System and method supporting imaging and monitoring applications

A method for performing imaging and monitoring applications, said method comprising:

• electrically coupling a PDA/MDA to an external controller;
• placing a scan head in communication with said external controller;
• integrating an optical acquisition unit into said PDA/MDA;
• under control of said PDA/MDA, acquiring and transmitting optical video of a patient;
• under control of said scan head, acquiring signals to be processed into images of said patient;
• attaching at least one robe to said patient wherein said at least one probe communicates with said external controller to provide monitoring information;
• and
• under control of said external controller, converting said signals into images, processing said monitoring information and transferring said images and said monitoring information from said external controller to said PDA/MDA, wherein said PDA/MDA simultaneously displays at least two of said optical video, said monitoring information and said images.

A portable medical device comprising:

• an external controller in the form of a sleeve receiving a PDA via an output device forming a unified device for processing and displaying monitoring and ultrasound imaging data;
• a scan head in communication with said external controller wherein said scan head acquires and communicates ultrasound imaging data to said external controller;
• at least one physiological sensor in communication with said external controller for acquiring said monitoring data and transferring said monitoring data to said external controller;
• and
• wherein said external controller processes data collected by said scan head and said at least one sensor and transfers said data to said PDA for display.

A method for performing dual-mode ultrasound imaging and video applications, said method comprising:

• electrically coupling a general purpose computer to an ultrasound adapter via a releasable communication link;
• placing a scan head in communication with said ultrasound adapter;
• pointing said general purpose computer coupled to said ultrasound adapter in the direction of at least one patient to acquire video of said at least one patient;
• under control of said scan head, acquiring signals to be processed into ultrasound images of said patient;
• and
• under control of said ultrasound adapter, converting said signals into ultrasound images and transferring said ultrasound images and said video for viewing on said general purpose computer,
• wherein said dual-mode imaging and video applications are simultaneously performed on a patient.