US 2010/0168576 A1 · Light Weight Wireless Ultrasound Probe

Abstract

A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array stack, a microbeamformer coupled to the transducer array, an acquisition module, an ultra wideband transceiver, a power circuit, and a rechargeable battery with a total weight of 300 grams or less. Preferably the total weight of these components does not exceed 150 grams, and most preferably the total weight of these components does not exceed 130 grams. The transceiver wirelessly transmits echo information signals to an ultrasound system host where the signals may undergo additional ultrasound signal processing such as further beamforming, image processing and display. The battery is preferably a rechargeable battery and the antenna for the transceiver is located at the end of the probe opposite the transducer stack.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An ultrasonic imaging probe which transmits image data wirelessly to a host system for display comprising:

an array transducer;
a beamformer circuit coupled to the array transducer;
an acquisition controller coupled to the beamformer;
a transceiver responsive to at least partially beamformed echo signals, which acts to wirelessly transmit image information signals to the host system;
a power circuit which operates to provide energizing potential to the array transducer, the beamformer circuit, the acquisition controller, and the wireless transceiver;
and
a battery coupled to the power circuit,
wherein the array transducer, beamformer circuit, acquisition controller, transceiver, power circuit and battery are enclosed inside a probe enclosure and the total weight of the probe enclosure and enclosed components does not exceed 300 grams.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Light Weight Wireless Ultrasound Probe

Life of this patent

Light Weight Wireless Ultrasound Probe

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19