US 6,663,569 B1 · Diagnostic ultrasound system cart with variable elevation control panel

Abstract

A cart-borne ultrasound system is described which includes a portable cart holding the electronic circuitry of the ultrasound system, a control panel for controlling the ultrasound system, and a display. The control panel is supported by an articulating mechanism which enables the control panel to be raised and lowered to accommodate operators of different height, and enables the control panel to move toward and away from the user to accommodate users in the sitting or standing positions. In a preferred embodiment the articulating mechanism comprises a parallelogram-shaped linkage which also maintains a constant angle of inclination of the control panel as it is raised and lowered.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A cart-borne ultrasound system including a movable cart having a center;

electronic circuitry located on the cart which processes ultrasound signals for the formation of ultrasound images, and a display coupled to the circuitry for the display of ultrasound images, comprising:
a control panel coupled to the electronic circuitry for user control of the ultrasound system;
and
an articulation mechanism mounted on the cart and coupled to the control panel which enables the control panel to be articulated vertically while maintaining a substantially constant angle of inclination, the articulation mechanism further enabling the control panel to move closer to the center of the cart in the highest position and further from the center of the cart in the lowest position.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Diagnostic ultrasound system cart with variable elevation control panel

Life of this patent

Diagnostic ultrasound system cart with variable elevation control panel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25