Ultrasound imaging systems and methods of performing ultrasound procedures
First Claim
1. An ultrasound system, comprising:
- a base unit;
a cordless removable battery pack comprising a battery, a housing of the battery and electrical contacts on the housing;
a removable cable assembly; and
a probe in communication with the base unit, comprising;
a housing of the probe, the housing of the probe including a single mating surface configured to receive both of the cordless removable battery pack and a first electrical connector of the removable cable assembly at different times, wherein the same mating surface electrical contacts only couples either the cordless removable battery pack or the first electrical connector of the removable cable assembly to the probe at a time;
a transducer array positioned within the housing, wherein the transducer array emits acoustical energy and receives return reflections of the acoustical energy; and
a transmitter, within the housing of the probe, mounted on a circuit substrate and communicatively coupled to the transducer array, wherein the transmitter stimulates the transducer array to emit acoustical energy, and the transmitter is configured to receive power, via the mating surface electrical contacts, from either the cordless removable battery pack or the first electrical connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasound imaging systems can include a probe, and a cable that can be removably connected to the probe. The probes for ultrasound imaging systems may include a transducer array that emits acoustical energy and receives return reflections of the acoustical energy, a circuit board, a transmitter mounted on the circuit board and communicatively coupled to the transducer array for transmitting information relating to the return reflections, and a housing. The housing has an interior volume and the transducer array, the circuit board, and the transmitter are positioned in the interior volume. A battery pack may be removably mounted to the housing. The battery pack may provide electrical power for the transducer array.
88 Citations
40 Claims
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1. An ultrasound system, comprising:
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a base unit; a cordless removable battery pack comprising a battery, a housing of the battery and electrical contacts on the housing; a removable cable assembly; and a probe in communication with the base unit, comprising; a housing of the probe, the housing of the probe including a single mating surface configured to receive both of the cordless removable battery pack and a first electrical connector of the removable cable assembly at different times, wherein the same mating surface electrical contacts only couples either the cordless removable battery pack or the first electrical connector of the removable cable assembly to the probe at a time; a transducer array positioned within the housing, wherein the transducer array emits acoustical energy and receives return reflections of the acoustical energy; and a transmitter, within the housing of the probe, mounted on a circuit substrate and communicatively coupled to the transducer array, wherein the transmitter stimulates the transducer array to emit acoustical energy, and the transmitter is configured to receive power, via the mating surface electrical contacts, from either the cordless removable battery pack or the first electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An ultrasound system, comprising:
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a probe comprising a housing and a transducer array positioned within the housing, wherein the transducer array emits acoustical energy and receives return reflections of the acoustical energy, the housing including a single mating surface and a first electrical contact, the first electrical contact disposed either within or on the mating surface, a cableless battery pack capable of being removably connected to the probe housing at the mating surface, and configured to provide power to the probe through the first electrical contact, and a cable assembly comprising a first electrical connector capable of being removably connected to the probe housing at the mating surface, and configured to provide power to the probe through the first electrical contact, wherein the same mating surface first electrical contact only couples at one time either the cordless removable battery pack or the first electrical connector of the removable cable assembly to the probe. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for performing an ultrasound procedure, comprising:
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providing a probe comprising a housing and a transducer array positioned within the housing, wherein the transducer array emits acoustical energy and receives return reflections of the acoustical energy, the housing including at least a single mating surface and a first electrical contact, the first electrical contact disposed either within or on the mating surface, wherein the mating surface is configured to receive a cordless removable battery pack or a first electrical connector of a removable cable assembly, wherein the first electrical contact only couples at one time either the cordless removable battery pack or the first electrical connector of the removable cable assembly to the probe; and providing a base unit that is configured to concurrently communicate power and information with the probe via the first electrical connector of the removable cable assembly when the first electrical connector is connected to the mating surface of the probe, and to concurrently communicate information with the probe wirelessly when the cordless removable battery pack is connected to the mating surface. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification