Abstract: Appliances, methods, and systems (e.g., utilities) for use in analyzing received pressure waves to obtain and deduce various types of meaningful information therefrom (e.g., testing operation of an acoustic device that generates beams of acoustic energy). A pressure sensor in the disclosed system makes use of a piezoelectric layer or film (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)) that has been substantially uniformly poled prior to interconnection with electrodes that are configured to send electrical signals to a controller or the like for generation of a dynamic, image (e.g., 2D) representing the received pressure waves. Among other advantages, the disclosed system leverages excellent economy of scale, can be configured in different arrangements with reduced cost, and limits the need for adapters or reverse engineering (e.g., as it can operate independently of the design of a probe or system under test.

Abstract: Devices and methods for protecting and transporting medical probes including, but not limited to, ultrasound transducers and more specifically ultrasound transducers designed for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). A transport apparatus may include a housing for protecting a control housing of a medical probe and an elongate member extending from the housing. The elongate member may be configured to engage the insertion tube of the probe and maintain an arch shape of the insertion tube during transport to prevent damage from over-flexing of the insertion tube.

Abstract: A device for selectively establishing an electrical connection between an array of electrical contacts of a connector of an ultrasound system and an electrical apparatus (e.g., testing apparatus). The device includes a tray including a floor and a wall extending away from and surrounding the floor to define a receptacle of the tray, a shaft non-movably fixed to the floor within the receptacle and including a longitudinal axis that extends away from the floor, and an electrical connection assembly rotatably secured about the shaft within the receptacle to selectively establish an electrical connection between the electrical contact array of the connector and the electrical apparatus. The device is configured to accept ultrasound connectors of a wide variety of shapes, sizes, electrical contact array configurations, and the like.

Abstract: Devices and methods for testing the operation of acoustic devices such as ultrasonic probes. The disclosed devices and methods identify failures of individual piezoelectric elements of various types of ultrasonic probes free of family-specific adapters to interface with such probes and free of acoustic coupling fluids or the like to establish acoustic coupling with the probes. In one arrangement, a testing appliance is disclosed that includes a testing unit and first and second probes electrically connected thereto. After an operator has established electrical connections between the first probe and a first contact of a connector assembly of the acoustic probe and between the second probe and a ground return path of the connector assembly, the testing device may pass a current through an electric circuit between the first and second probes and determine one or more corresponding electrical quantities of the circuit for establishing statuses of the probe.

Abstract: Appliances and methods are disclosed for testing operation of an acoustic device that generates beams of acoustic energy. An imaging array generates electrical signals in response to impinging receipt of acoustic energy. An acoustic-energy direction system is disposed to focus acoustic energy onto the imaging array. A controller is electrically coupled with the acoustic device and with the imaging array. The controller has instructions to generate an image on a display from electrical signals received by the controller from the imaging array. The electrical signals are received by the controller in response to generation of a beam of acoustic energy by the acoustic device. The beam of acoustic energy is directed towards the acoustic-energy direction system. The image provides a representation of the generated beam of acoustic energy.

Abstract: Appliances and methods are disclosed for testing operation of an acoustic device that generates beams of acoustic energy. An imaging array generates electrical signals in response to impinging receipt of acoustic energy. An acoustic-energy direction system is disposed to focus acoustic energy onto the imaging array. A controller is electrically coupled with the acoustic device and with the imaging array. The controller has instructions to generate an image on a display from electrical signals received by the controller from the imaging array. The electrical signals are received by the controller in response to generation of a beam of acoustic energy by the acoustic device. The beam of acoustic energy is directed towards the acoustic-energy direction system. The image provides a representation of the generated beam of acoustic energy.