U.S. patent application number 10/997062 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for modular portable ultrasound systems.
Invention is credited to Brodsky, Michael, Chiang, Alice M., Maurer, David, Wong, William.
Application Number | 20050251035 10/997062 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34652308 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050251035 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wong, William ; et
al. |
November 10, 2005 |
Modular portable ultrasound systems
Abstract
The present invention relates to a lightweight, high resolution
portable ultrasound system using components and methods to improve
connectivity and ease of use. A preferred embodiment includes an
integrated system in which the beamformer control circuitry can be
inserted into the host computer as a peripheral or within the
processor housing. The modular system can include a docking
assembly for a cart system having a console to operate the system
and house additional communications and peripheral systems.
Inventors: |
Wong, William; (Milton,
MA) ; Brodsky, Michael; (Brookline, MA) ;
Chiang, Alice M.; (Weston, MA) ; Maurer, David;
(Stoneham, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEINGARTEN, SCHURGIN, GAGNEBIN & LEBOVICI LLP
TEN POST OFFICE SQUARE
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Family ID: |
34652308 |
Appl. No.: |
10/997062 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60525208 |
Nov 26, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/437 ;
600/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 8/00 20130101; G01S
15/899 20130101; A61B 8/4438 20130101; G01S 7/52082 20130101; A61B
8/4472 20130101; A61B 8/58 20130101; G01S 15/89 20130101; A61B
2560/0456 20130101; G01S 7/5208 20130101; A61B 8/4427 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/437 ;
600/459 |
International
Class: |
A61B 008/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising: an ultrasound image
processor housing having a display and a first docking connector; a
base assembly that receives the processor housing, the base
assembly having a second docking connector; and a control element
on the base assembly that controls an operation of an image
processor in the processor housing such that ultrasound image data
are displayed on the display.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transducer probe
connector on the processor housing.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the processor further comprises an
outer housing having the first docking connector, a computer, the
display and beamformer housing.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the beamformer housing further
comprises a plurality of transducer connectors.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein each transducer connector is
connected to a transmit and receive circuit.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein each transmit and receive circuit
is connected to a digital control circuit and a beamforming
circuit.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein the transducer connector includes
a housing connector element having a lock assembly.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the lock assembly comprises a
manually activated lever that mates with a catch on a transducer
probe connector element.
9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transducer
identification circuit.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the base assembly further
comprises a console, the control element being mounted to the
console.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the base assembly further
comprises a first universal serial bus (USB) hub.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first USB hub is connect to
a printer mounted on the base assembly.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the console further comprises a
second USB hub that is connected to the second docking
connector.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein the control element compromises a
plurality of controls that control operations of the image
processor.
15. The system of claim 3 wherein the beamformer housing includes a
beamformer device and a Firewire interface connected to the
computer.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein the image processor housing
further comprises an ethernet port, a USB port, as video port, a
microphone port, an EKG port, and a power source connector.
17. The system of claim 1 wherein the base assembly further
comprises a VCR.
18. The system of claim 13 wherein the second USB hub is connected
to the control element, a second ethernet port, a second USB port
and the first USB hub.
19. The system of claim 2 wherein the transducer probe connector
comprises a probe identification circuit.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the probe identification circuit
comprises a radio frequency link to a transducer probe to identify
the type of probe transmitting signals to the processor
housing.
21. The system of claim 2 wherein the connector has at least 160
pins and a pitch between pins of less than 1 mm.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein the connector has at least 250
pins.
23. The system of claim 21 wherein the pitch between pins is 0.8 mm
or less.
24. The system of claim 21 wherein the probe connector comprises an
insertion device.
25. The system of claim 24 wherein the insertion device comprises a
lever that engages the probe connector.
26. The system of claim 24 wherein the insertion device comprises a
lock assembly.
27. The system of claim 25 wherein the lever has a mating surface
that mates with a catch on the probe cable connector.
28. The system of claim 1 further comprising a beamformer housing
comprising a beamformer, a system controller, a memory, a standard
communication interface and a connector that connects the
beamformer housing to a transducer probe cable.
29. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
computer programs stored on a computer in the processor housing,
the programs including a scan conversion program, a doppler
processing program and a transucer identification program.
30. A portable ultrasound imaging system comprising: a probe
housing including a transducer array; a processor housing including
a port for receiving ultrasound image data from the probe housing;
and a probe identification circuit in the housing, the probe
identification circuit identifying each of a plurality of probes
that can communicate image data to the processor housing.
31. The system of claim 30 further comprising a cable that connects
the probe housing to the processor housing with a connector
system.
32. The system of claim 31 further comprising a cable connector
element and a housing connector element that can be attached with a
lock assembly.
33. The system of claim 32 wherein the lock assembly includes a
manually actuated lever that is attached to the housing and having
a mating surface that mates with a catch on the cable connector
element.
34. The system of claim 30 wherein the probe identification circuit
comprises an integrated circuit mounted on a connector system
assembly in the processor housing.
35. The system of claim 34 wherein the probe identification circuit
comprises a one-wire identification circuit.
36. The system of claim 34 wherein the probe identification circuit
comprises a programmable, writable and readable memory to store
calibration information.
37. The system of claim 30 wherein the processor housing further
comprises a display and a control panel.
38. The system of claim 30 wherein the processor housing includes a
beamforming circuit, a system controller and an image
processor.
39. The system of claim 38 further comprising an analog to digital
converter that receives beamformed data and a Firewire interface
that delivers converted beamformed data to the image processor.
40. A method of imaging a region of interest with ultrasound energy
comprising: providing a portable ultrasound imaging system
including a transducer array within a handheld probe, a cable
interface that is connected to a data processor housing having a
data processing system, and a peripheral device inserted into a
port of the processor housing, the peripheral device including a
connector for the cable interface, a beamforming device and a
system controller connected to the beamforming device, providing
output signals from the data processor to the handheld probe to
actuate the transducer array; delivering ultrasound energy to the
region of interest; collecting ultrasound energy returning to the
transducer array from the region of interest; transmitting data
from the handheld probe to the processor housing with the cable
interface; and performing a beamforming operation with the
beamforming device in the peripheral device such that the data
processing system receives a beamformed electronic representation
of the region of interest from the beamforming device.
41. The method of claim 40 further comprising providing a
peripheral device including a Firewire interface.
42. The method of claim 40 further comprising providing a probe
identification circuit in the peripheral device.
43. A portable ultrasound system for imaging a region of interest
comprising: a handheld probe in which a transducer array is
mounted; and a data processing system within a data processor
housing the housing including an electronic device that is
connected to the handheld probe with a cable interface, such that
the data processing system receives a representation of the region
of interest, from the electronic device using a communication
interface the electronic device including a programmable
beamforming device and a system controller connected to the
beamforming device.
44. The system of claim 43 further comprising a Firewire connection
between the electronic device and the data processing system.
45. The system of claim 43 further comprising a probe
identification circuit.
46. A connector device for a Transducer probe of an ultrasound
imaging system comprising: A transducer probe having a cable and a
first connector; a circuit housing having a second connector that
receives ultrasound image signals from the transducer probe; the
second connector having an actuator that engages the first
connector.
47. The connector of claim 46 wherein the actuator comprises a
lever that moves from a release position to an engage position.
48. The method of claim 43 wherein said gas sampling unit is
communicatively coupled to a communications network.
49. The connector of claim 46 wherein the first connector has
feature that is engaged by the actuator to move the second
connector into the first connector as the actuator moves from a
first position to a second position.
50. The connector of claim 46 wherein the connector has at least
160 pins and a pin pitch of less than 1 mm.
51. The connector of claim 50 wherein the connector has at least
250 pins and a pin pitch of 0.8 mm or less.
52. The connector of claim 46 wherein the actuator has a cam
element.
53. The connector of claim 46 wherein movement of the actuator from
an engage position to a release position disengages the second
connector from the first connector.
54. A method of using a connector assembly for an ultrasound system
comprising: moving a connector actuator from a first position to a
second position to engage a housing connector of an ultrasound
imaging device with a transducer probe connector.
55. The method of claim 54 further comprising identifying the
transducer probe with a probe identification circuit.
56. The method of claim 55 further comprising storing probe
identification data in a memory.
57. The method of claim 54 further comprising providing an
identification circuit mounted on the housing connector.
58. The method of claim 54 further comprising actuating a computer
program that accesses transducer data from a database in accordance
with an identified transducer.
59. The mehtod of claim 58 further comprising modifying the
transducer data or sending a transducer attach signal to an
application program or update a usage history or increment a
transducer usage counter or record a transducer detach signal.
60. A method of using a modular ultrasound imaging system
comprising; Connecting an image processor housing to a base
assembly; and operating a control element on the base assembly to
actuate an ultrasound imaging operation using the image processor
housing.
61. The method of claim 60 further comprising providing a base
assembly including a cart having a console with a docking port a
plurality of control elements to activate display of image data on
a display attached to the processor housing
62. The method of claim 60 further comprising providing a processor
housing having a laptop personal computer having a standard
graphical user interface having a Windows.RTM. format, the computer
being connected to a beamformer housing within the processor
housing using a firewire interface.
63. The method of claim 61 further comprising providing a console
having a first USB hub connected to USB port of the processor
housing and connected to a second USB hub in the base assembly.
64. The method of claim 60 further comprising providing a plurality
of transducer connectors on the processor housing.
65. The method of claim 60 further comprising providing an ethernet
port, and Sviseo port, an EKG port and a microphone port
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional Application
No. 60/525,208 filed Nov. 26, 2003 entitled: MODULAR PORTABLE
ULTRASOUND SYSTEM. The above application is incorporated entirely
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional ultrasound imaging systems typically include a
hand-held probe coupled by cables to a large rack-mounted console
processing and display unit. The probe typically includes an array
of ultrasonic transducers which transmit ultrasonic energy into a
region being examined and receive reflected ultrasonic energy
returning from the region. The transducers convert the received
ultrasonic energy into low-level electrical signals which are
transferred over the cable to the processing unit. The processing
unit applies appropriate beam forming techniques to combine the
signals from the transducers to generate an image of the region of
interest.
[0003] Typical conventional ultrasound systems include a transducer
array each transducer being associated with its own processing
circuitry located in the console processing unit. The processing
circuitry typically includes driver circuits which, in the transmit
mode, send precisely timed drive pulses to the transducer to
initiate transmission of the ultrasonic signal. These transmit
timing pulses are forwarded from the console processing unit along
the cable to the scan head. In the receive mode, beamforming
circuits of the processing circuitry introduce the appropriate
delay into each low-level electrical signal from the transducers to
dynamically focus the signals such that an accurate image can
subsequently be generated.
[0004] There still remains a need to provide stand-alone processing
ultrasound units with the necessary hardware, for example,
connectors to enable truly portable ultrasound systems that can
function on an independent platform. There is a need for an
ultrasound transducer connector assembly with an electrical
connector of minimal mechanical complexity, size and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The system and method of the present invention includes a
hand held transducer probe that is connected by wire or wireless
connection to a lightweight processing unit including a housing and
internal circuitry for processing signals received from the probe.
In a preferred embodiment the processing unit housing includes a
display and manual and/or virtual controls that can control the
display and processor operation, and a battery providing power to
the processor housing and the transducer array. A preferred
embodiment includes a console of a cart system to provide control
features of the modular system.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor
housing includes a transmit/receive (T/R) chip that communicates
with the transducer array. A system controller communicates with
the T/R chip, a local memory, a preamplifier/TGC chip, a charge
domain beamformer circuit and a standard high speed communication
interface such as IEEE 1394 USB connection to a system
processor.
[0007] A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a connector
system to secure the cable from the transducer probe to the
processor housing. The connector system preferably uses a smaller
lightweight connector than prior art systems yet meeting the
standard shielding and mechanical strength and integrity
requirements for medical ultrasound imaging systems.
[0008] A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a circuit
that identifies the type of transducer array that has been
connected to the housing. The circuit can be a single integrated
circuit contained in the housing connector module that communicates
with the processor and can include a memory storing calibration
data for each probe. The display screen will display probe type
information for the user. The connector system can include a
connector actuator or lock that can be manually actuated by the
user to secure the male and female connector elements. In a
preferred embodiment a lever is rotated from a first position to a
second position such that a cam element attached to the lever mates
with a catch element on the cable connector element attached to the
probe cable. The lever pulls the connector in and also operates to
push the connector element out when actuated in the reverse
direction thereby reducing the strain often caused by the user in
pulling the cable connector element out of the housing connector
element.
[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method for
performing an ultrasound scan on a region of interest of a patient
includes connecting a probe to a portable processing unit with a
connector system, locking the connector in place, employing the
onboard identification circuit to identify the probe and display
probe information on the display prior to the scan, entering
patient information and performing the scan. Another preferred
embodiment of the invention includes a cart system in which the
processor housing and display can be connected or docked with a
mobile station or cart having a control panel and a port assembly
for receiving one or more transducer probes.
[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
system and method for ultrasound imaging will be apparent from the
following more particular description of preferred embodiments of
the system and method as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
in which like reference characters refer to the same parts
throughout the different views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a portable ultrasound imaging system
including a hand-held probe in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a modular portable system having a
hand-held ultrasound transducer connected to a processing and
display unit in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a single board computer and beamformer
circuits that form the processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate block diagrams of preferred
embodiments of a modular, portable ultrasound system including a
hand-held transducer assembly interfacing with a processing unit
having the beamformer electronics in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4C illustrates a single chip, N-channel,
time-multiplexed multiple beamforming processor with on-chip
apodization and bandpass filter.
[0016] FIG. 5A illustrates a view of a stand alone portable
ultrasound processing and display unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5B illustrates an exploded view of the ultrasound
processing and display unit shown in FIG. 5A in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a 10-inch and 12-inch display,
respectively, that can be included in an ultrasound stand-alone
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of an ultrasound processing and
display unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate views of a single board computer
included in the ultrasound stand alone unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a view of the configuration of the
computer boards in a stand alone ultrasound unit in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate views of the ultrasound processing
unit configured for different applications such as different
processing unit configured in different applications such as
different original engineering manufacture (OEM) configurations and
stand alone configurations in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic drawing of an analog board
included in an ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a digital board and
a power supply daughter board included in an ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate the pin assignment of an
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and an
electrically programmable read only memory integrated circuits,
respectively, that can be included in the ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates a semiconductor one-wire identification
integrated circuit chip installed in transducer assemblies in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 15A illustrates a view of a graphical user interface
display screen showing the appropriate transducer parameters upon
connection of a transducer probe with the ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 15B illustrates in tabular from characteristics of the
ID chip system.
[0029] FIG. 15C illustrates a process sequence using the ID chip
system.
[0030] FIG. 15D shows a schematic circuit diagram for a multiple
connector assembly in accordance with the invention.
[0031] FIG. 15E illustrates a schematic circuit diagram for a
multiplexed multiconnector system for transducer arrays.
[0032] FIG. 15F illustrates another preferred schematic circuit
diagram for a multiconnector system for transducer arrays.
[0033] FIG. 16 illustrates an ultrasound processing unit and an
ultrasound transducer connector in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the ultrasound transducer
connector assembly illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C illustrate detailed views of the
ultrasound transducer connector assembly including sectional views
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 20 illustrates a view of an ultrasound processing unit
with an ultrasound transducer connector assembly having a lock in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0038] FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a close-up view of an
ultrasound transducer connector assembly inserted into a ultrasound
processing unit and a cut-away view of the inserted ultrasound
transducer connector assembly, respectively, showing a sliding
lever in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly inserted into an ultrasound
processing unit having a lever to secure the connector assembly in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate further details of the lever
and an exploded view of the lever assembly of an ultrasound
processing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate different views of the ultrasound
processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 25 illustrates a view of the ultrasound processing unit
showing a partial view of the lever for the transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate further views of the ultrasound
processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0044] FIGS. 27A-27C illustrate views of an ultrasound transducer
connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0045] FIGS. 28A-28C illustrate views of an alternate embodiment of
an ultrasound transducer connector in accordance with the present
invention.
[0046] FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic view of an ultrasound system
including an ultrasound console having a remote hardware keypad in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 30 illustrates a schematic diagram of an ultrasound
console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0048] FIGS. 31A-31F illustrate preferred embodiments of a modular
ultrasound imaging system in accordance with the invention.
[0049] FIGS. 32A-32D illustrate a preferred cart system for use in
embodiment of a conjunction with a modular ultrasound imaging
system in accordance with the inventors.
[0050] FIG. 33 illustrates a modular system having a plurality of
transducer connectors.
[0051] FIG. 34 is a schematic circuit diagram of a modular cart
system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0052] Preferred embodiments of the present invention include
modular, portable ultrasound systems that can be used as a
stand-alone system. The preferred embodiments integrate the display
with the processing unit which is then connected to different
ultrasound transducer probes. Preferred embodiments as described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/386,360, filed on Mar. 11,
2003, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by
reference, include a display integrated on the ultrasound
transducer. The operator can easily view the image and operate the
probe or scan head, as well as perform operations in the same local
area with the other hand. The data/video processing unit is also
compact and portable, and may be placed close to the operator or
alternatively at a remote location. Optionally, in another
embodiment, a display is also integrated into the data/video
processing unit. The processing unit also provides an external
monitor port for use with traditional display monitors.
[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a portable
ultrasound imaging system 10 including a hand-held ultrasound
transducer with integrated display and a portable processing unit.
The ultrasound transducer 14 comprises any of the standard
ultrasound transducer arrays. The interface 12 delivers signals
from the array 14 to an interface processor housing 16 that can
include a system controller and beamformer as described in detail
below. A second cable interface 11 can include a Firewire (IEEE
1394) connection delivering a beamformed representation for further
processing to a personal computer 15.
[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates a modular portable system having an
ultrasound transducer connected to a processing and display unit in
accordance with the present invention. In this preferred
embodiment, the video and power wires for the display are
integrated with the transducer data wires for the transducer to
form a single cable assembly 24 that connects the ultrasound
transducer to the portable data/video processing unit 26.
[0055] The data/video processing unit 16 is compact and portable.
In a preferred embodiment, the beamformer electronics is an
integral part of the processing unit and communicating with a
single board computer 110 using a Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable as
illustrated in FIG. 4A.
[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates the single board computer and beamformer
circuits that form the processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B
illustrate block diagrams of preferred embodiments of a modular,
portable ultrasound system including a hand-held transducer
assembly interfacing with a processing unit in accordance with the
present invention.
[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the beamformer electronics is
moved inside the processing unit to further reduce the size and
weight of the hand-held transducer as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The
processing unit 138 can comprise a compact single board 44 computer
and the beamformer electronics as illustrated in FIG. 3. The
beamformer electronics includes a digital processing printed
circuit board and an analog processing printed circuit board 48.
The beamforming electronics communicates with the single board
computer via a Firewire (IEEE 1394) chip.
[0058] An operating environment for the system includes a
processing system with at least one high speed processing unit and
a memory system. In accordance with the practices of persons
skilled in the art of computer programming, the present invention
is described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of
operations or instructions that are performed by the processing
system, unless indicated otherwise. Such acts and operations or
instructions are sometimes referred to as being
"computer-executed", or "processing unit executed."
[0059] It will be appreciated that the acts and symbolically
represented operations or instructions include the manipulation of
electrical signals by the processing unit. An electrical system
with data bits causes a resulting transformation or reduction of
the electrical signal representation, and the maintenance of data
bits at memory locations in the memory system to thereby
reconfigure or otherwise alter the processing unit's operation, as
well as other processing of signals. The memory locations where
data bits are maintained are physical locations that have
particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic properties
corresponding to the data bits.
[0060] The data bits may also be maintained on a computer readable
medium including magnetic disks, optical disks, organic disks, and
any other volatile or non-volatile mass storage system readable by
the processing unit. The computer readable medium includes
cooperating or interconnected computer readable media, which exist
exclusively on the processing system or is distributed among
multiple interconnected processing systems that may be local or
remote to the processing system.
[0061] In an embodiment, the compact single board computer has a
printed circuit board size of a 51/4 inch disk drive or a 31/2 inch
disk drive. One embodiment of the present invention uses a
NOVA-7800-P800 single board computer in a 51/4 inch form factor,
with a low power Mobile Pentium-III 800 MHz processor, 512 Mbytes
of memory, and has on board interface ports for Firewire (IEEE
1394), local area network (LAN), Audio, integrated device
electronics (IDE), personal computer memory card international
association (PCMCIA) and Flash memories.
[0062] For some dedicated applications, the entire ultrasound
system includes the hand-held ultrasound transducer with an
integrated display and the portable data/video processing unit. The
system can be operated without any controls other than power
on/off. For other applications, the system is equipped with an
optional operator interface such as buttons and knobs, either on
the processing unit, or integrated in the transducer assembly, or
both. The processing unit can provide an additional video output to
drive an external monitor, or optionally an integrated display on
the processing unit itself.
[0063] The microprocessor in FIG. 4B provides the functionality for
down conversion, scan conversion, M-mode, Doppler processing, color
flow imaging, power Doppler, spectral Doppler and post signal
processing.
[0064] FIG. 4C illustrates a single chip, N-channel
time-multiplexed beamforming processor with on-chip apodization and
bandpass filter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Beamforming circuits in accordance with
preferred embodiments are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,304,
issued on Apr. 30, 2002, the entire teachings of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0065] FIG. 5A illustrates a view of a stand alone portable
ultrasound processing and display unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit
includes a motherboard single board computer. In a preferred
embodiment, the motherboard has the following requirements that are
fulfilled by a Pentium M, 512 MB of RAM or more, 10 GB hard drive,
hard drive-free configuration. It includes a flash memory
(approximately 1 GB) with a larger RAM (approximately 1 GB). The
display that can be integrated into the processing unit may include
a 10-inch or 12-inch display, having 1024.times.768 resolution, 200
Nits brightness as a minimum (after touch screen), 250 desirable,
400:1 contrast ratio, and have a large viewing angle. The
ultrasound module can be connected using a 6 pin Firewire
connection. The ultrasound module operates with 12 watt as maximum
power.
[0066] The graphical user interface includes a touch screen having
no drift, and providing for finger operation (no RF pens). The
ports for the processing unit include at least 2 universal serial
bus (USB) ports to connect an external keyboard, mouse, CDW, and an
Ethernet port. The processing unit provides for battery operation,
two hours minimum at peak processing power of 7 watt required for
ultrasound.
[0067] A preferred embodiment of the processing unit provides for
modularity with a removable processing unit 208 residing inside the
ultrasound system. An ultrasound control pad module 212 and custom
keyboard 204 can be made removable or configurable. The module 200
itself can also be used as an outside remote control module (USB or
wireless) or as an OEM building block. The display module 202 can
be made configurable (10-inch or 12-inch), Sun readable or
configurable with different platforms. The module has a stand, as
illustrated in FIG. 7. There is a protective cover for the display
and controls in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The unit may be re-used as a stand. A probe
holder may be located on the side or on the top of the unit. In
alternate preferred embodiments, the probe holder may also be
engaged from the side when needed. The probe holder is easy to
clean. A handle is provided for ease of carrying the unit. A
universal mount that accommodates different holders, for example,
tripods, arms, stands, is provided in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound unit can be
docked and is rugged.
[0068] FIG. 5B illustrates an exploded view of the ultrasound
processing and display unit shown in FIG. 5A in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The unit 200
includes the modular display 202, the ultrasound processing unit
208 that includes the beamforming circuitry, a keyboard 204, a
control pad module 204, a battery module 206 and the single board
computer 214.
[0069] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a 10-inch and 12-inch display,
respectively, that can be included in an ultrasound stand-alone
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. As described hereinbefore, the display in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a
resolution of 1024.times.768 and a large viewing angle.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a side view of an ultrasound processing and
display unit having a stand in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrates views of a single board computer
included in the ultrasound stand alone unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A illustrates
a view of a single board computer 270 used in the ultrasound
portable unit including the interface ports. The interfaces include
video graphics adapter (VGA) 281, a local area network (LAN)
interface 282, a IEEE 1394 interface 283 and a PS/2 bus interface
284 which has a microchannel architecture. Further, the interfaces
include a universal serial bus (USB) interface 285, a COM1
interface 286 which is a serial communications port, a Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface
297 for PC-cards and a CFII interface 288. FIG. 8B illustrates a
view 300 of an embedded mobile Pentium III processor single board
computer with interfaces for VGA, LAN, audio, IEEE and video
capture.
[0072] FIG. 9 illustrates a view of the configuration 310 of the
computer boards in a stand alone ultrasound unit in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An analog board
312 is spaced from a digital board 322. A transducer socket 314
having a at least a 160 pin socket is provided. A power supply
daughter board 320 is provided and spaced from the analog and
digital boards by a separator 316. A plurality of interfaces are
also provided, for example, IEEE 1394 interface 318, and a Deutsch
Industrie Norm (DIN) connector 324 which is a multipin connector
conforming to the specifications of the German National Standards
Organization.
[0073] FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate views of the ultrasound processing
unit configured for different applications such as different
processing unit configured in different applications such as
different original engineering manufacture (OEM) configurations and
stand alone configurations in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. A preferred embodiment
includes the motherboard, display driver and ultrasound interface
in the housing with the provisions for plug-in transducer arrays.
An alternate embodiment includes stand-alone unit with a plug-in
transducer array.
[0074] FIG. 10A illustrates an OEM configuration having a basic
aluminum box with mounting holes. FIG. 10B illustrates the
ultrasound processor inside a housing. FIG. 10C illustrates the
ultrasound processing unit inside a PC drive bay. FIG. 10D
illustrates an OEM configuration with FIG. 10E is a view of a
stand-alone configuration three transducer connectors. A mutiplexor
can be used to select which connector signals are being processed.
having an OEM housing, a single board computer, a LCD, and a
battery module. FIG. 10F illustrates the processing unit that can
be connected in an OEM configuration or be a stand-alone unit.
[0075] An interlock is included to sense if a probe is present and
to determine the calibration coefficient in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. A one wire
identification (ID) chip for identifying the transducer is included
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The computer can be pre-programmed with signal conditioning for
each probe in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. By effectively connecting the probe, the circuit
identifies the probe and accesses the pre-programmed conditions for
that probe. Calibration coefficients are stored for each probe in
the memory of the processing unit. The system can include multiple
connection ports that allows for the connection of two or three
probes to one system using a multiplexed interface.
[0076] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic drawing of an analog board
included in an ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. A transducer
connector is accommodated in region 452.
[0077] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a digital board 470
and a power supply daughter board 472 included in an ultrasound
processing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Also provided is a mini-DIN interface 474, and
IEEE 1394 interfaces 476, 484.
[0078] FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate the pin assignment of an
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and an
electrically programmable read only memory integrated circuits,
respectively, that can be included in the ultrasound processing
unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0079] FIG. 13A illustrates a 4096 bits, one-wire EEPROM that
assures absolute identity as no two parts are alike. The memory is
partitioned into sixteen 256-bit pages for packetizing data. This
EEPROM identifies and stores relevant information about each
ultrasound transducer to which it is associated. It is easily
interfaced with using a single port pin of a microcontroller. The 4
Kb, one-wire EEPROM can be, for example, but not limited to a
DS2433 circuit provided by Dallas Semiconductor.
[0080] FIG. 13B illustrates, for example, a DS2502/5/6 UNW
UniqueWare.TM. add only memory chip provided by Dallas
Semiconductor. The EPROM can be a 1024 bits, 16 kbits or 65 kbits
memory and can communicate with the economy of one signal plus
ground.
[0081] Preferred embodiment of the medical ultrasound systems use
many transducers depending upon the application. These systems also
identify which transducer is attached at any given time in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0082] In addition to identifying the transducer type, preferred
embodiments also identify the individual probe of the same type,
such that calibration information can be associated with a
particular probe. The one-wire ID circuits described with respect
to FIGS. 13A and 13B provide identification of each transducer and
corresponding calibration information by installing the
semiconductor one-wire identification chips in each transducer
assembly as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 illustrates a semiconductor
one-wire identification integrated circuit chip installed in
transducer assemblies in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0083] Each ID chip has a unique serial number, plus a
writable/readable memory for storage of calibration or additional
identification data. In an ultrasound application of a preferred
embodiment, the serial number and probe type information are
accessed from memory upon probe insertion. The information is used
to call up the appropriate transducer parameters and the new probe
is then made available to the user on the display screen, as shown
in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15A illustrates a view of a graphical user
interface display screen showing the appropriate transducer
parameters upon connection of a transducer probe with the
ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0084] In addition to the identification, each transducer is unique
and it is desirable to calibrate out these differences in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Therefore, software executable instructions are provided by the
ultrasound applications control for storing and retrieving
individual calibration data to the ID chip. Examples of calibration
differences can include electrical, acoustic and mechanical
differences. These may be used, but are not limited to, procedures
such as mounting of needle guides for biopsy, three-dimensional
positioning sensing devices and transducer element variation
calibration.
[0085] A method of probe type identification is usually provided by
using multiple connector pins which are tied to logic zero or one.
To differentiate between 32 probe types, 5 connector wires are
required. In the one-wire method, only a single wire is required,
and the data is passed between the probe and the host system
serially.
[0086] The invention incorporates a read/writable non-volatile
memory chip (ID chip) in the transducer termination board, as shown
in FIG. 14. An example of the memory chip is the Dallas
Semiconductor DS2433 One-wire Idenfication chip with 4096 bits of
non-volatile storage. Other non-volatile read/writable memory can
be used, but the One-wire chip has the advantage of using only one
signal wire and one ground wire, and does not require additional
pins for power supply. The identification circuit can also include
a radio frequenge wireless link that connects to the probe housing
to identify the type of probe sending data to the ultrasound
system.
[0087] The memory of the ID chip is organized as 128 words of 32
bits wide, divided into four segments: The IDENTIFICATION segment,
the USAGE segment, the FACTORY segment and the USER segment shown
in FIG. 15B.
[0088] The IDENTIFICATION segment holds the information which
identifies the transducer type and hardware revision and serial
number. The Ultrasound Application reads these information when a
transducer is attached to a system and performs the appropriate set
up based on the transducer type and hardware revisions. This
segment is written at the factory and is not modifiable by the
user.
[0089] The USAGE segment holds the statistical information about
the usage of the transducer. The first entry logs the serial number
and date when the transducer is first used outside of the factory
(the Inauguration System Serial # and Date code). The second and
third entries in this segment logs the serial number and the date
of the two systems most recently the transducer was attached to.
The Date Code values are Julian date of the conection date minus
the Julian date of Jan. 1, 2000. The 16 bit date code field can
sotre dates of more than a century starting from the year 2000. The
16 but date code filed can store dates of more than a century
starting from the year 2000. The fourth word of the USAGE segment
is a counter which increments once per 5 minutes when a transducer
is attached and activated in a system. These statistical
information are updated in the field by the Ultrasound Application
software, and is not modifiable by the user. The values are set to
zeros before the transducer leaves the factory. These statistical
information are read and recorded when a transducer is returned to
the factory for service.
[0090] The FACTORY segement holds the factory calibration
information for the transducer. Examples of factory calibration
data are the per element gain and propagation delay fine
adjustments. When a transducer is attached and activated by the
Ultrasound Application, the application first reads the transducer
ID information from the IDENTIFICATION segment and loads up the
appropriate set ups for that particular transducer type. The
application then reads the FACTORY segement and applies the fine
adjustments to the transducer set up. This segment is written at
the factory and is not modifiable by the user.
[0091] The USER segment is reserved for the end user to store
post-factory calibration data. Example of post-factory calibration
data are position information of needle guide brackets and 3-D
position sensing mechanism. The USER segment is the only segment
which the user application software can modify.
[0092] FIG. 15C shows the software flow-chart of a typical
transducer management module within the ultrasound application
program.
[0093] When a TRANSDUCER ATTACHE event is detected, the Transducer
Management Software Module first reads the Transducer Type ID and
hardware revision information from the IDENTIFICATION Segment. The
information is used to fetch the particular set of transducer
profile data from the hard disk and load it into the memory of the
application program. The software then reads the adjustment data
from the FACTORY Segment and aplies the adjustments to the profile
data just loaded into memory. The software module then sends a
TRANSDUCER ATTACHE Message to the main ultrasound application
program, which uses the transducer profile already loaded and
perform ultrasound imaging. The Transducer Management Software
Module then waits for either a TRANSDUCER DETACH event, or the
elapse of 5 minutes. If a TRANSDUCER DETACH is detected, the
transducer profile data set is removed from memory and the module
goes back to wait for another TRANSDUCER ATTACHE event. If a 5
minutes time period expires without TRANSDUCER DETACH, the software
module increments the Cumulative Usage Counter in the USAGE
Segment, and waits for another 5 minutes period or a TRANSDUCER
DETACH event.
[0094] There are many types of ultrasound transducers. They differ
by geometry, number of elements, and frequency response. For
example, a linear array with center frequency of 10 to 15 MHz is
better suited for breast imaging, and a curved array with center
frequency of 3 to 5 MHz is better suited for abdominal imaging.
[0095] It is often necessary to use different types of transducers
for the same or different ultrasound scanning sessions. For
ultrasound systems with only one transducer connection, the
operator will change the transducer prior to the start of a new
scanning session.
[0096] In some applications, it is necessary to switch among
different types of transducers during one ultrasound scanning
session. In this case, it is more convenient to have multiple
transducers connected to the same ultrasound system, and the
operator can quickly switch among these connected transducers by
hitting a button on the operator console, without having to
physically detach and re-attach the transducers, which takes a
longer time.
[0097] The switching among different connected transducers can be
implemented either by arrays of relays 554 as seen in FIG. 15E, or
by arrays of high voltage Multiplexer integrated circuits 556, as
seen in FIG. 15F (switching between two 128 elements transducers).
These relays or MUXVIC's form an additional layer of circuits
between the ultrasound transmitter/receiver circuits and the
transducer connectors.
[0098] The present invention utilizes a system that performed a
method of multi-transducer switching using multiple
Transmit/Receive integrated circuits 562, 564 as seen in FIG. 15D,
without the use of relays or commercial multiplexer integrated
circuits. A typical two transducer switching circuit using an
integrated circuits in accordance with the invention deliver
signals to the amplifier and beamformer circuit 565.
[0099] The Transmit/Receive integrated circuit includes multiple
channel devices with a programmable waveform generator and high
voltage driver for each transducer element, and a receive routing
circuit for each element pair. The receive output is programmable
to receive from transducer element 566 or 568 of the element pair,
or turned off. The outputs of multiple integrated circuits are
wired together. Connection to diferent transducers in the same
system is achieved by programming the On/Off states of individual
receive channels amoung the multiple integrated circuits, and by
programming the transmit sequence of each of the transmit channels
on all of the integrated circuits.
[0100] One advantage of this approach is the higher intergration
over the use of commercial available relays and multiplexer chips,
especially when compared to a relay switching approach, because
relays are mechanical devices and are generally larger. There are
two versions of these, Transmit/Receive integrated circuits, one
version has 64 transducer element channels and another version has
32 transducer channels. This high channel count integration of at
least 32 channels combined with the small high pin density
transducer connector, allows implementation of a multiple
transducer configuration in a very compact size.
[0101] Another advantage is the elimination of an extra circuit
layer, when compared to the multiplexer chips approach. Typical
commercial multiplexer chips suitable for ultrasound channel
switching typically have an ON resistance of greater than 20 ohms
(example, Supertex HV20220), and therefore have measureable
attenuation of both the transmit and receive signals compared with
a direct connection in a single transducer system. The present
approach has identical transmit/receive circuit for single
transducer system, or multiple transducers system, with no
additional signal attenuation resulting from adding the multiple
transducers switching function.
[0102] Yet another advantage of the present approach is the added
ability to operate a very large element count transducer with a
true full transmit aperture. For example, a 128 channel ultrasound
engine can operate a 768 element linear array by adding a one to
six multiplexer array. A traditional implementation using relays of
multiplexers can switch among six segements of 128 elements each
across the entire 768 elements at any one time. The present
approach will have 768 programmable transmitter, and therefore can
use any size of transmit aperture anywhere on transducer array,
including using the entire 768 element at the same time. The
ability to use larger than 128 element transmit aperture allows the
ultrasound system to have better penetration and resolution,
compared to systems that are limited to 128.
[0103] FIG. 16 illustrates an ultrasound processing unit and an
ultrasound transducer connector in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. An ultrasound transducer is
coupled to its associated ultrasound processing unit 572 via a
cable, which is routed into an ultrasound transducer connector
assembly 574 and, mates with a corresponding terminal located on
ultrasound console. A sliding lever is included to secure the
connector to the processing unit.
[0104] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound transducer
connector assembly 18 shows a connector housing. FIG. 18 is an
exploded view of the ultrasound transducer connector assembly
illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. An electrical connector 606
may have 160 contacts or more. The connector assembly housing 604,
610 interfaces with a cable 602 which in turn is coupled to an
ultrasound transducer.
[0105] FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C illustrate detailed views of the
ultrasound transducer connector assembly including sectional views
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
A cable 640 is attached to a first end of connector housing element
630. A close-up view 620 of connector assembly element 620 is seen
in FIG. 19A. A side view 650 is shown in FIG. 19C.
[0106] The movable connector component has electrical contacts that
mate with the stationary connector component having stationary
electrical contacts on the processing unit. For mating, the movable
connector component is brought towards the stationary connector
component. Initially, there is a gap separating the movable
electrical contacts from stationary electrical contacts, so that
the contacts are not subjected to any friction or insertion force.
A locking mechanism draws in the movable connector component which
is received in a recess of the stationary connector component. The
lever slides from right to left causing the movable connector
component to close into the recess and contact the corresponding
stationary electrical contacts to make an electrical connection.
The ultrasound transducer connectors minimize the physical stress
exerted upon their electrical contacts, thus avoiding wear and
potential damage to the contacts.
[0107] FIG. 20 illustrates a view of an ultrasound processing unit
with an ultrasound transducer connector assembly 674 having a lock
672 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a close-up view of an
ultrasound transducer connector assembly inserted into a ultrasound
processing unit and a cut-away view of the inserted ultrasound
transducer connector assembly, respectively, showing a sliding
lever in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The connector is drawn in the end of the housing when
inserted and locked and is ejected when detached. The connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention allows for a one-hand operation. A preferred embodiment
of the present invention includes a sash lock similar to a window
lock. The lever includes a lever action which also yields a
significant mechanical advantage as it translates insertion force
to a lateral action of the lock. The lever for the connector
assembly is resistant to abusive use as it has rails which act with
the lever to eliminate twists applied to the connector. A rotating
catch is used to eject the connector after use.
[0108] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate views of an ultrasound
transducer connector assembly inserted into an ultrasound
processing unit 700 having a lever 732 shown in the detailed
portion 720, to secure the connector assembly in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0109] FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate further details 730 of the
lever 732 and an exploded view 740 of the lever assembly of an
ultrasound processing unit in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The lever assembly includes a
spring 742 which being a resilient member, assists in drawing the
lever 744 into the locked position.
[0110] FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate several views of the ultrasound
processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer connector
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Circuit boards are mounted in FIGS. 24B and 24C along
with the connector assembly in accordance with the invention.
[0111] FIG. 25 illustrates a view of the ultrasound processing unit
800 showing a partial view of the lever for the transducer
connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0112] FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate further views 810, 820 of the
ultrasound processing unit showing the ultrasound transducer
connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0113] FIGS. 27A-27C illustrate views of an ultrasound transducer
connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. In a preferred embodiment the maximum voltage of the
ultrasound transducer connector can be 100 volts. The connector can
include 160 or 240 pins or more. The base plate protects the pins
and rises up into position during printed circuit board insertion.
In one embodiment the connector assembly includes, but is not
limited to, a Molex.RTM. 53941 right angle docking station
board-to-board shielded plug.
[0114] FIGS. 28A-28C illustrate views of an alternate embodiment of
an ultrasound transducer connector in accordance with the present
invention. In this preferred embodiment the connector assembly
includes, but is not limited to, a Molex.RTM. 54145 right angle
docking station board-to-board shielded receptacle. Alternatively,
a molex.RTM.3441 connector can be used. The specification of these
connectors being incorporated herein by reference. These a small
high density pin connectors having a pin pitch of less than 1 mm,
and preferably 0.8 mm or less. The connectors can have 160 pins,
192 pins, 250 pins or more. When this system is used in connection
with the insertion and release mechanism described in connection
with FIGS. 20-26, this provides a secure and reliable connection
assembly that fits within a smaller and lighter assembly for
portable applications. Note that there is a probe present pin is an
interlock to indicate that a probe has been inserted correctly.
[0115] FIG. 31 illustrates a schematic view of an ultrasound system
including an ultrasound console having a remote hardware keypad in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The system includes a console 950 connected with a USB/PS/2
interface to a host computer 960.
[0116] FIG. 32 illustrates a schematic diagram of an ultrasound
console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. A universal serial bus (USB) console is used for a
remote hardware keypad. This hardware user interface in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention displaces a
software graphical user interface and allows any ultrasound imaging
control function to be accessed via a control keypad. The controls
are communicated with a host computer through a USB port.
[0117] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasound console includes a
USB device and USB Driver which is implemented with a FTDI USB245M
controller chip, for example. This integrated chip is simple as it
can be integrated into the console without requiring a custom
device driver. The USB Console uses the FTDI supplied dynamic link
library (DLL) device driver in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0118] The console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is made up of at least four types of hardware
functions: buttons, potentiometers, trackball, and LEDs. The
buttons are momentary switches. The architecture in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for 128
buttons. The potentiometers are either linear slide potentiometers
for time gain control (TGC), or rotary dials for GAINs. Each
potentiometer can have a position reading between 0 and 255. A
digital potentiometer with clickers is considered to be a button,
not a potentiometer in the preferred embodiments. One embodiment
includes 11 potentiometers: 8 slide switches numbered from 0 to 7,
for TGC and three rotary dial potentiometers numbered 8 to 10.
[0119] In a preferred embodiment, a trackball is a stand-alone unit
which communicates with the host system via a PS/2 interface or USB
interface. The trackball may go to the host system directly, or
combined with the console the USB interface via a USB hub.
[0120] In a preferred embodiment, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are
provided on the console and can be individually addressed to turn
on or off. A preferred embodiment has 8 LEDs, numbered from 0 to 7,
and the LEDs are located at the buttons #0 to 7 respectively.
[0121] A preferred embodiment includes a software interface
protocol from the console to a host system. When a button is
pressed or a potentiometer position is changed, a three byte
message is sent from the console to the host. Tables 1 and 2
illustrate, respectively, the message sent by using a button and a
potentiometer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
1TABLE 1 Button Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Byte #1 0 Button number Byte #2 X X X X X X X X
[0122]
2TABLE 2 Potentiometer Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 Byte #1 0 Potentiometer number Byte #2 Potentiometer
position value
[0123] The host may send a "Query" command to the console, and the
console responds by sending Potentiometer Messages for every
potentiometer on the console in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Messages can be sent
back-to-back in a preferred embodiment.
[0124] A preferred embodiment also includes a software interface
protocol from a host system to a console. The host can send
messages to the console to turn LEDs on/off, or to query the
current readings of every potentiometer. Tables 3, 4 and 5 provide
the LED-On message, LED-Off message and a query message,
respectively, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
3TABLE 3 LED-ON Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Byte #1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Byte #2 0 LED number
[0125]
4TABLE 4 LED-OFF Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 Byte #1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Byte #2 0 LED number
[0126]
5TABLE 5 Query Message Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Byte #0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Byte #1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Byte #2 0 X X X X X X X
[0127] FIG. 30 illustrates the USB console for remote key pad in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It
is a hardware user interface and allows any ultrasound imaging
control function to be accessed via a "traditional" control key
pad. The control keys include, trackball with right and left enter
keys, dedicated Freeze/live key, dedicated Save key, 8 Slide
potentiometers each with a lateral movement to control the TGC
gain, dedicated overall B-mode gain control pot, dedicated overall
Color Flow Imaging gain control potentiometer, dedicated overall
Pulsed Wave Spectral Doppler gain control pot, dedicated B-mode
selection key, dedicated Power Doppler-mode selection key,
dedicated Color Flowing Imaging-mode selection key, dedicated
Pulsed Wave Spectral Doppler selection key, dedicated M-mode
selection key, and dedicated Triplex selection key.
[0128] An LED is provided on each mode selection key. Once a mode
is selected by a user, the selected mode-control key lights up.
[0129] The basic module system of the present invention is an
external peripheral 16, 26 to a personal computer as shown
generally in FIGS. 1-3 or a basic system configuration of the
system pairs it with an off-the-shelf notebook computer with a
firewire port. An important advantage of this configuration is that
the system gets its power from the notebook computer via the single
Firewire cable. No additional power supply is needed. The
combination of the peripheral 16, 26 and the notebook computer can
both run on the battery of the computer, making the system very
portable.
[0130] The modular system can be structured as a transformable
system: a fully portable ultrasound system consisting of the
ultrasound module and a notebook computer in a single portable
suitcase, and which can be converted into a full feature cart
system for stationary use.
[0131] The suitcase configuration shown in FIGS. 31A-31F integrates
the ultrasound module and the notebook computer into a single
suitcase package. An off-the-shelf consumer notebook computer 1004
with control panel or keyboard 1008 and display 1006 is secured to
the suitcase using a low cost molded bracket 1005 shaped for the
particular notebook model. Alternate notebook computer models can
be used with a different molded bracket.
[0132] As seen in FIG. 31F, the ultrasound module 1018 is situated
in the base 1016 and base cover 1015 and top 1012. A handle 1002
can be extended from the housing base 1010 so that a user can carry
the system with one hand. The system can be connected to, or dock
with a console of a cart system seen in FIGS. 32A-32D this
embodiment of the invention utilizes a mobile cart system for use
in connection with a portable ultrasound imaging system. Shown in
FIG. 33 is a system having a plurality of transducer cable
connectors 1144, 1146. This system can use the switching systems
described in connection with FIGS. 15D-15F, for example.
[0133] The cart system 1100 uses a base assembly 1108 and a USB hub
1220. The base assembly can be connected to a docking bay 1222 that
receives the processor housing 1000. A preferred embodiment of the
docking bay system as seen in FIG. 34 provides electrical interface
connections between the base assembly and the processor housing at
docking connector 1205. The base assembly can further include a
control panel 1150 such that the user can control certain
operations of the ultrasound system using control elements on the
control panel 1150.
[0134] The cart configuration docks the suitcase module 1000 to a
cart 1100 with a full operator console 1118. Once docked, the cart
and the suitcase together forms a full feature roll-about system
1200 shown in the schematic control circuit diagram of FIG. 34.
that may have other peripherals added, such as printers and video
recorders. The docking mechanism is a simple, cable-less mating
connection, very much like the desk top docking station for a
notebook computer. This easy docking scheme allows the user to
quickly attach or detach the suitcase to convert the system between
stationary use (cart), and portable use.
[0135] The user console 1118 on the cart is designed with a USB
interface. The electronics on the console gets its power from the
USB bus from the battery in housing 100, eliminating the need for
an additional power source. However, parts 1211 and 1362 with
transformer 1360 and outlets 1324, 1326 can also be used for power
distribution and access. The user console is attached to the
notebook computer via the USB port of the notebook computer, routed
through the docking connector of the suitcase.
[0136] An alternate design of the user console 1118 duplicates the
cart base console design in a smaller portable console with the
same USB interface. This portable console can be plugged into the
suitcase without the cart.
[0137] With a USB powered console, the cart system can operate
solely on the notebook computer battery without the need for being
connected to the wall AC power outlet, or, when the cart system is
running on wall AC power, it can continue to operate during power
outage.
[0138] The cart system duplicates many of the notebook computer
peripheral ports so that the cart system has as much features as a
full blown computer, such as network connection 1203 and printer
ports second USB hub 1320 to printer 1340. A VOR, 1350 can receive
S Video through docking connections 1205, 1222 from processor 1004.
There is also an Svideo port 1207. The first USB hub 1220 is
connected via docking parts with the computer USB port and with the
second hub 1320. Control elements 1150 can be used to operate the
cart system 1200 through hub 1220. The portable system 1000 has one
or more connector and beamformer system 1014 with 1394 interface an
EKG port 1208, a microphane port 1204, ethernet port 1203, USB port
1202, Svideo port 1207 and power access 1201. The console 1118 has
power access 1211, ethernet 1212, USB port 1213, microphane 1216
and EKG port 1214. DC 1302 and USB 1306 connections run from the
console to the lower base unit6 1300.
[0139] In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the
principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be
understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention.
For example, the steps of the flow diagrams may be taken in
sequences other than those described, and more or fewer elements
may be used in the block diagrams. While various elements of the
preferred embodiments have been described as being implemented in
software, other embodiments in hardware or firmware implementations
may alternatively be used, and vice-versa.
[0140] It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
that methods involved in the system and method for determining and
controlling contamination may be embodied in a computer program
product that includes a computer usable medium. For example, such a
computer usable medium can include a readable memory device, such
as, a hard drive device, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a computer
diskette, having computer readable program code segments stored
thereon. The computer readable medium can also include a
communications or transmission medium, such as, a bus or a
communications link, either optical, wired, or wireless having
program code segments carried thereon as digital or analog data
signals.
[0141] The claims should not be read as limited to the described
order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all
embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following
claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.
* * * * *