Interconnectable ultrasound transducer probes and related methods and apparatus
AssigneeButterfly Network, Inc.
InventorsJonathan M. Rothberg, Keith G. Fife, Nevada J. Sanchez, Tyler S. Ralston, Gregory L. Charvat, Gregory Corteville
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Abstract
Ultrasound devices and methods are described, including a repeatable ultrasound transducer probe having ultrasonic transducers and corresponding circuitry. The repeatable ultrasound transducer probe may be used individually or coupled with other instances of the repeatable ultrasound transducer probe to create a desired ultrasound device. The ultrasound devices may optionally be connected to various types of external devices to provide additional processing and image rendering functionality.
Claims23
A configurable ultrasound apparatus, comprising a plurality of microfabricated ultrasound elements having respective outputs couplable to an integrated low noise amplifier (LNA) in a variable configuration.
A method of operating a configurable ultrasound apparatus, comprising coupling outputs of a variable number of ultrasound elements to an input of a low noise amplifier (LNA).
A configurable ultrasound apparatus, comprising:
- a semiconductor substrate;
- a plurality of ultrasound elements integrated on the semiconductor substrate;
- a low noise amplifier (LNA) integrated on the semiconductor substrate;
- and
- a plurality of switches configured to couple outputs of the plurality of ultrasound elements with an input of the LNA and configured to couple a variable number of the plurality of ultrasound elements with the LNA.
A method of operating a configurable ultrasound apparatus having a plurality of ultrasound elements integrated on a semiconductor substrate with a low noise amplifier (LNA), the method comprising:
- operating a plurality of switches to couple a variable number of the plurality of ultrasound elements to the LNA.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.