US 8,317,702 B2 · Full-field breast ultrasound system and architecture

Abstract

A modular, flexible architecture for offering full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) functionality and general-purpose ultrasound functionality in a single system is described. A conventional, general-purpose ultrasound system (202) is modified with an FFBU toolkit to create a dual-capability ultrasound system (200), the dual-capability ultrasound system (200) being able to accommodate both general-purpose ultrasound functionality and FFBU functionality, using a single ultrasound engine (112). Among other advantages, real-world clinical environments may enjoy cost savings for initial system procurement, space savings on clinic floors, easier and less expensive system upgrades, and the ability to use a single system and user interface for both FFBU screening and for follow-up diagnosis, biopsy, etc. Among other advantages from an ultrasound manufacturer's perspective are the ability to quickly and/or more easily come to market with an FFBU-related offering by modifying their existing general-purpose ultrasound systems (202) with FFBU toolkits to quickly create dual-capability ultrasound systems (200).

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for modifying a general purpose ultrasound system, the general purpose ultrasound system being conventionally equipped with first and second ports each configured to couple to a hand-held probe, the method comprising:

coupling a hand-held probe to said first port;
coupling a mechanically-driven breast scanning probe to said second port, said mechanically-driven breast scanning probe being a component of a full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) scanning apparatus including probe driving hardware and associated probe driving circuitry;
establishing a data communication path between said probe driving circuitry and said general purpose ultrasound system;
and
programming said general purpose ultrasound system to accommodate both (i) a first operating mode in which said hand-held probe is operated in a conventional manner and signals therefrom are processed according to a conventional hand-held operation of the general purpose ultrasound system, and (ii) a second operating mode in which said breast scanning probe is mechanically driven under control of the general purpose ultrasound system while signals therefrom are processed by the general purpose ultrasound system to generate FFBU breast image data.

2 more elements

A dual-purpose ultrasound system, comprising:

a general purpose ultrasound system, the general purpose ultrasound system being conventionally equipped with first and second ports each configured to couple to a hand-held probe;
a hand-held probe coupled to said first port;
a full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) scanning apparatus comprising a mechanically-driven breast scanning probe, probe driving hardware for driving said breast scanning probe, and probe driving circuitry associated with said probe driving hardware, wherein said breast scanning probe is coupled to said second port of said general purpose ultrasound system;
and
a data communication path between said probe driving circuitry and said general purpose ultrasound system;
wherein said general purpose ultrasound system is configured to accommodate both (i) a first operating mode in which said hand-held probe is operated in a conventional manner and signals therefrom are processed according to a conventional hand-held operation of the general purpose ultrasound system, and (ii) a second operating mode in which said breast scanning probe is mechanically driven under control of the general purpose ultrasound system while signals therefrom are processed by the general purpose ultrasound system to generate FFBU breast image data.

3 more elements

A full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) toolkit for adapting and integrating a general purpose ultrasound system into a dual-purpose ultrasound system, the general purpose ultrasound system being conventionally equipped with first and second ports each configured to couple to a hand-held probe, the FFBU toolkit comprising:

a full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) scanning apparatus comprising a mechanically-driven breast scanning probe, probe driving hardware for driving said breast scanning probe, and probe driving circuitry associated with said probe driving hardware, wherein said breast scanning probe is configured to couple to the second port of the general purpose ultrasound system;
means for establishing a data communication path between said probe driving circuitry and the general purpose ultrasound system;
and
means for programming said general purpose ultrasound system to accommodate both (i) a first operating mode in which a hand-held probe coupled to the first port is operated in a conventional manner and signals therefrom are processed according to a conventional hand-held operation of the general purpose ultrasound system, and (ii) a second operating mode in which said breast scanning probe is coupled to said second port and is mechanically driven under control of the general purpose ultrasound system while signals therefrom are processed by the general purpose ultrasound system to generate FFBU breast image data.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Full-field breast ultrasound system and architecture

Life of this patent

Full-field breast ultrasound system and architecture

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20