Ultrasonic transducer having distributed weight properties

• US 7,867,168 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sonosite Incorporated (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Dunbar, Lee, Little, Blake W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): KISH, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US11/599,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20070071266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 600/459, 600/437, 600/443, 600/446, 600/463
• 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 8/4444 related to the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8909 using a static transducer configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/5208 with integration of processing functions inside probe or scanhead
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods which partition ultrasound signal processing between an ultrasound system main processing unit and transducer assembly are shown. A particular division of signal processing functionality disposed in the main processing unit and the transducer assembly may be selected to provide a desired weight balance, a desired level of processing for data communication between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly, etcetera. Battery capacity may additionally or alternatively be partitioned between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an ultrasound transducer assembly including an ultrasound transducer array and signal processing circuitry coupled to said transducer array operable to process analog signals from said transducer array and provide digital information there from;

a main processing unit separate from said ultrasound transducer assembly and in communication therewith operable to receive said digital information from said ultrasound transducer assembly; and

a digital data cable coupled between said ultrasound transducer assembly and said main processing unit carrying said digital information there between;

wherein said system is powered by a battery power source, wherein portions of the battery power source are distributed between the ultrasound transducer assembly and the main processing unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said distribution of said battery source is configured at least in part to result in a desired total weight of said ultrasound transducer assembly, wherein said desired total minimum weight is configured to counterbalance torque forces felt by a user of said transducer assembly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein an amount of said processing circuitry included in said ultrasound transducer assembly is configured at least in part to result in a desired total weight of said ultrasound transducer assembly.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing circuitry comprises a digital beam former coupled to said transducer array.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said processing circuitry comprises a digital signal processor coupled to said digital beam former.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said digital cable is configured to convey power from said main processing unit to said ultrasound transducer assembly for charging a battery therein.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein an amount of said processing circuitry included in said ultrasound transducer assembly is configured at least in part to facilitate a wireless communication link between said ultrasonic transducer assembly and said main processing unit.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound transducer assembly further includes a first radio frequency transceiver and said main processing unit includes a wireless transceiver, and wherein said digital information is carried between said ultrasound transducer assembly and said main processing unit using said first and second wireless transceivers.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first and second wireless transceivers comprise radio frequency transceivers.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said first and second wireless transceivers provide communication of said digital information using a standardized wireless communication protocol.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said standardized wireless communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of a wireless local area network protocol and a wireless personal area network protocol.

12. A method comprising:

providing an ultrasound transducer assembly having a transducer array and signal processing circuitry coupled to said transducer array;

providing a main processing unit having signal processing circuitry in communication with said signal processing circuitry of said ultrasound transducer assembly via digital data communication wherein said ultrasound transducer assembly is connected to said main processing unit with a digital data cable configured to carry said digital information there between; and

distributing battery capacity between said ultrasound transducer assembly and said main processing unit to provide a desired distribution of weight between said ultrasound transducer assembly and said main processing unit.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

distributing signal processing circuitry between said signal processing circuitry of said ultrasound transducer assembly and said signal processing circuitry of said main processing unit to provide a desired distribution of weight between said ultrasound transducer assembly and said main processing unit.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said digital data communication is provided by a wireless connection.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said desired total distribution of weight is configured to provide sufficient weight to said transducer assembly to counterbalance torque forces felt by a user of said transducer assembly.