Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for power control
First Claim
1. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for reducing power consumption, the system comprising:
- an ultrasound data path comprising at least a first electrical component;
an ultrasound processing control operatively connected with the ultrasound data path and comprising at least a second electrical component; and
a source of power operatively connected with the ultrasound data path and the ultrasound processing control;
wherein at least one of the first and second electrical components has a full power mode during use and a low power mode during at least one non-use period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for providing consistent power and reducing power consumption for an ultrasound system are provided. The ultrasound system is provided with an uninterruptable power supply. Power is provided from an outlet through the uninterruptable power supply to the ultrasound scanner. If the power from the outlet falls below a threshold is of an insufficient quality or is otherwise unavailable, the uninterruptable power supply provides power. For mobility, the uninterruptable power supply provides power, avoiding the need to plug the ultrasound system into an outlet. To reduce the drain on the uninterruptable power supply or other source of power, the ultrasound system includes power reduction systems and methods. One or more electrical components, subsystems or the entire ultrasound system is operated in a reduced power state while not in use. For example, some digital electrical components draw more power in response to clock signal triggers. The clock signal provided to one or more digital electrical components is decreased in frequency or set to steady state, decreasing the amount of power used.
52 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for reducing power consumption, the system comprising:
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an ultrasound data path comprising at least a first electrical component;
an ultrasound processing control operatively connected with the ultrasound data path and comprising at least a second electrical component; and
a source of power operatively connected with the ultrasound data path and the ultrasound processing control;
wherein at least one of the first and second electrical components has a full power mode during use and a low power mode during at least one non-use period. - 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)
wherein the signal processor component comprises a B-mode detector component, the B-mode detector component being in the low power mode and the Doppler estimation components being in the full power mode.
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8. The system of claim 5 further comprising B-mode detection components;
wherein the signal processor component comprises a Doppler estimation component, the Doppler estimation component being in the low power mode and the B-mode detection component being in the full power mode.
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9. The system of claim 3 wherein the ultrasound data path comprises a plurality of sub-systems, at least a first sub-system in the full power mode at a first time and at least a second sub-system in the low power mode at the first time.
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10. The system of claim 3 wherein the ultrasound data path consists of a plurality of sub-systems each in a low power mode at a same time.
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11. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and second electrical components comprises the second electrical component.
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12. The system of claim 11 wherein the second electrical component comprises a processor.
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13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a clock input to the at least one of the first and second electrical components, the clock input providing a reduced frequency signal during the low power mode.
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14. The system of claim 13 wherein the reduced frequency signal comprises a constant signal.
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15. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and second electrical components comprises a field programmable gate array, the field programmable gate array being in an unprogrammed state for the low power mode.
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16. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and second electrical components comprises a component with a sleep-mode input, the low and full power modes responsive to a signal at the sleep-mode input.
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17. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and second electrical components comprises a digital component.
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18. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and second electrical components comprises an analog component.
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19. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one non-use period comprises a period reoccurring substantially at a frame rate.
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20. The system of claim 1 wherein the low power mode is entered in response to a time period.
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21. The system of claim 1 wherein the low power mode is entered in response to a configuration of the system.
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22. The system of claim 1 wherein the source comprises an uninterruptable power supply.
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23. The system of claim 1 wherein the source comprises a battery.
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24. In a medical diagnostic ultrasound system for generating data for an ultrasound image of a region of a patient with a plurality of electrical components, the plurality of electrical components comprising a transmit beamformer, a receive beamformer, at least one signal processor and a scan converter, the improvement comprising:
a power mode control path operatively connected with at least one of the plurality of electrical components, the at least one of the plurality of electrical components responsive to a signal from the power mode control path to change between a decreased-power state and an increased-power state, both the increased- and decreased-power states different than an off state. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A medical diagnostic ultrasound method for reducing power consumption by an ultrasound system, the method comprising the acts of:
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(a) generating an ultrasound image with the ultrasound system;
(b) placing at least one component of an ultrasound data path of the ultrasound system in a low-power state. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
(c) performing (b) in response to a configuration.
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43. The method of claim 41 further comprising:
(c) performing (b) in response to unused bandwidth.
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44. The method of claim 36 further comprising:
providing power to the ultrasound system with a battery.
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45. A medical diagnostic ultrasound configuration for uninterrupted power supply, the ultrasound configuration comprising:
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an ultrasound system comprising an ultrasound beamformer and an ultrasound signal processor;
a power input operatively connected with the ultrasound system; and
an uninterruptable power supply operatively connected with the power input. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A medical diagnostic ultrasound method for uninterrupted power supply to an ultrasound system, the ultrasound method comprising the acts of:
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(a) powering the ultrasound system comprising an ultrasound beamformer and an ultrasound signal processor;
(b) powering an uninterruptable power supply from a power outlet; and
(c) powering the ultrasound system with the uninterruptable power supply. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
(d) adapting the ultrasound system for hand carrying portability.
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53. The ultrasound method of claim 51 further comprising:
(d) positioning the ultrasound system and the uninterruptable power supply on a cart.
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54. The ultrasound method of claim 51 further comprising:
(d) plugging the uninterruptable power supply into a standard power outlet.
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55. The ultrasound method of claim 51 wherein (b) comprises charging a battery of the uninterruptable power supply.
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56. The ultrasound method of claim 51 further comprising:
(d) drawing less than 100 Watts with the ultrasound system.
Specification