TABLET ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

• US 20140114190A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teratech Corporation
• Original Assignee: Teratech Corporation
• Inventors: Chiang, Alice M., Wong, William M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,667,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/440
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4427 Device being portable or laptop-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4477 using several separate ultrasound transducers or probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/462 characterised by constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/468 allowing annotation or message recording
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/469 for selection of a region of interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/54 Control of the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8979 Combined Doppler and pulse-echo imaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52074 Composite displays, e.g. split-screen displays; Combination of multiple images or of images and alphanumeric tabular information
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52084 related to particular user interfaces special user input means for ultrasonic medical diagnostic devices A61B8/467
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/32145 the bodies being stacked
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/32245 the item being metallic
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48095 : Kinked
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 : connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48465 : the other connecting portion not on the bonding area being a wedge bond, i.e. ball-to-wedge, regular stitch
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73265 : Layer and wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00012 : Relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/181 : Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for portable medical ultrasound imaging. Certain embodiments provide a multi-chip module for an ultrasound engine of a portable medical ultrasound imaging system, in which a transmit/receive chip, an amplifier chip and a beamformer chip are assembled in a vertically stacked configuration. Exemplary embodiments also provide an ultrasound engine circuit board including one or more multi-chip modules, and a portable medical ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound engine circuit board with one or more multi-chip modules. Exemplary embodiments also provide methods for fabricating and assembling multi-chip modules as taught herein. A single circuit board of an ultrasound engine with one or more multi-chip modules may include 16 to 128 channels in some embodiments. Due to the vertical stacking arrangement of the multi-chip modules, a 128-channel ultrasound engine circuit board can be assembled within exemplary planar dimensions of about 10 cm×about 10 cm.

Claims

1. A method of operating handheld medical ultrasound imaging device, the medical ultrasound imaging device including a tablet housing, the housing having a front panel, a computer in the housing, the computer including at least one processor and at least one memory, a touch screen display for displaying an ultrasound image, the touch screen display positioned on the front panel, and a multichip ultrasound processing circuit disposed in the housing, the touch screen display and the ultrasound beamformer processing circuit being communicably coupled to the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at the computer, a first gesture input from the touch screen display; and

in response to the first gesture input from the touch screen display, altering a display operation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first gesture input corresponds to a press gesture against the touch screen display.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a second input from the touch screen display.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second input corresponds to a double tap gesture against the touch screen display.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising in response to the second input from the touch screen display, displaying a first cursor inside a region of a virtual window displaying a magnified image.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a third input from the touch screen display, the third input being received inside the region of the virtual window.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the third input corresponds to a drag gesture on the touch screen display.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising in response to the third input from the touch screen display, moving the first cursor to a first location inside the region of the virtual window.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a fourth input from the touch screen display, the fourth input being received at the first location inside the region of the virtual window.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the fourth input corresponds to a press gesture against the touch screen display.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a fifth input from the touch screen display, the fifth input being received substantially simultaneously with the fourth input.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the fifth input corresponds to a tap gesture against the touch screen display.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising in response to the fifth input from the touch screen display, fixing the first cursor at the first location inside the region of the virtual window.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising performing, by the computer, at least one measurement on the ultrasound image based at least in part on the first cursor at the first location.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a sixth input from the touch screen display.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the sixth input corresponds to a double tap gesture against the touch screen display.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising in response to the sixth input from the touch screen display, displaying a second cursor at a second location inside the region of the virtual window.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising performing, by the computer, at least one measurement on the ultrasound image based at least in part on the respective locations of the first and second cursors inside the region of the virtual window.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a seventh input from the touch screen display, the seventh input being received inside the region of the virtual window.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the seventh input corresponds to a press and drag gesture against the touch screen display.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising in response to the seventh input from the touch screen display, providing a connecting line on the touch screen display extending from the first cursor across at least a portion of the ultrasound image to a second location inside the region of the virtual window.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising receiving, at the computer, an eighth input from the touch screen display.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the eighth input corresponds to a tap gesture against the touch screen display.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising in response to the eighth input from the touch screen display, displaying a second cursor inside the region of the virtual window, and fixing the second cursor at the second location inside the region of the virtual window.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising performing, by the computer, at least one measurement on the ultrasound image based at least in part on the connecting line extending between the respective locations of the first and second cursors inside the region of the virtual window.

26. A method of operating portable medical ultrasound imaging equipment, the portable medical ultrasound imaging equipment including a housing in a tablet form factor, the housing having a front panel, a computer disposed in the housing, the computer including at least one processor and at least one memory, a touch screen display for displaying an ultrasound image, the touch screen display being disposed on the front panel, and an ultrasound beamformer circuit disposed in the housing, the touch screen display and the ultrasound engine being communicably coupled to the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at the computer, a first input from the touch screen display;

in response to the first input from the touch screen display, tracing a predetermined feature of the ultrasound image;

receiving, at the computer, a second input from the touch screen display, the second input being received substantially simultaneously with a portion of the first input; and

in response to the second input from the touch screen display, completing the tracing of the predetermined feature of the ultrasound image.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the first input corresponds to a press and drag gesture against the touch screen display.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the second input corresponds to a tap gesture against the touch screen display.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a third input from the touch screen display.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the third input corresponds to a double tap gesture against the touch screen display.

31. The method of claim 29 further comprising in response to the third input from the touch screen display, displaying a first cursor inside a region of the touch screen display.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a fourth input from the touch screen display.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the fourth input corresponds to a drag gesture on the touch screen display.

34. The method of claim 32 further comprising in response to the fourth input from the touch screen display, moving the first cursor to a first location inside the region of the touch screen display.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a fifth input from the touch screen display, the fifth input being received at the first location inside the region of the touch screen display.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the fifth input corresponds to a press gesture against the touch screen display.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising receiving, at the computer, a sixth input from the touch screen display, the sixth input being received substantially simultaneously with the fifth input.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the sixth input corresponds to a tap gesture against the touch screen display.

39. The method of claim 37 further comprising in response to the sixth input from the touch screen display, fixing the first cursor at the first location inside the region of the touch screen display.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the tracing of the predetermined feature of the ultrasound image includes tracing the predetermined feature of the ultrasound image, starting from the first cursor at the first location inside the region of the touch screen display.

41. The method of claim 26 further comprising performing, by the computer, at least one measurement on the ultrasound image based at least in part on the tracing of the predetermined feature of the ultrasound image.

42. A portable medical ultrasound imaging device comprising:

a housing in a tablet form factor, the housing having a front panel;

a computer disposed in the housing, the computer including at least one processor and at least one memory;

a touch screen display disposed on the front panel of the housing, the touch screen display being communicably connected to the computer; and

an ultrasound engine disposed in the housing, the ultrasound engine being communicably connected to the computer,

wherein the processor is operative to execute program instructions from the memory to detect a plurality of gestures on the touch screen display, thereby selectively initiating a plurality of operational modes, and

wherein the plurality of operational modes include two or more of;

a first operational mode for controlling penetration depth of ultrasound waves;

a second operational mode for performing freeze/store operations;

a third operational mode for controlling 2-dimensional image operations;

a fourth operational mode for performing gain control;

a fifth operational mode for performing color control;

a sixth operational mode for implementing a split screen display;

a seventh operational mode for performing PW imaging;

an eighth operational mode for controlling cine/time-series image clip scrolling;

a ninth operational mode for controlling zoom and pan operations;

a tenth operational mode for performing Doppler and 2-dimensional beam steering control; and

an eleventh operational mode for performing body marking.

43. A portable medical ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

a housing in a tablet form factor, the housing having a front panel;

a computer disposed in the housing, the computer including at least one processor and at least one memory;

a touch screen display disposed on the front panel of the housing and communicably connected to the computer; and

an ultrasound beamforming circuit disposed in the housing and communicably connected to the computer, the ultrasound beamformer circuit comprising an ultrasound transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, an amplifier integrated circuit chip, and a beamformer integrated circuit chip;

wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip of the ultrasound engine are assembled as a vertically stacked multi-chip module.

44. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the vertically stacked multi-chip module comprises:

a substrate;

a first of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, coupled to the substrate so as to extend parallel to the substrate;

a first spacer layer coupled to the first of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the first of the integrated circuit chips;

a second of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, coupled to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the first spacer layer;

a second spacer layer coupled to the second of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the second of the integrated circuit chips;

a third of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, coupled to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the second spacer layer;

a metal frame; and

connection mechanisms for coupling the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip to the metal frame.

45. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 44, wherein the first and second spacer layers are passive silicon layers.

46. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 44, wherein the first and second spacer layers are formed of die attach paste.

47. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 44, wherein the first and second spacer layers are formed of die attach films.

48. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 44, wherein the first and second spacer layers are formed of die attach paste or films having wire penetrating capability.

49. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 48, wherein the connection mechanism coupling the integrated circuit chips to the metal frame penetrate through the first and second spacer layers.

50. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip process at least 16 transducer channels.

51. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip processes a plurality of transducer channels ranging from 16 channels to 64 channels.

52. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip each process at least 16 transducer channels.

53. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip each process at least 32 transducer channels.

54. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip process at least 64 transducer channels.

55. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip are implemented as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

56. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the multi-chip module is fabricated using laminated multi-chip module fabrication technology.

57. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the multi-chip module is fabricated using deposited multi-chip module fabrication technology.

58. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the multi-chip module is fabricated using ceramic multi-chip module fabrication technology.

59. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the multi-chip module is accommodated on a circuit board for the ultrasound engine.

60. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 59, wherein the circuit board for the ultrasound engine further comprises:

one or more additional multi-chip modules vertically stacked over the multi-chip module on the circuit board, each of the additional multi-chip modules including an additional ultrasound transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, an additional amplifier integrated circuit chip, and an additional beamformer integrated circuit chip assembled in a stacked configuration within the multi-chip module.

61. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 60, wherein the circuit board has a maximum length of about 10 cm and a maximum width of about 10 cm.

62. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 60, wherein the circuit board has a maximum area of about 100 cm².

63. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the system has 32 channels implemented on a single circuit board for the ultrasound engine.

64. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the system has 64 channels implemented on a single circuit board for the ultrasound engine.

65. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the system processes data from 128-192 transducer channels connected by cable to the housing containing a single circuit board for the ultrasound beamforming circuit.

66. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 43, wherein the processor is operative to execute program instructions from the memory to detect a plurality of gestures on the touch screen display, thereby selectively initiating a plurality of operational modes.

67. The portable medical ultrasound imaging system of claim 66, wherein the plurality of operational modes include two or more of:

a first operational mode for controlling penetration depth of ultrasound waves;

a second operational mode for performing freeze/store operations;

a third operational mode for controlling 2-dimensional image operations;

a fourth operational mode for performing gain control;

a fifth operational mode for performing color control;

a sixth operational mode for implementing a split screen display;

a seventh operational mode for performing PW imaging;

an eighth operational mode for controlling Cine/time-series image clip scrolling;

a ninth operational mode for controlling zoom and pan operations;

a tenth operational mode for performing Doppler and 2-dimensional beam steering control; and

an eleventh operational mode for performing body marking.

68. A multi-chip module for an ultrasound beamformer configured to perform ultrasound-specific operations in a portable medical ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

a substrate;

a first of a transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, an amplifier integrated circuit chip, and a beamformer integrated circuit chip, coupled to the substrate so as to extend parallel to the substrate;

a first spacer layer coupled to the first of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the first of the integrated circuit chips;

a second of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, coupled to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the first spacer layer;

a second spacer layer coupled to the second of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the second of the integrated circuit chips;

a third of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, coupled to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the second spacer layer;

a metal frame; and

connection mechanisms for coupling the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip to the metal frame.

69. The multi-chip module of claim 68, wherein the first and second spacer layers are passive silicon layers.

70. The multi-chip module of claim 68, wherein the first and second spacer layers are formed of die attach paste.

71. The multi-chip module of claim 68, wherein the first and second spacer layers are formed of die attach films.

72. The multi-chip module of claim 68, wherein the first and second spacer layers are formed of die attach paste or films having wire penetrating capability.

73. The multi-chip module of claim 72, wherein the connection mechanism coupling the integrated circuit chips to the metal frame penetrate through the first and second spacer layers.

74. The multi-chip module of claim 68, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip each have a minimum of 16 channels.

75. The multi-chip module of claim 68, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip each have a number of channels ranging from 16 channels to 64 channels.

76. The multi-chip module of claim 68, wherein the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip each have 16 channels.

77. An ultrasound engine configured for performing ultrasound-specific operations in a portable medical ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

a circuit board including a multi-chip module as set forth in claim 68.

78. An ultrasound engine configured for performing ultrasound-specific operations in a portable medical ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

a circuit board including a plurality of multi-chip modules as set forth in claim 68.

79. The ultrasound engine of claim 78, wherein the circuit board has a maximum length of about 10 cm and a maximum width of about 10 cm.

80. The ultrasound engine of claim 78, wherein the circuit board has a maximum area of about 100 cm².

81. A method of assembling a portable medical ultrasound imaging system, the method comprising:

providing a housing in a tablet form factor, the housing having a front panel;

disposing a computer in the housing, the computer including at least one processor and at least one memory;

disposing a touch screen display on the front panel of the housing and communicably connecting the touch screen display to the computer; and

assembling an ultrasound transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, an amplifier integrated circuit chip, and a beamformer integrated circuit chip as a vertically stacked multi-chip module for an ultrasound engine;

integrating the multi-chip module in the ultrasound engine; and

disposing the ultrasound engine in the housing and communicably connecting the ultrasound engine to the computer.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein assembly of the vertically stacked multi-chip module comprises:

providing a substrate;

coupling a first of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip to the substrate so as to extend parallel to the substrate;

coupling a first spacer layer to the first of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the first of the integrated circuit chips;

coupling a second of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the first spacer layer;

coupling a second spacer layer to the second of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the second of the integrated circuit chips;

coupling a third of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the second spacer layer;

providing a metal frame; and

coupling the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip to the metal frame.

83. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

assembling a second ultrasound transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, a second amplifier integrated circuit chip, and a second beamformer integrated circuit chip as a second vertically stacked multi-chip module for an ultrasound engine; and

integrating the second multi-chip module in the ultrasound engine.

84. A method for assembling a vertically stacked multi-chip module for use in an ultrasound engine of a portable medical ultrasound imaging system, the method comprising:

providing a substrate;

coupling a first of a transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, an amplifier integrated circuit chip, and a beamformer integrated circuit chip to the substrate so as to extend parallel to the substrate;

coupling a first spacer layer to the first of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the first of the integrated circuit chips;

coupling a second of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the first spacer layer;

coupling a second spacer layer to the second of the integrated circuit chips so as to extend parallel to the second of the integrated circuit chips;

coupling a third of the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip, to the first spacer layer so as to extend parallel to the second spacer layer;

providing a metal frame; and

coupling the transmit/receive integrated circuit chip, the amplifier integrated circuit chip, and the beamformer integrated circuit chip to the metal frame.