Cart-borne ultrasonic imaging system with improved locking device

A cart-borne ultrasonic imaging system comprising:

• a cart housing mounted on wheels;
• a control panel or a support for a portable ultrasound unit;
• an articulating arm assembly to which the control panel is connected for adjusting the position of the control panel, or the support for a portable ultrasound unit is connected for adjusting the position of the support for a portable ultrasound unit, the articulating arm assembly including an arm pivotally connected with a first joint rotatably mounted on the cart housing and a second joint rotatably mounted on the control panel, or the support for a portable ultrasound unit, wherein the arm includes a 4-bar linkage optionally including a main damping member;
• and
• a locking mechanism which acts to restrict motion of the articulating arm assembly, wherein
• the locking mechanism comprises one or more electromagnetic elements controllable to exert a magnetic force on movable actuating elements comprising:
• a friction mass coupled with a corresponding braking element acting to restrict rotation of the first joint with respect to the cart and/or of the second joint with respect to the control panel / the support for a portable ultrasound unit;
• and/or
• a locking member kinematically coupled with the main damping member acting to restrict the movement of such damping member and thus of the 4-bar linkage,
• wherein the electromagnetic elements are electrically actuated by a switch so that, upon activating the switch, the electromagnetic elements are energized to move synchronously the actuating elements in an unlocking position.