Low power ultrasound system
First Claim
1. A low power ultrasound imaging device, comprising:
- a base unit including an image processor and a display;
an ultrasound probe operably connected to the base unit, the probe including;
a head portion including a crystal transducer array;
a plurality of pulser/receiver modules that cause the transducer array to emit a plurality of ultrasonic transmit pulses, the pulser/receiver modules configured to receive analog signals relating to ultrasonic echo receive pulses detected by the transducer array;
a single low noise amplifier that amplifies the analog signals;
a single analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog signals to a digital signal;
a processing unit that controls the pulser/receiver modules and the analog-to-digital converter, the pulser/receiver modules causing the transducer array to fire and re-fire the plurality of transducers at the target object and to receive data by only one transducer of the plurality of transducers sequentially until the target object is scanned; and
an interface for enabling the digital signal to be transferred from the ultrasound probe to the image processor of the base unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low power ultrasound system for use in sonography applications, including vascular imaging, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the low power ultrasound system comprises a base unit that includes an image processor and a display. An ultrasound probe is operably connected to the base unit. The probe includes a head portion including an array of crystal transducers. A plurality of pulser/receiver modules that cause the transducers to emit ultrasonic transmit pulses are also included in the probe. The pulser/receiver modules are further configured to receive analog signals relating to ultrasonic echo receive pulses detected by the transducers. The probe includes a singular low noise amplifier that amplifies the analog signals, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog signals to a digital signal. A wireless interface is included for enabling the digital signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the probe to the image processor of the base unit.
150 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A low power ultrasound imaging device, comprising:
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a base unit including an image processor and a display; an ultrasound probe operably connected to the base unit, the probe including; a head portion including a crystal transducer array; a plurality of pulser/receiver modules that cause the transducer array to emit a plurality of ultrasonic transmit pulses, the pulser/receiver modules configured to receive analog signals relating to ultrasonic echo receive pulses detected by the transducer array; a single low noise amplifier that amplifies the analog signals; a single analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog signals to a digital signal; a processing unit that controls the pulser/receiver modules and the analog-to-digital converter, the pulser/receiver modules causing the transducer array to fire and re-fire the plurality of transducers at the target object and to receive data by only one transducer of the plurality of transducers sequentially until the target object is scanned; and an interface for enabling the digital signal to be transferred from the ultrasound probe to the image processor of the base unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A low power ultrasound probe for use in wirelessly transmitting ultrasonic image data to a base unit for production of an ultrasonic image, the low power ultrasound probe comprising:
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an outer covering housing a plurality internal probe components, the internal probe components including; a head portion including a plurality of transducers; a plurality of pulser/receiver modules that cause the transducers to emit a plurality of ultrasonic transmit pulses, the pulser/receiver modules further configured to receive analog signals relating to a plurality of ultrasonic echo receive pulses detected by at least one of the transducers; a multiplexer that combines the analog signals into a multiplexed analog signal; a single low noise amplifier that amplifies the multiplexed analog signal; a single analog-to-digital converter that converts the multiplexed analog signal to a digital signal; a processing unit that controls the pulser/receiver modules and the analog-to-digital converter, the pulser/receiver modules causing the transducer array to fire and re-fire the plurality of transducers at the target object and to receive data by only one transducer of the plurality of transducers sequentially until the target object is scanned; and a wireless interface enabling the digital signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the low power ultrasound probe to an image processor of the base unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification