the interior volume.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining whether the gas from an ambient environment around the probe enters the interior volume comprises monitoring a vacuum level within the probe.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein monitoring a vacuum level within the probe comprises monitoring the vacuum level through a hole formed in the housing.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising sealing the hole after determining whether the gas from an ambient environment around the probe enters the interior volume.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein determining whether gas from an ambient environment around the probe enters the interior volume comprises determining whether air from the ambient environment enters the interior volume.

13. A method for verifying watertight integrity of a wireless probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising immersing the probe in a liquid, applying a voltage between the probe and the liquid, and monitoring for a current above a predetermined level in response to the voltage.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising mating an adapter with the probe so that an electrical contact on the adapter mates with an electrical contact on the probe, and applying the voltage between the electrical contact on the probe and the liquid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical contact on the probe is a battery charging contact.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical contact on the probe is an electrical contact that facilitates electrical contact between the probe and a removable battery.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein applying a voltage between the probe and the liquid comprises applying the voltage to circuitry of the probe by way of wires routed into an interior of the probe by way of a hole formed in a housing of the probe.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein applying the voltage to circuitry of the probe by way of wires routed to an electrical contact located in the interior of the probe by way of the hole formed in the housing of the probe comprises applying the voltage to an electrical contact positioned in the interior of the probe.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising sealing the hole after verifying that the current does not exceed the predetermined level.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing an electrically-conductive path between an interior surface of the housing and a circuit board assembly of the probe.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein providing an electrically-conductive path between an interior surface of the housing and a circuit board of the probe comprises applying an electrically-conductive coating to the surface, and electrically connecting the coating and the circuit board.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein providing an electrically-conductive path between an interior surface of the housing and a circuit board of the probe comprises attaching an electrically-conductive shield to the circuit board, and electrically connecting the shield and the housing.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising connecting a voltage source to an electrical contact on the probe, and applying the voltage between the electrical contact and the liquid.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising sealing the electrical contact on the probe after monitoring for the current above a predetermined level in response to the voltage.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein applying a voltage between the probe and the liquid comprises applying the voltage between conductors of a cable of the probe.

33. The probe of claim 23, further comprising a wireless transmitter positioned within the housing, and an acoustic transmit timing device, wherein the transducer array emits pulses of the acoustical energy, the acoustic transmit timing device controls the timing of the pulses, and the wireless transmitter transmits information relating to the return reflections whereby the probe can communicate with a base unit of an ultrasound imaging system on a wireless basis.

34. The probe of claim 33, further comprising a time-varying gain circuit communicatively coupled to the transducer array for compensating for attenuation of acoustical energy received by the transducer array, and an analog to digital converter communicatively coupled to the time-varying gain circuit and the transmitter.

35. The probe of claim 34, further comprising a receive amplifier communicatively coupled to the transducer array, wherein the receive amplifier amplifies the output of the transducer array.

26. A wireless probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

a housing;

a transducer array positioned within the housing, the transducer array emitting acoustical energy and receiving return reflections of the acoustical energy;

a circuit substrate positioned within the housing;

a wireless transmitter mounted on the circuit substrate and communicatively coupled to the transducer array for transmitting information relating to the return reflections; and

an electrically-conductive path between the circuit substrate and the housing.

27. The probe of claim 26, wherein the electrically-conductive path is an electrically-conductive shield.

28. The probe of claim 26, wherein the electrically-conductive path is an electrically-conductive coating.

29. The probe of claim 26, wherein the electrically-conductive path covers at least a portion of the circuit substrate.

30. The probe of claim 29, wherein the electrically-conductive path covers a substantial entirety of the circuit substrate.

31. The probe of claim 26, wherein the electrically-conductive path covers at least a portion of an interior surface of the housing.

32. The probe of claim 26, wherein the electrically-conductive path is in electrical contact with a reference node on the circuit substrate.

36. A method for verifying watertight integrity of a wireless probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising applying a voltage and monitoring for a current above a predetermined level in response to the voltage.