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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.