Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for conducting heat from an ultrasound transducer and reducing drop impact forces are disclosed. A thermal management system including a thermally conductive compliant component in an ultrasound probe is disclosed. The thermal management system may include thermally conductive compliant component coupled to a transducer assembly. A printed circuit assembly (PCA) may be coupled to the compliant component. The thermally compliant component may conduct heat from the transducer assembly to the PCA. The PCA may be further coupled to a cable that may conduct heat from the PCA and away from the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging systems are provided. An ultrasound system according to some embodiments includes a console configured to selectively communicate with a first ultrasound imaging device and a second ultrasound imaging device. The console includes a housing, a computing device disposed within the housing, and a connector receptacle assembly coupled to the housing. The connector receptacle assembly includes a first connector bank including a first plurality of electrical connections; and a second connector bank including a second plurality of electrical connections. The connector receptacle assembly is selectively matable to a first connector of the first ultrasound imaging device via only the first connector bank and to a second connector of the second ultrasound imaging device via the first and second connector banks.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe including an active thermal management system is disclosed. The active thermal management system may include a fluid chamber coupled to a transducer assembly of the ultrasound probe. The fluid chamber may include a coolant that may dissipate heat from the transducer assembly. The active thermal management system may further include a heat sink coupled to the fluid chamber and thermal management system. The heat sink may include fins that extend into the coolant. The coolant may be a liquid or a gas. The coolant may be circulated within the fluid chamber by a circulation device. The circulation device may be a pump, a fan, or an impeller. An ultrasound probe may further include a window that forms an enclosure over the lens of the transducer assembly. The enclosure may be fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber and filled with coolant to dissipate heat from the lens.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for conducting heat from an ultrasound transducer and reducing drop impact forces are disclosed. A thermal management system including a thermally conductive compliant component in an ultrasound probe is disclosed. The thermal management system may include thermally conductive compliant component coupled to a transducer assembly. A printed circuit assembly (PCA) may be coupled to the compliant component. The thermally compliant component may conduct heat from the transducer assembly to the PCA. The PCA may be further coupled to a cable that may conduct heat from the PCA and away from the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging systems are provided. An ultrasound system according to some embodiments includes a console configured to selectively communicate with a first ultrasound imaging device and a second ultrasound imaging device. The console includes a housing, a computing device disposed within the housing, and a connector receptacle assembly coupled to the housing. The connector receptacle assembly includes a first connector bank including a first plurality of electrical connections; and a second connector bank including a second plurality of electrical connections. The connector receptacle assembly is selectively matable to a first connector of the first ultrasound imaging device via only the first connector bank and to a second connector of the second ultrasound imaging device via the first and second connector banks.

Abstract: A single element ultrasound transducer is fabricated from a laminate plate which produces multiple transducer elements simultaneously. The laminate plate includes the piezo ceramic, matching layer, and backing layer with rear electrode. The laminate plate is diced while mounted on nitto tape to retain the individual elements in position after dicing. The sides of the elements are covered with an insulating coating, which permits the transducer elements to be surface mounted on flex circuit by bonding the rear electrode to a signal conductor of the flex circuit and the matching layer to a return conductor by metallically coating the mounted transducer element and return conductor on the flex circuit.

Abstract: A curved high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer comprising a curved piezoelectric array having opposite convex and concave surfaces, the concave surface being a transmitting surface, and a plurality of acoustic transmission areas, a plurality of electrodes located on the surfaces of the curved piezoelectric array for applying electrical transmit signals to the acoustic transmission areas, and a unitary, continuously formed curved matching layer pre-formed to the desired curvature of the curved transducer array and bonded to the transmitting surface of the curved piezoelectric array which provides acoustic matching and electrical isolation for the transmitting surface of the curved piezoelectric array.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe including an active thermal management system is disclosed. The active thermal management system may include a fluid chamber coupled to a transducer assembly of the ultrasound probe. The fluid chamber may include a coolant that may dissipate heat from the transducer assembly. The active thermal management system may further include a heat sink coupled to the fluid chamber and thermal management system. The heat sink may include fins that extend into the coolant. The coolant may be a liquid or a gas. The coolant may be circulated within the fluid chamber by a circulation device. The circulation device may be a pump, a fan, or an impeller. An ultrasound probe may further include a window that forms an enclosure over the lens of the transducer assembly. The enclosure may be fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber and filled with coolant to dissipate heat from the lens.

Abstract: A golf tee is disclosed that provides stability and promotes less spin on a struck golf ball. The tee may be beneficial for use on mats at a driving range. The golf ball may be elevated from the ground surface to help avoid the club head from contacting the ground thereby avoiding injury to the golfer and damage to the club.

Abstract: An ultrasonic HIFU transducer (120) has a threaded opening into which a modular cavitation sensor (90) is removably located. The modular cavitation sensor includes a modular housing (92) containing a piezoelectric transducer for sensing acoustic signals indicative of cavitation. The modular cavitation sensor has electrodes (96,98) which engage spring contacts (112,114) in the threaded opening when the modular housing is screwed into the threaded opening. A damaged sensor can be unscrewed and replaced simply without connectors or soldering.

Abstract: A single element ultrasound transducer is fabricated from a laminate plate which produces multiple transducer elements simultaneously. The laminate plate includes the piezo ceramic, matching layer, and backing layer with rear electrode. The laminate plate is diced while mounted on nitto tape to retain the individual elements in position after dicing. The sides of the elements are covered with an insulating coating, which permits the transducer elements to be surface mounted on flex circuit by bonding the rear electrode to a signal conductor of the flex circuit and the matching layer to a return conductor by metallically coating the mounted transducer element and return conductor on the flex circuit.

Abstract: A golf tee is disclosed that provides stability and promotes less spin on a struck golf ball. The tee may be beneficial for use on mats at a driving range. The golf ball may be elevated from the ground surface to help avoid the club head from contacting the ground thereby avoiding injury to the golfer and damage to the club.

Abstract: A curved high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer comprising a plurality of curved composite ceramic piezoelectric tiles having opposite convex and concave surfaces, each tile having electrodes on the surfaces electrically coupled to the composite ceramic piezoelectric material, and a plurality of acoustic transmission areas located on each tile and actuated through electrodes on the convex surface, the transmission areas and electrodes being acoustically separated from surrounding areas by cuts into the composite ceramic piezoelectric material, the plurality of tiles fitting together to form a substantially continuous curved composite piezoelectric surface which transmits HIFU acoustic energy.

Abstract: A curved high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer comprising a curved piezoelectric array having opposite concave front and convex back surfaces, and a plurality of acoustic transmission areas, a plurality of electrodes located on the convex back surface of the curved piezoelectric array for applying electrical transmit signals to the acoustic transmission areas, and a printed circuit board spaced apart from and in opposition to the back surface of the curved piezoelectric array which couples electrical signals to the acoustic transmission areas, the printed circuit board comprising a plurality of metal contacts which are compliant in the presence of thermal expansion and contraction and which span the space between the printed circuit board and the curved piezoelectric array and are electrically coupled to electrodes of the acoustic transmission areas of the curved piezoelectric array.

Abstract: A curved high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer comprising a curved piezoelectric array having opposite convex and concave back surfaces, the front surface comprising an acoustic transmitting surface, and a plurality of electrodes located on the convex back surface for applying electrical transmit signals to the array, and a printed circuit board spaced apart from and in opposition to the back surface of the curved piezoelectric array which couples electrical signals to the electrodes of the array, the space between the printed circuit board and the curved piezoelectric array comprising an acoustic air backing passageway of the piezoelectric array for air-cooling the curved piezoelectric array and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Power-backup capabilities are provided by implementing a variety of different methods, systems and devices. According to one such implementation, a solid-state memory device is implemented with a primary power source that provides primary power. A secondary power source provides secondary power. A power controller provides the primary power to an operating power circuit. The secondary power is provided by enabling a secondary switch located between the secondary power source and the operating power circuit. A solid-state memory uses power from the operating power circuit as a primary source of power when accessing stored data and retains data in the absence of power being provided by the operating power circuit. A memory controller facilitates access to the stored data. In response to problems with the primary power source, pending writes are completed to the solid-state memory circuit. A timing circuit substantially delays full enablement of the secondary switch.

Abstract: An ultrasonic HIFU transducer (120) has a threaded opening into which a modular cavitation sensor (90) is removably located. The modular cavitation sensor includes a modular housing (92) containing a piezoelectric transducer for sensing acoustic signals indicative of cavitation. The modular cavitation sensor has electrodes (96,98) which engage spring contacts (112,114) in the threaded opening when the modular housing is screwed into the threaded opening. A damaged sensor can be unscrewed and replaced simply without connectors or soldering.

Abstract: A mobile communication device comprises receiver circuitry operable to receive broadcast real-time media data over a communication interface, and signal processing logic operable to extract real-time media content from the broadcast real-time media data, and output the extracted real-time media content via a user interface of the mobile communication device. In response to determining a partial loss of data for the broadcast real-time media data, the signal processing logic is operable to retrieve stored media content from a memory element of the mobile communication device, and output the retrieved media content via the user interface of the communication device.