U.S. patent application number 13/290883 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for balance body ultrasound system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONOSITE, INC.. Invention is credited to Stephanie A. Barnes, Steven M Bunce, Bryan S. Cabatic, Blake W. Little, Bill Purdue, Kari L. Rice, John D. Schultz.
Application Number | 20120289829 13/290883 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27574447 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120289829 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barnes; Stephanie A. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
BALANCE BODY ULTRASOUND SYSTEM
Abstract
A hand held ultrasound system includes a balance body
incorporating system electronics and a transducer assembly
connected to the balance body. The hand held ultrasound system also
includes control elements that are arranged in an ergonomic fashion
on the balance body so that a user can hold the system and operate
at least one of the control elements with the same hand. The system
may also include a user interface that comprises a D-controller and
a touch screen.
Inventors: |
Barnes; Stephanie A.;
(Bothell, WA) ; Bunce; Steven M; (Sedro Woolley,
WA) ; Cabatic; Bryan S.; (Seattle, WA) ;
Little; Blake W.; (Bothell, WA) ; Purdue; Bill;
(Mill Creek, WA) ; Schultz; John D.; (Bothell,
WA) ; Rice; Kari L.; (Bothell, WA) |
Assignee: |
SONOSITE, INC.
Bothell
WA
|
Family ID: |
27574447 |
Appl. No.: |
13/290883 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12771982 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
8052606 |
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13290883 |
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10099474 |
Mar 15, 2002 |
7819807 |
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12771982 |
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10062179 |
Feb 1, 2002 |
6962566 |
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10099474 |
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09840002 |
Apr 19, 2001 |
6569101 |
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10062179 |
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09630165 |
Aug 1, 2000 |
6416475 |
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10099474 |
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09167964 |
Oct 6, 1998 |
6135961 |
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09630165 |
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08863937 |
May 27, 1997 |
5817024 |
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09167964 |
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08826543 |
Apr 3, 1997 |
5893363 |
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08863937 |
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08672782 |
Jun 28, 1996 |
5722412 |
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08826543 |
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08672782 |
Jun 28, 1996 |
5722412 |
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08863937 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 8/06 20130101; G01S
7/003 20130101; G01S 7/52079 20130101; A61B 8/14 20130101; A61B
8/4427 20130101; G01S 7/52071 20130101; A61B 8/54 20130101; G01S
7/529 20130101; A61B 8/462 20130101; G01S 7/52034 20130101; A61B
2560/0456 20130101; G01S 7/5206 20130101; G10K 11/004 20130101;
A61B 8/467 20130101; A61B 5/0402 20130101; A61B 8/56 20130101; G01S
7/5208 20130101; A61B 8/00 20130101; A61B 8/4472 20130101; A61B
8/4455 20130101; G01S 15/899 20130101; G10K 11/345 20130101; A61B
8/13 20130101; G01S 15/8915 20130101; G01S 7/52068 20130101; G01S
7/52084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/441 |
International
Class: |
A61B 8/13 20060101
A61B008/13 |
Claims
1. A medical ultrasound system comprising: a balance body, which
has a center of gravity positioned close to the strength of a
user's hand when the ultrasound system is held by the user, said
balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a
user interface wherein said user interface comprises a D-controller
and a touch screen; and a transducer assembly attached to said
balanced body via a cable, wherein the system electronics
comprises: a digital beam former, an image processor, and a first
digital signal processor capable of processing B mode, M mode and
flow (2D Doppler) scans; and a second digital signal processor
comprising: a digital Doppler QBP filter for filtering PW Doppler
signals; and a digital signal processor core for PW Doppler signal
processing, wherein the first digital signal processor and the
second digital signal processor are integrated into a single
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
2. A medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, wherein
control of the medical ultrasound device is achieved through
selecting through a series of window menus either by using the
D-controller or the touch screen or a combination of both.
3. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, wherein
the ultrasound system weighs less than three and a half pounds
(3.50 lbs.) and the balance body can be held with the same hand
that operates the D-controller.
4. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, wherein
the touch screen responds to a series of on screen commands and is
re-programmable to make one or more hot menus.
5. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, wherein
the touch screen further comprises a QWERTY style keypad.
6. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, wherein
said transducer assembly is a pen transducer.
7. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, further
comprising an I/O port for connecting to a docking station.
8. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 7, wherein
the I/O port still further comprises a data path, a control path,
and a power path for communicating with a docking station, such
that data can move between said medical ultrasound system and said
docking station, such that said medical ultrasound system can be
controlled through the docking station, and such that the power
supply can be recharged through the power path.
9. The medical ultrasound system of claim 1, further comprising a
handle.
10. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, further
comprising a holster for retaining a transducer assembly.
11. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, further
comprising a data storage means for ultrasound scans.
12. A lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument comprising: a
body having a power supply, a user interface for controlling the
instrument, a display screen, and a system electronics package
capable of a plurality of diagnostic ultrasound modes, said body
weighing less than three pounds, wherein said user interface
comprises a controller and wherein said ultrasound instrument is
configured so that a user may hold said ultrasound system with one
hand and operate said controller with said one hand and wherein the
system electronics comprises an image processor, and a first
digital signal processor capable of processing B mode, M mode and
flow (2D Doppler) scans, having a second digital signal processor
comprising: a digital Doppler QBP filter for filtering PW Doppler
signals; and a digital signal processor core for PW Doppler signal
processing wherein the first digital signal processor and the
second digital signal processor are integrated into a single
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a transducer
assembly comprising an A/D converter circuit, and a transducer
array, the transducer assembly weighing less than one pound; a wire
connecting said body and said transducer assembly, the wire having
a path for feeding power from the power supply to the transducer
assembly, and a signal path for transmitting digital signals
between the system electronics and the transducer assembly; and a
digital beam former.
13. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 12, wherein said controller comprises a D-controller.
14. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 12, wherein the display screen is a touch screen.
15. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 14, wherein the touch screen responds to a series of on
screen commands and is reprogrammable for hot menus.
16. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 14, wherein the touch screen further comprises a QWERTY
style keypad.
17. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument of claim 12,
further comprising a holster for retaining a transducer
assembly.
18. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, wherein
said balance body comprises an aperture and internal components
arranged to achieve said balance body.
19. The medical ultrasound system as described in claim 1, wherein
said balance body is configured so that the user's palm and fingers
support the weight of said balance body by being essentially flat
against a backside of said balance body.
20. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 12, wherein said body is balance body.
21. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 12, wherein said body comprises an aperture and internal
components arranged such that said body is balanced for comfortable
holding in a user's hand.
22. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 12, wherein said body is configured so that the user's
palm and fingers support the weight of said body by being
essentially flat against a backside of said body.
23. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 12, wherein said system electronics comprise said digital
beam former.
24. The lightweight diagnostic ultrasound instrument as described
in claim 12, wherein said transducer comprises said digital beam
former.
25. A medical ultrasound system comprising: a balance body, which
has a center of gravity positioned close to the strength of a
user's hand when the ultrasound instrument is held by the user,
said balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply
and a user interface wherein said user interface comprises a
controller and a touch screen; and a transducer assembly wirelessly
connected to said balance body, wherein the system electronics
comprises: a digital beam former, an image processor, and a first
digital signal processor capable of processing B mode, M mode and
flow (2D Doppler) scans; and a second digital signal processor
comprising: a digital Doppler QBP filter for filtering PW Doppler
signals; and a digital signal processor core for PW Doppler signal
processing, wherein the first digital signal processor and the
second digital signal processor are integrated into a single
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/099,474, filed Mar. 15, 2002; which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/062,179, filed
Feb. 1, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,566; which is a continuation
of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/840,002, filed Apr. 19, 2001, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,101; and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/099,474
is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
09/630,165, filed Aug. 1, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,475; which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/167,964,
filed Oct. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,961; which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/863,937, filed
May 27, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,024; and U.S. application
Ser. No. 09/167,964 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/826,543, filed Apr. 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat.
No. 5,893,363; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application
Ser. No. 08/672,782, filed Jun. 28, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,722,412; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/863,937 is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/672,782, filed
Jun. 28, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,412, the full disclosures of
which are all incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to handheld ultrasound instruments
having various diagnostic modes and transducer assemblies
incorporating a balance body design, or other form factor to reduce
strain of use during scanning procedures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As is well known, modern ultrasonic diagnostic systems are
large, complex instruments. Today's premium ultrasound systems,
while mounted in carts for portability, continue to weigh several
hundred pounds. In the past, ultrasound systems such as the ADR
4000 ultrasound system produced by SonoSite, Inc., assignee of the
present invention, were smaller, desktop units about the size of a
personal computer. However, such instruments lacked many of the
advanced features of today's premium ultrasound systems such as
color Doppler imaging and three dimensional display capabilities.
As ultrasound systems have become more sophisticated they have also
become bulkier.
[0004] However, with the ever increasing density of digital
electronics, it is now possible to foresee a time when ultrasound
systems will be able to be miniaturized to a size even smaller than
their much earlier ancestors. The physician is accustomed to
working with a hand held ultrasonic scanhead that is about the size
of an electric razor. It would be desirable, consistent with the
familiar scanhead, to be able to compact the entire ultrasound
system into a scanhead-sized unit. It would be further desirable
for such an ultrasound instrument to retain as many of the features
of today's sophisticated ultrasound systems as possible, such as
speckle reduction, color Doppler and three dimensional imaging
capabilities.
[0005] The tendency has been the smaller systems also lose
attributes of their larger, stationary cousins due to limitations
in space and power availability, the same factors that increase
portability. An inverse relation exists between size and feature
set. The use of digital beamformers and digital signal processing
has allowed the expansion of capabilities of the smaller, more
portable ultrasound systems relative to their predecessors. Recent
releases of product like the SonoSite 180 have demonstrated the
ability of manufacturers to reduce the size and weight of an
ultrasound system while still delivering acceptable performance. As
technology improves in both digital signal processing and power
management, there remains a need for providing a hand held or
portable ultrasound system that delivers acceptable performance
characteristics, and at the same time is easy to use. There also
remains a need for providing a method of being able to reduce costs
to the users of ultrasound systems by providing an affordable and
easily obtainable upgrade path to such user friendly ultrasound
systems, both for hardware elements, and software.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to hand held ultrasonic
systems providing the advances of digital signal processing and
advanced human factors usability. The various design elements of
the ultrasound systems presented herein are based on a series of
common system electronics detailed in previously listed co-pending
applications.
[0007] At its heart, the present invention provides a hand held
ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly
connected to said balance body via a communication means and a
plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on
said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and
operate at least one of said control elements with the same
hand.
[0008] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a medical
ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system
electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein said user
interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a
transducer assembly attached to said balanced body via a cable.
Control of the medical ultrasound device is achieved through
selecting through a series of window menus either by using the
D-controller or the touch screen or a combination of both. The
second embodiment is lightweight and preferably weighs less than
three and a half pounds (3.50 lbs.) and the balance body can be
held with the same hand that operates the D-controller. Optionally
the system further comprises an I/O port for connecting to a
docking station, and a handle.
[0009] In a third embodiment, we describe a lightweight diagnostic
ultrasound instrument comprising a body having a power supply, a
user interface for controlling the instrument, a display screen,
and a system electronics package capable of a plurality of
diagnostic ultrasound modes, said body weighting less than three
pounds; a transducer assembly comprising a digital beam former, an
A/D converter circuit, and a transducer array, the transducer
assembly weighing less than one pound; and a wire connecting said
body and said transducer assembly, the wire having a path for
feeding power from the power supply to the transducer assembly, and
a signal path for transmitting digital signals between the system
electronics and the transducer assembly.
[0010] In a fourth embodiment we describe a wireless diagnostic
ultrasound system comprising; a first body having system
electronics, a user interface having a display screen and at least
one control element, a first wireless transmit/receive element and
a first power supply, said first body weighing less than two
pounds; and a second body having a digital beam former, an A/D
converter circuit, a transducer array, a second power supply, and a
second transmit/receive element such that the digital beam former
can be controlled by the system electronics via the first and
second transmit/receive elements, said second body weighing less
than one pound.
[0011] In still another embodiment, we describe a lightweight
medical ultrasound system comprising a first body having system
electronics, a first transmit/receive element and a first power
supply, said first body weighing less than two pounds; a second
body having a digital beam former; an A/D converter circuit, a
transducer array, a second power supply, a second transmit/receive
element and at least one control element, said second body weighing
less than one pound; and a headset comprising a visual display, a
receive element and a third power supply such that the first body,
second body and head set are in communication with each other
through the first and second transmit/receive element and the
receive element so that a user may control the system through the
at least one control element of the second body, while the first
body performs the diagnostic operations through said system
electronics, and the user may see the operations through the visual
display of the head set.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, we describe a system as detailed
above wherein the first body and the second body are incorporated
into a single transducer assembly weighing less than two pounds and
sharing a single power supply and having a single transmit/receive
element.
[0013] Methods of using the various embodiments are also
provided.
[0014] These and other embodiments of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon a detailed inspection of the detailed
description of the invention, and a study of the appended
claims.
[0015] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims
of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages will be better
understood from the following description when considered in
connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as
a definition of the limits of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIGS. 1A-D illustrate a balance body ultrasound device of
the present invention; and
[0018] FIGS. 2-20 illustrate alternative embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Several terms have been clarified here to facilitate an
understanding of the present invention.
[0020] Balance Body: A design for an ultrasound device where the
center of gravity for the device is positioned close to the
strength of a user's hand. By shifting components around in the
internal arrangement of the device, an aperture can be made in the
device body where system electronics and other essential elements
are, such that the device body is balanced for more comfortable
holding in a user's hand.
[0021] D-controller: Any of a variety of control devices allowing a
user to "point and click." The D-controller may be a digital
directional controller (such as a four or eight directional
controller), an analog "joystick." The D-controller allows a user
to navigate an on-screen menu or displayed graphics similar to the
use of a touch pad or lap top "nipple" pointing style device.
[0022] The present invention describes a hand held ultrasound
system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to
said balance body via a connection means, and a plurality of
control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on the balance
body. The system is designed such that a user may hold the balance
body and operate a key control element, such as a D-controller,
with the same hand.
[0023] Turning now to FIGS. 1A-1C, a medical ultrasound system 10
comprises a balance body 100 incorporating system electronics, a
power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface
comprises a D-controller 112 and a touch screen 110, the transducer
assembly 123 is connected to the balance body 100 via a cable 121
extending from a cable port 120.
[0024] The balance body 100 is a housing containing the system
electronics, power supply and user interface. The balance body 100
has an aperture 136 through which a user may insert his or her
hand. The aperture 136 is shaped to be comfortable for the majority
of users. The balance body 100 has the aperture 136 for the user's
hand arranged so the user's palm and fingers support the weight of
the device by being essentially flat against the backside of the
balance body 100. The user's thumb wraps around to the front face
of the balance body 100, and the D-controller 112 is positioned
such that the user's thumb can easily manipulate the D-controller
112 while the user's palm and fingers support the weight of the
balance body. In one embodiment, the power supply is located in the
handle 114, opposite the system electronics (the aperture for a
user's hand being between the power supply and the system
electronics). Since the power supply is one of the heavier elements
of the medical ultrasound system 10, the counter balancing effect
makes the medical ultrasound system 10 easier to use and hold
through the aperture 136. A power supply release button 116 is
provided when necessary to remove the power supply within the
handle 114.
[0025] A plurality of control elements or buttons 128, 132, 134 are
also accessible to the user's thumb, these control buttons or
control elements are arrayed about the D-controller 112 so the user
does not have to extend the thumb into an awkward position in order
to actuate these control elements. Additional control elements 130,
126, such as the on/off switch 126 are purposefully positioned out
of reach of the user's thumb, thus avoiding inadvertently turning
the system off during a medical scan. The control elements need not
be buttons per se. The present invention can also operate using a
series of touch pads that would supplement the primary D-controller
112, or utilize spring loaded dials that may be adjusted, then
depressed below the surface of the balance body. The screen 110 is
preferably a touch screen, and a stylus 122 is incorporated into
the balance body 100 so a user may use the stylus 122, fingers (of
the user's second hand), or the D-controller 112 to input
information through the touch screen 110. It should be noted here
the D-controller 112 can also be used to position a pointer in a
graphics image. In this manner a user may select an area of an
image for enhanced viewing, or gain additional information about an
icon on the screen or data about a scan image, or perform a manual
trace of a scan image. The touch screen 110 has a plurality of
image presentation styles, and among them is a QWERTY style
keyboard so a user can input information such as patient data, or
notes from an ultrasound scan.
[0026] The transducer assembly 123, or scan head comprises a
transducer array and an inter-connector for coupling the transducer
array to the cable. The transducer assembly 123 is connected to the
balance body 100 by a cable 121 that feeds control signals to the
transducer array (for steering, scan mode, etc.) as well as power
from the power supply in the balance body 100. The transducer
assembly 123 may be permanently affixed to the balance body through
the cable 121, or the cable may be removable such that a different
scan head/transducer assembly can be attached to the balance
body.
[0027] Additional features that may be incorporated onto the
balance body include a holster 124 for retaining the transducer
assembly 123 when not in use, a receptacle for placement of the
stylus, an aperture 138 on the back side for connecting a locking
pin into the balance body (when placed into a docking station), a
spacer (not shown) for use in the aperture to accommodate smaller
user hands and increase the user audience able to use the system
and a hinge for the display screen so it can be tilted or swiveled.
A data I/O port 140 is provided for communication with a docking
station. Referring to FIGS. 7A & 7B, a balance body 700 is
shown before (FIG. 7A) and after (FIG. 7B) insertion into a docking
station 701. U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,475 teaches a PCMCIA data I/O
port.
[0028] Dimensionally, the medical ultrasound system of the present
embodiment ha a total system weight under three and one half pounds
(3.50 lbs.). The cable is of varying length but is designed to be
sufficient for a user to comfortably hold the balance body in the
user's field of view and scan a patient simultaneously. The balance
body comprises the bulk of the weight while the transducer assembly
generally weighs less than eight ounces (0.5 lbs.). The balance
body measures less than twelve inches long, seven inches in height
and two inches in depth (12''.times.7''.times.2'') not including
the transducer assembly and attaching cable.
[0029] FIG. 1D illustrates a right-handed model of the present
invention, where the controls are a mirror image of those in FIGS.
1A-C. FIGS. 2-6 and 8-17 show lightweight ultrasound instrument
bodies (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300,
1400, 1500, 1600, 1700). FIG. 13 shows an instrument body 1300 with
an adjustable display screen. FIGS. 15 and 17 show an instrument
body 1500, 1700 with a transducer 1501, 1701. FIG. 18 shows an
instrument body 1800 having an integrated transducer assembly.
[0030] The medical ultrasound system also allows for the entry of a
key code to permit upgrades to the software of the device. The
operation of the key code is explained in greater detail in
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/062,179 filed Feb. 1, 2002,
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,566.
[0031] A second embodiment of the present invention forms a
lightweight ultrasound instrument comprising a body having a power
supply, a user interface for controlling the instrument, a display
screen, and a system electronics package capable of a plurality of
diagnostic ultrasound modes. In this embodiment, the body may
optionally be a balance body. A transducer assembly is attached to
the body via a wire of thin flexible cable, the transducer assembly
comprises a digital beam former, an A/D converter circuit and a
transducer array. The body, transducer assembly and wire combined
weigh less than three pounds.
[0032] The wire connecting the body and transducer assembly
provides power to the transducer assembly, and a signal path for
the body and transducer assembly to communicate using digital data.
In this manner the need for an analog cable, having many data paths
for analog signals, is eliminated, and spares additional weight.
The signal from the transducer array returns through the digital
beam former incorporated into the transducer assembly so only
digital information goes between the body and the transducer
assembly.
[0033] The control elements of the lightweight ultrasound
instrument are similar to those described above. A plurality of
control elements, of which one is preferably a D-controller, and a
touch screen. Again the body can be held with one hand, so the
user's thumb, or fingers can access the D-controller on the
body.
[0034] In a third embodiment, a wireless diagnostic ultrasound
system comprises a first body, and a second body. The first body is
the main unit having system electronics, a user interface having a
display screen and at least one control element, a first wireless
transmit/receive circuit and a first power supply. The second body
is a transducer assembly having a digital beam former, an A/D
converter circuit, a transducer array, a second power supply and a
second transmit/receive element such that the digital beam former
of the second body can be controlled by the system electronics of
the first body using the first and second transmit/receive
circuits. The first and second transmit/receive circuits being a
wireless means for communicating between the first body and the
second body. Wireless data transfer and communication are
well-understood technologies. Any standard wireless transmission
standard capable of supporting the digital information
communication of the present invention may be used.
[0035] The display screen in this embodiment is preferably a touch
screen as well. The use of touch screen permits the same advantages
for ease of use to a user as previously described. A D-controller
as one of the control elements allows for simple one-handed
operation of the first body while the second hand holds the
transducer assembly in place. The wireless design permits a user
total freedom from encumbering cable and wire connections to the
first body such that the transducer array can be positioned easily
for manual steering.
[0036] In a fourth embodiment, the invention comprises a first body
having system electronics (FIG. 20 at 2000), a first transmit and
receive element (FIG. 20 at 2001), and a first power supply. The
first body weighs less than two pounds. A second body houses the
transducer assembly. The transducer assembly has a digital beam
former, an A/D circuit, a transducer array, a second power supply,
a second transmit and receive element and at least one control
element. The second body weighs less than one pound. A head set
(FIG. 20 at 2002) is provided comprising a visual display (FIG. 20
at 2003), a receive element and a third power supply such that the
first body, second body and head set are all in real time
communication with each other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,024 describes
that video information can be communicated from a video output in
several television formats. The user can control the system through
the second body or first body while visualizing the ultrasound scan
through the head set. Voice recognition capability can be added to
the head set through a head set microphone, allowing a user to
command the operation of the ultrasound system at some level using
voice activated commands instead of one or more of the manual
control elements. FIG. 19 shows a medical ultrasound system where
the first body and the second body are incorporated into a single
transducer assembly 1900. A headset 1901 communicates wirelessly
with single transducer assembly 1900.
[0037] Another embodiment of the invention may comprise a medical
ultrasound system wherein an I/O port for connecting to a docking
station further comprises a data path, a control path, and a power
path for communicating with the docking station, such that data can
move between said medical ultrasound system and the docking
station, such that the medical ultrasound system can be controlled
through the docking station, and such that the power supply can be
recharged through the power path.
[0038] Yet another embodiment of the invention may comprise a
medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating
system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the
user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a
transducer assembly attached to the balanced body via a cable. In
this embodiment, the system electronics comprise a digital beam
former, an image processor, and a first digital signal processor
capable of processing B mode, M mode and flow (2D Doppler) scans.
Some embodiments may comprise a second digital signal processor
comprising a digital Doppler QBP filter for filtering PW Doppler
signals and a digital signal processor core for PW Doppler signal
processing. A description of a digital signal processor of this
type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,101, incorporated herein
by reference. In some embodiments, the first digital signal
processor and the second digital signal processor are integrated
into a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A
data storage means for ultrasound scans may be included. ASIC
architecture is further described in Paragraphs 15, 50-54, 57-59,
63-65, and 67 of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/062,179,
incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] Other embodiments may comprise a medical ultrasound system
comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power
supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a
D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached
to the balanced body via a cable, the medical ultrasound system
being a programmable diagnostic ultrasound instrument having a
plurality of diagnostic modes. Other transducer and balance body
assemblies are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,475, incorporated
by reference herein. Access to the diagnostic modes is controlled
through a gate flag registry, the gate flag registry capable of
modification through a verification procedure utilizing a secure
means for extracting hidden bits from a keycode based on one or
more unique system identifiers. Keycodes are further described in
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/062,179, incorporated by
reference herein.
[0040] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is
not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the
process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,
methods and steps described in the specification. As one of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the
disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines,
manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,
presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,
methods, or steps.
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