Abstract: A medical imaging system has a radiation source, a radiation sensor, a data-collection unit, and an imaging system. The radiation source has an opening to direct a collimated radiation beam in a direction towards a patient. The radiation sensor is disposed proximate the opening and within the collimated radiation beam to measure a fluence of the collimated radiation beam. The data-collection unit is disposed to collect radiation from the collimated beam after interaction with the patient. The imaging system is in communication with the data-collection unit and configured to generate an image of a portion of the patient from the collected radiation.

Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an acoustic probe having transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical signal is generated at a frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies. The electrical signal is transmitted to at least some of the transducing elements to measure a complex impedance and thereby evaluate a performance of the transducing elements.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for analyzing the response of a device under test using a signal generated by an audio card comprises a housing. The apparatus comprises a first connector coupled to the housing and configured to couple electrically with an output of the audio card and to receive a first signal from the audio card. The apparatus also comprises a second connector being electrically coupled with the first connector and configured to interface with the device under test in order to transmit the first signal to a device under test. The apparatus also comprises a third connector configured to receive a second signal from the device under test. The apparatus also comprises a fourth connector being electrically coupled with the third connector and configured to transmit the second signal to an input of the audio card.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, a method for testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device coupled with the acoustic system via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. The signal can include a pattern of pulses including Doppler pulses. At least one Doppler pulse from the pattern pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device. A response to the signal from the acoustic system can be provided by generating an echo pulse with the testing device based on the detected at least one Doppler pulse wherein the echo pulse is frequency shifted from the detected at least one Doppler pulse and mimics a response to the detected at least one Doppler pulse for a selected acoustic probe.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. At least one pulse from a pattern pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device by matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern for the acoustic system. For example, matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern can comprise determining whether the pulse pattern includes a first pulse type. If the pulse pattern includes the first pulse type, a determination can be made whether the pulse pattern further includes a second pulse type. If the pulse pattern further includes the second pulse type, a subsequent pulse of the second pulse type can be identified and detected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, a method for testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device coupled with the acoustic system via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. The signal can include a pattern of pulses. At least one pulse from the pattern of pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device. A response to the signal from the acoustic system can be provided by generating an echo pulse with the testing device based on the detected at least one pulse. The echo pulse can mimic a response to the detected at least one pulse for a selected acoustic probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A medical imaging device that uses electromagnetic or acoustic information to generate a patient image is remotely maintained. A set of operational characteristics for the device is maintained by a maintenance system disposed remotely from the device. Data from sensors disposed local to the device are received over a network at the maintenance system. A set of parameter measures is derived from the received data and analyzed in comparison with the set of operational characteristics to identify a predicted malfunction of a component of the device. The maintenance system is thus able to initiate a repair of the medical imaging device by generating an alert in response to identification of the predicted malfunction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a universal current leakage measurement device is disclosed. A universal current leakage testing adapter has the ability to couple with at least two differently sized or shaped probe connectors. The universal current leakage testing adapter is configured to couple with differently sized or shaped probe connectors by conductive planes either functioning independently or in concert to contact the pins of a probe connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the testing and reconfiguration of x-ray devices. In one embodiment, a test bed effectuates testing of an acquired x-ray device to determine a cause of the inoperability of the device. The x-ray device test bed may be provided to test a plurality of x-ray devices and, therefore, readily adaptable to such devices. The x-ray device test bed may include a mount for an x-ray tube. A variable power supply may be coupled to the x-ray tube to provide the requisite high-voltage electrical energy thereto. The x-ray device test bed may also include a mount for an imaging module (e.g., a “flat-panel sensor”). A processor may be coupled to the imaging module to determine the operational characteristics thereof. If certain x-ray components are deemed inoperable, the x-ray components may be replaced such that the x-ray device may be reintroduced to a medical industry segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the testing and reconfiguration of x-ray devices. In one embodiment, a test bed effectuates testing of an acquired x-ray device to determine a cause of the inoperability of the device. The x-ray device test bed may be provided to test a plurality of x-ray devices and, therefore, readily adaptable to such devices. The x-ray device test bed may include a mount for an x-ray tube. A variable power supply may be coupled to the x-ray tube to provide the requisite high-voltage electrical energy thereto. The x-ray device test bed may also include a mount for an imaging module (e.g., a “flat-panel sensor”). A processor may be coupled to the imaging module to determine the operational characteristics thereof. If certain x-ray components are deemed inoperable, the x-ray components may be replaced such that the x-ray device may be reintroduced to a medical industry segment.

Abstract: A hand-held testing device tests operation of acoustic elements of an acoustic device. The hand-held testing device has a housing, a power supply local to the housing, an acoustic transducer, and circuitry. The circuitry is disposed within the housing and is provided in electrical communication with the power supply and with the acoustic transducer. The circuitry is configured to identify production of a voltage pulse by the acoustic transducer in response to receipt of a received acoustic signal by the acoustic transducer from one of the acoustic elements and to operate the transducer to transmit a transmitted acoustic signal to the acoustic element.