Abstract: Ultrasound systems comprise an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data and a cooling unit configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging apparatus, wherein the cooling unit may be cordless and comprise an active cooling element for removing heat from the ultrasound imaging apparatus and an identity interface and the ultrasound imaging apparatus may comprise a sensor to determine when the cooling unit is attached such that the ultrasound imaging apparatus may use the identity interface to determine whether or not the cooling unit is compatible.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprising a body comprising an imaging end and a non-imaging end, a first array comprising a first plurality of transducer elements disposed on the imaging end for forming a first beam type from a first transmit surface, a second array comprising a second plurality of transducer elements disposed on the imaging end, for forming a second beam type from a second transmit surface, wherein each the first array and the second array are longitudinally adjacent to each other and the first transmit surface and second transmit surface are separate, a circuit connected to the first plurality of transducer elements and the second plurality of transducer elements, wherein the circuit is capable of activating a number of elements equal to a total of the first plurality of transducer elements and the second plurality of transducer elements and wherein such activation is mutually exclusive.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data and an add-on vibration inducing device operable to generate shear waves. The add-on vibration inducing device is connected cordlessly to the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The add-on vibration inducing device can be powered and controlled by the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The add-on vibration inducing device includes a connector to scanner which connects cordlessly to a power connector on the ultrasound imaging apparatus for transmitting the power and the control signals from the ultrasound imaging apparatus to the add-on vibration inducing device. The ultrasound imaging apparatus can be used separately from the add-on vibration inducing device for ultrasound imaging procedures and the add-on vibration inducing device can be easily mounted on the ultrasound imaging apparatus when the user wishes to perform an elastography diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data and comprising a power accepting interface; and a dual function charging and cooling unit configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging apparatus; wherein the dual function charging and cooling unit comprises i) a power conveying element to convey power to the ultrasound imaging apparatus and ii) an active cooling element for removing heat from the ultrasound imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data and comprising a power accepting interface; and a dual function charging and cooling unit configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging apparatus; wherein the dual function charging and cooling unit comprises i) a power conveying element to convey power to the ultrasound imaging apparatus and ii) an active cooling element for removing heat from the ultrasound imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data and comprising a power accepting interface; and a dual function charging and cooling unit configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging apparatus; wherein the dual function charging and cooling unit comprises i) a power conveying element to convey power to the ultrasound imaging apparatus and ii) an active cooling element for removing heat from the ultrasound imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Cooling units for an ultrasound imaging apparatus, and related ultrasound systems are described. The ultrasound imaging systems may include an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data; and a cooling unit configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The cooling unit may be cordless and include an active cooling element for removing heat from the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The ultrasound imaging apparatus may have a sensor to determine when the cooling unit is attached. The cooling unit may have an identity interface, and the ultrasound imaging apparatus may use the identity interface to determine whether the cooling unit is compatible.

Abstract: Cooling units for an ultrasound imaging apparatus, and related ultrasound systems are described. The ultrasound imaging systems may include an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data; and a cooling unit configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The cooling unit may be cordless and include an active cooling element for removing heat from the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The ultrasound imaging apparatus may have a sensor to determine when the cooling unit is attached. The cooling unit may have an identity interface, and the ultrasound imaging apparatus may use the identity interface to determine whether the cooling unit is compatible.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound apparatus with improved heat dissipation and methods for providing same. The ultrasound apparatus may have a housing that encloses a transducer array and at least one integrated circuit (IC) for driving the transducer array during operation. The housing may have an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the housing can be made substantially of metal. A post is disposed between the at least one IC and the interior surface of the housing. The post can be coupled directly to the interior surface of the housing so that heat generated from the at least one IC is transferred via the post to the housing and dissipated via the exterior surface.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data and an add-on vibration inducing device operable to generate shear waves. The add-on vibration inducing device is connected cordlessly to the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The add-on vibration inducing device can be powered and controlled by the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The add-on vibration inducing device includes a connector to scanner which connects cordlessly to a power connector on the ultrasound imaging apparatus for transmitting the power and the control signals from the ultrasound imaging apparatus to the add-on vibration inducing device. The ultrasound imaging apparatus can be used separately from the add-on vibration inducing device for ultrasound imaging procedures and the add-on vibration inducing device can be easily mounted on the ultrasound imaging apparatus when the user wishes to perform an elastography diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound apparatus with improved heat dissipation and methods for providing same. The ultrasound apparatus may have a housing that encloses a transducer array and at least one integrated circuit (IC) for driving the transducer array during operation. The housing may have an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the housing can be made substantially of metal. A post is disposed between the at least one IC and the interior surface of the housing. The post can be coupled directly to the interior surface of the housing so that heat generated from the at least one IC is transferred via the post to the housing and dissipated via the exterior surface.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to cooling units for an ultrasound imaging apparatus, and related ultrasound systems. The ultrasound imaging systems may include an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data; and a cooling unit configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The cooling unit may be cordless and include an active cooling element for removing heat from the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The ultrasound imaging apparatus may have a sensor to determine when the cooling unit is attached. The cooling unit may have an identity interface, and the ultrasound imaging apparatus may use the identity interface to determine whether the cooling unit is compatible.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging systems. The ultrasound imaging systems may include an ultrasound imaging transducer operable to acquire ultrasound image data and a transducer adapter configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging transducer. The transducer adapter may provide a different footprint from the ultrasound imaging transducer native footprint to enable the ultrasound imaging transducer adapter to acquire ultrasound image data in a substantially similar way to ultrasound transducers with different transducer geometry. The ultrasound imaging transducer may include a sensor for detecting an attachment state of the transducer adapter. The ultrasound imaging transducer may modify one or more imaging parameters when the transducer is attached to the ultrasound imaging transducer.