Back to results
US 9,808,224 B2Granted
Method and systems for a removable transducer with memory of an automated breast ultrasound system
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJiayu Chen, Douglas G. Summers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various methods and systems are provided for a removable transducer module having memory. In one example, a transducer module for an ultrasound imaging system comprises a casing configured to fit into a module receiver of the ultrasound imaging system, an array of transducer elements, and a non-transitory memory configured to store at least one of usage data and specification data for the transducer module.
Claims11
An apparatus for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample, comprising:
- an adjustable arm;
- a scanning assembly attached to the adjustable arm, the scanning assembly comprising:
- a housing configured to define an opening;
- a module receiver including a motor for translating the module receiver across the opening of the housing;
- and
- a transducer module adapted to be removably coupled with the module receiver, the transducer module comprising:
- a plurality of transducer elements forming a transducer array;
- a plurality of pressure sensors distributed across the transducer module;
- a memory;
- and
- a processor configured to receive output from the plurality of pressure sensors and execute non-transitory instructions stored in the memory for:
- determining usage data of the transducer module based at least in part on pressure data, the pressure data based on the received output from the plurality of pressure sensors;
- storing the determined usage data in the memory;
- and
- sending a notification to a user to service the transducer module in response to determining the stored usage data meets a condition relative to a threshold.
12 more elements
An apparatus for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample, comprising:
- an adjustable arm;
- a scanning assembly attached to the adjustable arm, the scanning assembly comprising:
- a housing configured to define an opening;
- a module receiver including a motor for translating the module receiver across the opening of the housing;
- and
- a transducer module adapted to be removably coupled with the module receiver, the transducer module comprising:
- a plurality of transducer elements forming a transducer array;
- a plurality of pressure sensors distributed across the transducer module;
- a memory;
- and
- a processor configured to receive output from the plurality of pressure sensors and execute non-transitory instructions stored in the memory for:
- determining a distribution of pressure across the transducer module based on the received output from the plurality of pressure sensors;
- sending a signal to initiate scanning with the scanning assembly in response to the determined distribution of pressure across the transducer module being substantially equal, such that each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors measures a pressure that is within a threshold range of an average pressure of all pressure sensors in the plurality of pressure sensors;
- and
- during scanning, determining usage data of the transducer module based at least in part on pressure data, the pressure data based on the received output from the plurality of pressure sensors and storing the determined usage data in the memory.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.