Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters which convert received echo signals to digital echo signals, a plurality of digital delay circuits which produce a plurality of selectably delayed digital echo signals for a plurality of digital multiline echo signals, and a plurality of digital summers which combine the selectably delayed digital echo signals to produce a plurality of digital multiline echo signals in response to a single transmit event.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters which convert received echo signals to digital echo signals, a plurality of digital delay circuits which produce a plurality of selectably delayed digital echo signals for a plurality of digital multiline echo signals, and a plurality of digital summers which combine the selectably delayed digital echo signals to produce a plurality of digital multiline echo signals in response to a single transmit event.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises one or more analog ASICs containing transmitters and amplifiers coupled to transducer elements, and one or more digital ASICs containing analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry. The analog ASICs and the digital ASICs are manufactured by different integrated circuit 5 processes, with that of the analog ASIC optimized for high voltage analog operation and that of the digital ASICs optimized for high density, low voltage digital circuitry.

Abstract: A mobile ultrasound system will pair with a wireless ultrasound probe for exclusive communication between the two for an ultrasound exam when the wireless probe is brought to within a predetermined distance of the mobile ultrasound system. The ultrasound system determines that the wireless probe is within the predetermined distance from the strength of the signal received by the system from the wireless probe. Pairing can proceed automatically when a wireless probe is within the predetermined distance, or after a user actuates a control to initiate the pairing. The ultrasound system may display the identity of a probe within range on the display of the system for selection by the user so that the user will be confident that pairing will be done with the desired wireless probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters which convert received echo signals to digital echo signals, a plurality of digital delay circuits which produce a plurality of selectably delayed digital echo signals for a plurality of digital multiline echo signals, and a plurality of digital summers which combine the selectably delayed digital echo signals to produce a plurality of digital multiline echo signals in response to a single transmit event.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises one or more analog ASICs containing transmitters and amplifiers coupled to transducer elements, and one or more digital ASICs containing analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry. The analog ASICs and the digital ASICs are manufactured by different integrated circuit 5 processes, with that of the analog ASIC optimized for high voltage analog operation and that of the digital ASICs optimized for high density, low voltage digital circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound image acquisition device (46) for use together with a console device (16, 18) to form an ultrasound imaging system (10) and a corresponding method. The ultrasound image acquisition device (46) particularly comprises a recognition device for recognizing an operating mode of the ultrasound image acquisition device, wherein the recognition device is configured to recognize the operating mode depending on a type of the console device (16, 18) and/or an applicable communication standard of the interface (50). By this, a dual purpose image acquisition probe (14) may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound image acquisition device (46) for use together with a console device (16, 18) to form an ultrasound imaging system (10) and a corresponding method. The ultrasound image acquisition device (46) particularly comprises a recognition device for recognizing an operating mode of the ultrasound image acquisition device, wherein the recognition device is configured to recognize the operating mode depending on a type of the console device (16, 18) and/or an applicable communication standard of the interface (50). By this, a dual purpose image acquisition probe (14) may be provided.

Abstract: A mobile ultrasound system will pair with a wireless ultrasound probe for exclusive communication between the two for an ultrasound exam when the wireless probe is brought to within a predetermined distance of the mobile ultrasound system. The ultrasound system determines that the wireless probe is within the predetermined distance from the strength of the signal received by the system from the wireless probe. Pairing can proceed automatically when a wireless probe is within the predetermined distance, or after a user actuates a control to initiate the pairing. The ultrasound system may display the identity of a probe within range on the display of the system for selection by the user so that the user will be confident that pairing will be done with the desired wireless probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound image acquisition device (46) for use together with a console device (16, 18) to form an ultrasound imaging system (10) and a corresponding method. The ultrasound image acquisition device (46) particularly comprises a recognition device for recognizing an operating mode of the ultrasound image acquisition device, wherein the recognition device is configured to recognize the operating mode depending on a type of the console device (16, 18) and/or an applicable communication standard of the interface (50). By this, a dual purpose image acquisition probe (14) may be provided.

Abstract: A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, an acquisition circuit, a transceiver and a battery. The probe also includes a loudspeaker which produces audible sounds as a function of the range between the wireless probe and a host system. When the probe is within a near field range of the host system, the loudspeaker is silent. But if the probe is moved to an intermediate or a far field range from the host system, the loudspeaker sounds an alert. This audible alert can be used to locate the probe by transmitting a paging signal which, upon reception by the probe, causes the probe to sound its alert. If the probe is moved to an unauthorized location where it is within range of a transmitter or receiver, the reception of a signal by the probe, the transmitter, or receiver will sound an alert signaling the unauthorized presence of the wireless probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound assembly comprises a module having an input side and an output side; an ultrasound transducer comprising a micro-beamformer configured for attachment to and detachment from the input side of the module; and a display attached to the output side of the module. An ultrasound system is also described.

Abstract: A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, an acquisition circuit, a transceiver and a battery. The probe also includes a loudspeaker which produces audible sounds as a function of the range between the wireless probe and a host system. When the probe is within a near field range of the host system, the loudspeaker is silent. But if the probe is moved to an intermediate or a far field range from the host system, the loudspeaker sounds an alert. This audible alert can be used to locate the probe by transmitting a paging signal which, upon reception by the probe, causes the probe to sound its alert. If the probe is moved to an unauthorized location where it is within range of a transmitter or receiver, the reception of a signal by the probe, the transmitter, or receiver will sound an alert signaling the unauthorized presence of the wireless probe.

Abstract: A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array stack, a microbeamformer coupled to the transducer array, an acquisition module, an ultra wideband transceiver, a power circuit, and a rechargeable battery with a total weight of 300 grams or less. Preferably the total weight of these components does not exceed 150 grams, and most preferably the total weight of these components does not exceed 130 grams. The transceiver wirelessly transmits echo information signals to an ultrasound system host where the signals may undergo additional ultrasound signal processing such as further beamforming, image processing and display. The battery is preferably a rechargeable battery and the antenna for the transceiver is located at the end of the probe opposite the transducer stack.

Abstract: A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, an acquisition circuit, a transceiver, a power circuit, and a rechargeable battery. The wireless probe also has a cable connector accessible from the exterior of the probe, for connection of a cable providing battery charging potential and/or imaging signal conductors for wire communication with a host system. An example is given of a magnetically attachable cable which requires no openings or indentations that could trap gel and other contaminants. Preferably the remote end of the cable uses a standardized connector, enabling the wireless probe to be recharged from standard devices like computers.

Abstract: A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, an acquisition circuit, a transceiver and a battery. The probe also includes a loudspeaker which produces audible sounds during use of the probe. The loudspeaker, which may be a piezoelectric loudspeaker, issues an alert when battery power is low or signal strength of the wireless transmission is poor or nonexistent. The loudspeaker can provide user feedback to the actuation of a button or control on the probe. The loudspeaker can provide haptic feedback during use of the probe, and can be used to produce audio Doppler tones or heart sounds during probe use.

Abstract: A user control of a medical imaging system is normally operated by the user to control a function of the system such as the position of one image plane relative to another. There are a number of modes in which the relative plane position can be varied, such as varying the relative elevation position or the relative lateral position of the planes. To switch from one mode to the other the user moves the user control rapidly to effect a change of the mode of operation being controlled. A processor senses the high speed motion of the user control and changes the mode being controlled by the user control to a new mode. The user control may comprise a trackball, rotary knob, linear slider, touchpad, or other control panel user control.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described in which two planes of a volumetric region which are in different elevation planes are scanned in real time. In one embodiment the two planes are scanned with less than the maximum number of scanlines which the transducer can transmit in a single plane. A user control enables the two planes to be moved laterally without moving the transducer probe. In another embodiment each image plane contains a color box depicting flow or motion in the same respective position in the image. The color boxes of the two images can be sized and positioned in tandem so that both are in the same corresponding area of the two images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to contrast imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for ultrasound contrast imaging in which a high-MI signal destroys contrast agent in a blood supply region of the heart after previously infused thoroughly with contrast agent enhanced blood, and a portion of the heart other than the blood supply region is imaged with low MI ultrasound to track the decrease in contrast agent containing blood due to perfusion into the “other then the blood supply region” by blood from the blood supply region, as a function of time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe having a selector switch and a housing is provided. The ultrasonic probe further includes an ultrasonic transducer assembly and associated circuitry. A beamformer may be included in the ultrasonic probe. The selector switch has at least two user-selectable positions or states. The selector switch and the associated circuitry control an output acoustic beam of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus in accordance with the user-selectable position or state.