Ultrasound diagnostic instrument having software in detachable scanhead

• US 6,364,839 B1
• Filed: 05/03/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sonosite Incorporated (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Quistgaard, Jens U., Little, Blake W., Catallo, Leo R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Imam, Ali M.
• Application Number:
  US09/564,601
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 600/440-447, 600/450-459, 736/25, 736/26, 439/374
• 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 8/06 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 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/44 Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4433 involving a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4477 using several separate ultrasound transducers or probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/899 Combination of imaging systems with ancillary equipment
• 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: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An ultrasound diagnostic instrument includes a console having electronic circuitry for processing electrical signals for display including a digital processor and a memory for storing software for use with the processor, and a first connector coupled to the memory and processor. A transducer scanhead for generating ultrasound waves and receiving reflected ultrasound waves is connected through a cable and a second connector to the first connector and to the digital processor. A second memory external to the console is provided for communicating with the digital processor through the second connector, the second memory storing software and data necessary for use of the transducer scanhead in the ultrasound diagnostic instrument. The second memory can be provided in the transducer scanhead or in the second connector and can include operational data unique to the transducer scanhead, operational software for executing unique functions with the transducer scanhead, and updates and upgrades of system executable code that resides in memory within the console, thereby obviating the need for manual field upgrade or system swap when a new function, application, or transducer scanhead is required.

Claims

1. An ultrasound diagnostic instrument comprising

a) a console including display electronic circuitry for processing electrical signals for display including a digital processor, a first memory and a first connector coupled to the processor and first memory,

b) a transducer scanhead for generating ultrasound waves and receiving reflected or scattered ultrasound waves,

c) means for coupling the transducer scanhead to the console for transmitting electrical signals to and from the scanhead, and

d) a second memory associated with the scanhead and outside of the console and communicating with the console through a second connector, the second memory storing software and data necessary for use of the transducer scanhead in the ultrasound diagnostic instrument.

2. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the software and data stored in the second memory include operational data unique to the transducer scanhead.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the software and data include at least one of physical parameters, operational data for the scanhead, and executable code.

4. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the software and data include operational software for executing unique functions with the transducer scanhead.

5. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 4 wherein the operational software provides unique diagnostic analysis.

6. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 5 wherein the unique diagnostic analysis is selected from a group including cardiac analysis, neo-natal analysis, gynecology analysis and prostate analysis.

7. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the software and data stored in the second memory includes system executable code for the digital processor.

8. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 7 wherein the system executable code comprises a software update and upgrade of system executable code in the first memory.

9. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 8 wherein the system executable code permits new applications of the instrument.

10. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 8 wherein system executable code permits use of a new transducer scanhead in the instrument.

11. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the second memory resides in the transducer scanhead.

12. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the second memory resides in the second connector, the second connector being connected to the means for coupling and mating with the first connector in the console.

13. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the second memory resides in the means for coupling.

14. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the console further includes a display for processed electrical signals.

15. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the console includes internal memory for storing processed electrical signals for display at a remote facility.

16. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 15 wherein the internal memory includes data encryption for data from the transducer scanhead to the console.

17. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 and further including a console memory within the console for storing software for use with the processor.

18. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the means for coupling comprises a cable.

19. The ultrasound diagnostic instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein the means for coupling is wireless.