PORTABLE ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS

• US 20130012817A1
• Filed: 07/03/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Medison Company Limited (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Medison Company Limited (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: AHN, Mi Jeoung
• Granted Patent: US 9,095,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/441
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4427 Device being portable or laptop-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/462 characterised by constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/466 adapted to display 3D data 3D imaging and stereoscopic displays in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S15/8993 and G01S7/52068, respectively; 3D image rendering G06T15/00; manipulating 3D models for computer graphics G06T19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/469 for selection of a region of interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5215 involving processing of medical diagnostic data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/54 Control of the diagnostic device

Abstract

A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe, and a main body including a display unit provided on a front surface of the main body. An input device is provided at a rear surface of the main body to receive user command information from a user, which allows the user to operate the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a hand that is gripping the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The apparatus may be used by moving the ultrasonic probe in contact with a surface of an object, sending ultrasonic signals from the object surface, receiving reflected ultrasonic signals from the object, and converting the ultrasonic signals into electrical signals.

Claims

1. A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

an ultrasonic probe; and

a main body including a display unit provided on a front surface of the main body;

an input device provided at a rear surface of the main body configured to receive user command information from a user.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes:

a beam former configured to produce frame data by focusing ultrasonic signals received from the ultrasonic probe;

an ultrasonic data producer configured to produce ultrasonic data via digital signal processing of the frame data;

an ultrasonic image producer configured to produce the ultrasonic image using the ultrasonic data; and

a controller configured to control display of the ultrasonic image and a user interface according to the user command information.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control a provision of the user interface and optimization of the ultrasonic image according to the user command information.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device includes a track ball.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the track ball is configured to input the user command information corresponding to a request and selection of the user interface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the track ball is configured to input the user command information corresponding to a setting request of a region of interest included in the ultrasonic image, a size adjusting request of the region of interest, and a movement request of the region of interest.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input device includes at least one button provided at upper and lower sides or left and right sides of the track ball.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one button includes a first button to change for changing a display mode of the ultrasonic image or a second button to pause for pausing a display screen of the ultrasonic image.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device includes an image mode change button to change for changing an ultrasonic image mode.

10. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input device includes a touch panel.

11. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input device is separably coupled to the main body.

12. A method of producing an ultrasonic image using a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

an ultrasonic probe; and

a main body including a display unit provided on a front surface of the main body;

an input device provided at a rear surface of the main body configured to receive user command information from a user,

wherein the method comprises the steps of;

moving the ultrasonic probe in contact with a surface of an object,

sending ultrasonic signals from the object surface,

receiving reflected ultrasonic signals from the object, and

converting the ultrasonic signals into electrical signals.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further comprises:

a beam former configured to produce frame data by focusing ultrasonic signals received from the ultrasonic probe;

an ultrasonic data producer configured to produce ultrasonic data via digital signal processing of the frame data;

an ultrasonic image producer configured to produce the ultrasonic image using the ultrasonic data; and

a controller configured to control display of the ultrasonic image and a user interface according to the user command information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the ultrasonic image includes at least one from the group consisting of:

a Brightness (B) mode image, a Color (C) mode image, a Pulsed-Wave (PW) mode image, a Motion (M) mode image, a Doppler (D) mode image, and a Continuous Wave (CW) mode image.