Ultrasound transducer connector assembly

• US 6,440,076 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Sudol, Wojtek, Kelly, Walter Patrick Jr., Dolan, David P, Gurrie, Francis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Maulin
• Application Number:
  US09/711,055
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 600/449, 600/463, 600/461, 600/460, 600/432, 600/459, 118/916, 439/606
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/44 Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4427 Device being portable or laptop-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• 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: H01R 13/193 Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part , e.g. zero insertion force or no friction
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5845 the strain relief being achieved by molding parts around cable and connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6581 Shield structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence

Abstract

An ultrasound transducer connector for connecting a transducer to a terminal on an ultrasound unit, the ultrasound transducer connector including a shell; a LIF connector supported by the shell; and a cable electrically connected to the LIF connector that electrically connects the LIF connector to the transducer.

Claims

1. An ultrasound transducer connector for connecting a transducer to a terminal on an ultrasound unit, the ultrasound transducer connector comprising:

a shell;

a connector supported by the shell;

a cable that electrically connects the connector to the transducer; and

latching means that mechanically secures the connector to the terminal, wherein the latching means is actuated by a button to retract at least one protrusion.

2. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 1, wherein the latching means comprises a leaf spring latch.

3. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is a non-ZIF connector.

4. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is a LIF connector.

5. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 1, wherein the connector has a volume of less than or equal to 10 cubic inches.

6. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 1,

wherein the connector has a weight of less than or equal to 200 grams.

7. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 1, further comprising:

a single printed circuit board that integrates the circuits of the connector.

8. An ultrasound transducer connector for connecting a transducer to a terminal on an ultrasound unit, the ultrasound transducer connector comprising:

a shell;

a LIF connector supported by the shell;

a cable that electrically connects the LIF connector to the transducer; and

a latch mechanism that mechanically translates a movement imparted by a user so as to retract at least one protrusion.

9. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 8, wherein the latch mechanism is a leaf spring latch that biases a protrusion outward from the shell and when pressed moves the protrusion toward the shell.

10. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 8, wherein the latch mechanism comprises:

a least one protrusion; and

a button that, when activated, retracts the protrusion at least part way into the shell.

11. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 8, wherein the latch mechanism comprises:

a button that receives a motion from a user;

a first rigid area that mechanically connects the button to a first protrusion, such that when the button moves in a first direction, the first protrusion also moves in the first direction;

a first actuator rod in communication with the button, such that when the button moves in the first direction, the first actuator rod is forced in the first direction;

a pivot portion having a first end connected to the first actuator rod such that when the button is moved in the first direction a second end of the pivot portion moves in a second direction; and

a second actuator rod connected to the second end of the pivot portion that couples the motion of the second end of the pivot portion to a second protrusion.

12. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 8, further comprising a spring portion that biases the first protrusion in the second direction and the second protrusion in the first direction.

13. A portable ultrasound device comprising:

a main unit including a terminal; and

a probe assembly including;

a transducer;

a connector for connecting the transducer to the terminal on the main unit, the ultrasound transducer connector including;

a shell;

a connector supported by the shell;

a cable that electrically connects the LIF connector to the transducer; and

latching means for mechanically securing the electrical connector to the terminal, the latching means comprising;

a button that receives a motion from a user;

a first rigid area that mechanically connects the button to a first protrusion, such that when the button moves in a first direction, the first protrusion also moves in the first direction;

a first actuator rod in communication with the button, such that when the button moves in the first direction, the first actuator rod is forced in the first direction;

a pivot portion having a first end connected to the first actuator rod such that when the button is moved in the first direction a second end of the pivot portion moves in a second direction; and

a second actuator rod connected to the second end of the pivot portion that couples the motion of the second end of the pivot portion to a second protrusion.

14. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 13, wherein the latching means comprises a leaf spring latch.

15. The ultrasound transducer connector of claim 13, wherein the connector is a LIF connector.