APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM BASED ON CONTACT WITH AN ULTRASOUND PROBE
First Claim
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1. An ultrasound probe, comprising:
- a probe housing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
an array of transducer elements within the probe housing; and
at least one sensor formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the probe housing, the at least one sensor configured to detect at least one parameter associated with an object in contact with the outer surface proximate the at least one sensor.
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Abstract
An ultrasound probe comprises a probe housing that has an inner surface and an outer surface. An array of transducer elements are within the probe housing. At least one sensor is formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the probe housing. The at least one sensor is configured to detect at least one parameter associated with an object in contact with the outer surface proximate the at least one sensor.
116 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An ultrasound probe, comprising:
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a probe housing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; an array of transducer elements within the probe housing; and at least one sensor formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the probe housing, the at least one sensor configured to detect at least one parameter associated with an object in contact with the outer surface proximate the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An ultrasound system, comprising:
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an ultrasound probe comprising; a probe housing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; an array of transducer elements within the probe housing; and at least one sensor formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the probe housing, the at least one sensor configured to detect a level of at least one parameter associated with an object in contact with the outer surface proximate the at least one sensor; and a processor module electrically coupled to the ultrasound probe, the processor module configured to initiate an action based on a relationship of the level of the at least one parameter to predetermined criteria. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling an ultrasound system based on capacitance changes detected proximate to an outer surface of an ultrasound probe, the method comprising:
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detecting with at least one capacitive sensor a level of capacitance on an outer surface of an ultrasound probe; comparing the level of capacitance to a capacitance criteria with a processor module; and initiating an action with the processor module when the level of capacitance satisfies the capacitance criteria. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification