System and method for using an ultrasound transducer with an integrated transducer information system
AssigneeAcuson Corporation
InventorVaughn Marian
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Abstract
The present invention is an ultrasound imaging system comprising a transducer assembly having a scan-head, a non-volatile means for storing data related to transducer usage, user comments, technical support, maintenace of the transducer assembly, operational imaging system software for at least one imaging system, transducer assembly identification, and settings of an ultrasound imaging apparatus coupled with the transducer assembly. The transducer assembly and ultrasound imaging apparatus may commuicate with each other.
Claims23
An ultrasound imaging system comprising:
- a transducer assembly having a scan-head, a non-volatile means for storing data related to at least one of the following:
- (a) transducer usage
- (b) user comments
- (c) technical support
- (d) maintenace of the transducer assembly
- (e) operational imaging system software for at least one imaging system
- (f) transducer assembly identification
- (g) settings of an ultrasound imaging apparatus coupled with the transducer assembly
- a means for communicating with the ultrasound imaging apparatus coupled with the transducer assembly;
- and
- the ultrasound imaging apparatus having a means for communicating with the transducer assembly.
A transducer assembly comprising:
- a scan-head;
- a non-volatile means for storing data related to at least one of the following:
- (a) transducer usage
- (b) user comments
- (c) technical support
- (d) maintenace of the transducer assembly
- (e) operational imaging system software for at least one imaging system
- (f) transducer assembly identification
- (g) settings of an ultrasound imaging apparatus coupled with the transducer assembly;
- and
- a means for communicating with the ultrasound imaging apparatus coupled with the transducer assembly.
An apparatus comprising an ultrasound imaging system and a transducer assembly coupled to the ultrasound imaging system, wherein:
- the transducer assembly comprises:
- a scan head,
- non-volatile means for storing data related to characteristics of the transducer assembly determined at the time of assembly,
- means for communicating the data to the ultrasound imaging system;
- and
- the ultrasound imaging system comprises:
- means for receiving the data related to the characteristics of the transducer assembly determined at the time of assembly;
- and
- means for maximizing the performance of the transducer assembly based upon the data related to the characteristics of the transducer assembly determined at the time of assembly.
A method of operating a transducer assembly to process usage data of the transducer assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- Inputting transducer usage data into an ultrasound imaging system coupled with the transducer assembly, wherein the ultrasound imaging system is located in a first location;
- transmitting the transducer usage data to at least a second location;
- using the transducer usage data to determine cost data of the usage of the transducer assembly;
- transmitting the cost data to the first location.
A method of operating a transducer assembly to process maintenance data of the transducer assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- inputting transducer usage data into an ultrasound imaging system coupled with the transducer assembly, wherein the ultrasound imaging system is located in a first location;
- transmitting the transducer usage data to at least a second location;
- using the transducer usage data to determine maintenance needs of the transducer assembly;
- providing maintenance for the transducer assembly at the first location based upon the transducer usage data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.