PROBES FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wireless probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
- a housing;
a transducer array mounted in the housing, wherein the transducer array directs acoustical energy at a target area and senses return reflections of the acoustical energy from the target area;
a transmitter mounted in the housing and communicatively coupled to the transducer array, wherein the transmitter transmits information relating to the return reflections; and
a battery pack removably mounted to the housing, wherein the battery pack provides electrical power for the transducer and the transmitter and comprises an enclosure, and a battery mounted within the enclosure.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of probes for ultrasound imaging systems can include removable batteries. The embodiments can include electrically-insulative barriers surrounding contacts that facilitate electrical connections to the batteries. The embodiments can include switches that electrically isolate the batteries on a selective basis.
97 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A wireless probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
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a housing; a transducer array mounted in the housing, wherein the transducer array directs acoustical energy at a target area and senses return reflections of the acoustical energy from the target area; a transmitter mounted in the housing and communicatively coupled to the transducer array, wherein the transmitter transmits information relating to the return reflections; and a battery pack removably mounted to the housing, wherein the battery pack provides electrical power for the transducer and the transmitter and comprises an enclosure, and a battery mounted within the enclosure. - 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)
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24. A probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
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a housing; a transducer array mounted in the housing, wherein the transducer array directs acoustical energy at a target area and senses return reflections of the acoustical energy from the target area; a transmitter mounted in the housing and communicatively coupled to the transducer array, wherein the transmitter transmits information relating to the return reflections; a battery pack removably mounted to the housing, wherein the battery pack provides electrical power for the transducer and the transmitter and comprises an enclosure, a rechargeable battery mounted within the enclosure, and a first electrical contact mounted to the enclosure, a second electrical contact mounted to the housing, wherein the second electrical contact mates with the first electrical contact when the battery pack is mounted to the housing; and an electrically-insulative barrier mounted to the housing or the enclosure and surrounding the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A probe for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
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a housing; a transducer array mounted in the housing, wherein the transducer array directs acoustical energy at a target area and senses return reflections of the acoustical energy from the target area; a transmitter mounted in the housing and communicatively coupled to the transducer array, wherein the transmitter transmits information relating to the return reflections; a battery pack mounted within the housing; a first electrical contact mounted to the housing for mating with a second electrical contact on a charging station; and a switch electrically connected to the battery and the first electrical contact, wherein the switch places the battery in electrical contact with the first electrical contact on a selective basis. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification