Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide electrical and mechanical enhancements for a modular transducer system. In one preferred embodiment, a multiplexer is provided to reduce the number of circuits required to support a given transducer configuration. The multiplexer can be integrated into the scan head or the receptacle assembly of the modular transducer system. In another preferred embodiment, a scan head is provided with circuitry operative to compensate for mismatch in electrical impedance by increasing energy transfer between the transducer array and the cable assembly. In yet another preferred embodiment, a scan head is provided with circuitry operative to form a band pass filter programmable by the medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system. With a further preferred embodiment, a scan head is provided with a non-volatile memory device. Some other preferred embodiments describe mechanical enhancements for the modular transducer system.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system transmitter control in a modular transducer system. With these preferred embodiments, transmitters in a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system are enabled only when contacts in a scan head are electrically coupled with contacts in a receptacle assembly of a modular transducer system. This prevents high voltages from developing in the receptacle assembly when the scan head is removed from or is not fully engaged with the receptacle assembly. In one preferred embodiment, a detector is used to detect movement of a member comprising the contacts in the receptacle assembly. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A plurality of piezomaterial bodies, such as panels or slices, are merged together to form a larger piezomaterial body. For example, a 0.75×22 cm polycrystalline piezomaterial body is formed, where the distances are along lateral or footprint dimensions. The thickness of the piezomaterial body is substantially less than either of the distances along first and second lateral dimensions that define the footprint. Preferably, each piezomaterial body has a panel shape, and a plurality of panels are merged to form a large multi-panel.

Abstract: A plurality of piezomaterial bodies, such as panels or slices, are merged together to form a larger piezomaterial body. For example, a 0.75×22 cm polycrystalline piezomaterial body is formed, where the distances are along lateral or footprint dimensions. The thickness of the piezomaterial body is substantially less than either of the distances along first and second lateral dimensions that define the footprint. Preferably, each piezomaterial body has a panel shape, and a plurality of panels are merged to form a large multi-panel.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer having a field of view greater than 180.degree., and having a physical shape which permits it to be employed in the investigation and observation of the anatomy, or other body, object or region of interest, having limited access. A plurality of ultrasound transducer arrays are provided, each having a field of view defining an image plane, wherein the axis of each transducer array lies within its corresponding defined image plane. Preferably, the plurality of transducer arrays are positioned end-to-end and nonaxially aligned with the image planes of all transducer arrays coincident, and with each transducer array having a field of view of about 90.degree., whereby a resulting combined field of view greater than 90.degree. is produced.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer having a field of view greater than 180.degree., and having a physical shape which permits it to be employed in the investigation and observation of the anatomy, or other body, object or region of interest, having limited access. A plurality of ultrasound transducer arrays are provided, each having a field of view defining an image plane, wherein the axis of each transducer array lies within its corresponding defined image plane. Preferably, the plurality of transducer arrays are positioned end-to-end and nonaxially aligned with the image planes of all transducer arrays coincident, and with each transducer array having a field of view of about 90.degree., whereby a resulting combined field of view greater than 90.degree. is produced.

Abstract: A connector system of use with ultrasound imaging probes is fully submersible in liquids and saturated steam at elevated temperatures and pressure. The system includes a submersible connector (32) for terminating a probe assembly (26) and a receptacle assembly (74) for mating the submersible connector (32) with an ultrasound imaging system (10). The submersible connector (32) includes a printed wiring board (34) having plated contact pads (48) on one surface and microcoaxial cable terminations (54) on the opposite side. A molded housing (36) encloses the microcoaxial cable terminations (54) and is bonded to the printed wiring board (34). The edges of the printed wiring board (34) are used to align the submersible connector (32) within the receptacle assembly (74). The molded housing (36) is narrowed in one dimension to make available a portion of the printed wiring board (34) for clamping in a locked position.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasound imaging system receptacles are arranged either vertically one above the other or horizontally side-by-side, each receptacle having an insertion slot for receiving the contact pads of an inserted ultrasound transducer connector. All of a number of connectors may be inserted into corresponding receptacles, and the system functions to mutually exclusively engage a single receptacle with its inserted connector. An electrical circuit arrangement is provided for automatically sensing the transducer in use without an operator having to make the selection manually. An interconnect and actuation scheme permits the multiport connector/receptacle arrangement to be manufactured at low cost. The modest size of the connectors and the receptacle assembly allows their placement at convenient locations on the system, and the simple basic design of the connector allows for submersion in liquid disinfectants.

Abstract: An ultrasound adapter assembly includes a rectangular zero-insertion-force receptacle, such as the ITT Cannon.RTM. DL-series Zero Insertion Force ("DL-ZIF") receptacle, and a high-density micro-coaxial ("HDMC") connector plug interconnected by micro-coaxial conductors. The adapter assembly includes a frame for supporting the two connectors and a locking mechanism for use in semi-permanently attaching the adapter assembly to an ultrasound imaging system receptacle. The adapter assembly permits old-style ultrasound transducer assemblies having the rectangular zero-insertion-force plug to be used with newer ultrasound imaging systems using the newer HDMC interfacing system. In an alternative embodiment, the two connectors are electrically interconnected using flex-circuit. The HDMC connector plug is formed using a multi-layer printed wiring board having a high density array of electrical contact pads on one surface arranged for compatible mating with the newer system HDMC interfacing receptacle.

Abstract: A connector system for use with ultrasound imaging probes is fully submersible in liquids and saturated steam at elevated temperatures and pressure, and is durable over many connect/disconnect cycles. The system includes a submersible connector (32) for terminating a probe assembly (26) and a receptacle assembly (74) for mating the submersible connector (32) with an ultrasound imaging system (10). The submersible connector (32) includes a printed wiring board (34) having plated contact pads (48) on one surface and microcoaxial cable terminations (54) on the opposite side. A molded housing (36) encloses the microcoaxial cable terminations (54) and is bonded to the printed wiring board (34). The edges of the printed wiring board (34) are used to align the submersible connector (32) within the receptacle assembly (74). The molded housing (36) is narrowed in one dimension to make available a portion of the printed wiring board (34) for clamping in a locked position.

Abstract: A modular transducer system includes a small, hand held adapter which remains permanently attached to an ultrasound system console and permits the rapid connection and disconnection of individual, sterilizable ultrasound transducers. In a preferred embodiment, the hand held adapter is connected to the system by a retractable cable. In another preferred embodiment, the individual transducers are identifiable by the system using transducer generated binary codes. The individual transducers are submersible in a wide variety of liquids including cleaning solutions and disinfectants. The small transducers are easily stored at the site of the ultrasound examination. Bulky, awkward, time consuming cables and connectors are eliminated.

Abstract: A modular transducer system includes a small, hand held adapter which remains permanently attached to an ultrasound system console and permits the rapid connection and disconnection of individual, sterilizable ultrasound transducers. In a preferred embodiment, the hand held adapter is connected to the system by a retractable cable. In another preferred embodiment, the individual transducers are identifiable by the system using transducer generated binary codes. The individual transducers are submersible in a wide variety of liquids including cleaning solutions and disinfectants. The small transducers are easily stored at the site of the ultrasound examination. Bulky, awkward, time consuming cables and connectors are eliminated.