Methods and apparatus for conformable medical data acquisition pad and configurable imaging system

• US 8,764,664 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vizyontech Imaging, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vizyontech Imaging, Inc.
• Inventors: Kahraman, Firat, Callahan, Karla M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Unsu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Santos Rodriguez, Joseph M
• Application Number:
  US11/562,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,778 Days
• Field of Search: 600/447, 600/459, 367/140, 735/96
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4263 using sensors not mounted on the probe, e.g. mounted on an external reference frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4488 the transducer being a phased array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0292 Electrostatic transducers, e.g. electret-type
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8922 the array being concentric or annular
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8925 the array being a two-dimensional transducer configuration, i.e. matrix or orthogonal linear arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8927 using simultaneously or sequentially two or more subarrays or subapertures
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52036 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/5208 with integration of processing functions inside probe or scanhead

Abstract

A conformable medical data acquisition pad and configurable imaging system. The conformable pad may comprise a carrier base having a plurality of transceivers in operative association with an interconnection network that communicates with a computer system. The data acquisition pad may be constructed with a flex circuit and at least one ultrasound data collection device to carry out a variety of medical procedures. Different types of signal transmitting and receiving elements can be selected to provide ultrasound systems, including scalable capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers arranged in a variety of configurations in combination with controlling electronics which interface with a translator board and software for signal processing. The resulting ultrasound data, such as a three-dimensional model, can be transmitted via an industry standard high speed bus to standard interfaces on various ultrasound systems.

Claims

1. A portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals comprising:

an array configured of a plurality of individually addressable capacitive microfabricated ultrasound transceivers (cMUTs) connected to conductive pathways;

an interconnection network electrically connected to the plurality of individually addressable cMUTs and the conductive pathways to provide for power and control;

a tacky cured polymeric semi-solid gel sheet supporting the plurality of cMUTs, the interconnection network and the conductive pathways, the plurality of cMUTs, the interconnection network and the conductive pathways being at least partially embedded within the tacky cured polymeric semi-solid gel sheet; and

self-powered and controlling electronics assembly, including a computer system, coupled to the conductive pathway to selectively control and operate one or more groups of cMUTs, within the plurality of individually addressable cMUTs to image an area of concern of a subject,

wherein the electronics assembly, including the computer system, also electronically activates the one or more groups of cMUTs within the plurality of individually addressable cMUTs to send ultrasound analysis signals and/or receive ultrasound acquisition signals;

wherein at least some of the plurality of individually addressable cMUTs that are electrically connected to the interconnection network and the conductive pathways are configured for both sending ultrasound analysis signals and receiving ultrasound detection signals.

2. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one silicon chip for hosting a group of cMUTs, wherein the cMUTs are solid-state structures arranged to provide a one-dimensional or a two-dimensional array.

3. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cMUTs comprise one or more of the following:

silicon, piezoelectric, infrared or electromigration sensors or transceivers.

4. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the conductive pathway includes a flex circuit formed of single or multiple levels of metal traces connected to a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs).

5. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controlling electronics assembly is directly connected to or integrally formed with the data acquisition device.

6. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet can be configured to provide a flat, curved or conical structure that is rigid, flexible, or conformable.

7. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet is formed with as a square shape three inches by three inches, or circular shape four to six inches in diameter, or a strip configuration two inches by four inches, which is selected based on the type of imaging to be performed, and further customized according to a region to be imaged by incorporating cut-outs or slits for best conformability.

8. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device is further configured for acquiring images during one or more of the following procedures:

breast tissue imaging, surgical guidance, skin procedures and emergency response.

9. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data acquisition device is constructed from one or more single-use materials in a configuration that is disposable.

10. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data acquisition device can be configured for operator-independent stationary hands-free data acquisition.

11. The portable ultrasound imaging data acquisition device for sending and receiving ultrasound signals, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an electronics board and computer processing system operatively coupled to the data acquisition device to manipulate, store and prepare data into an ultrasound data set, or a 2D, 3D, or 4D image.