Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system (10) and method are described for conduct of an ultrasonic image-guided invasive procedure. An ultrasound system having a touchscreen display (30) located at the distal end of an articulating display arm (32) is positioned on one side of a patient table (110). The clinician performing the procedure is located on the other side of the patient table. The touchscreen display is extended over the patient table by articulation of the articulating arm. The position of the touchscreen display is adjusted by the clinician for optimal viewing in front of the clinician and above the patient table.

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 method for visualizing data in an ultrasound probe system in which a display is arranged in a housing of an ultrasound probe in a position in which it is visible and the display is controlled to display data relating to a transducer of the probe and/or the probe. By providing a display on connection with the housing of the ultrasound probe, the user can view functional parameters of the transducer or transducer settings and probe settings while maintaining the transducer in a common field of view with the patient or object being examined.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system includes a flat panel display for viewing images produced by the ultrasound system. The flat panel display is mounted to the ultrasound system by an articulating arm assembly having a lower arm with a fixed elevation pivotally connected to the ultrasound system and an upper arm pivotally connected to the lower arm at one end and pivotally connected to the flat panel display at the other end. The upper arm includes a 4-bar linkage which enables the flat panel display to be raised and lowered, and a pneumatic piston which provides a counter-weight to the weight of the flat panel display.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system includes an articulating flat panel display for viewing images produced by the ultrasound system. The flat panel display is articulated to a desired viewing position by gripping the periphery of the display screen and moving the display screen to the desired viewing position with one hand. The bezel around the display screen is contoured and formed of a robber-like material which can be engaged with the thumb of a user's hand, and the back of the display enclosure opposing the bezel contains perforations which can be engaged with fingers of the user. The gripping perforations also provide ventilation of the flat panel display.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has a plurality of locations around the control panel at which a probe holder may be located. The probe holder may be mounted by the user on the left or right side of the control panel to accommodate left-handed or right-handed users. The illustrated embodiments show different mechanisms by which a probe holder may be movably mounted to the ultrasound system. In one embodiment a plurality of probe holders swing or slide out for use, and stow inside the system when not in use.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided in which the scanhead connectors are elevated and tilted upward. This is provided by a tilted card cage with a backplane mount for the scanhead connectors which extends above the top of the card cage. The elevated and tilted scanhead connectors provide a comfortable position and orientation for the system operator when inserting and removing probe connectors, and the elevated position keeps the probe cables well above the floor and entanglement with the wheels.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can be moved laterally from one side of the ultrasound system to the other, enabling an operator to more comfortably operate the ultrasound system while scanning a patient located to the side of the ultrasound system. The control panel locks in its central home position and can be moved linearly to either side of the home position. Detents serve to retain the control panel at different lateral locations. Preferably the control panel can swivel independently of its lateral articulation.

Abstract: A control panel for a diagnostic ultrasound system includes a keyboard with a wrist pad that stows beneath the control panel, and extends from the control panel when needed. The keyboard wrist pad integrates smoothly into the front of the control panel when the keyboard is in the stowed position. The keyboard wrist pad can also be integrated into the top surface of the edge of the control panel and can serve as a wrist pad for either the control panel or the keyboard when the keyboard is extended.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has a plurality of locations around the control panel at which a probe holder may be located. The probe holder may be mounted by the user on the left or right side of the control panel to accommodate left-handed or right-handed users. The illustrated embodiments show different mechanisms by which a probe holder may be movably mounted to the ultrasound system. In one embodiment a plurality of probe holders swing or slide out for use, and stow inside the system when not in use.

Abstract: A cart-borne ultrasound system is described which includes a portable cart holding the electronic circuitry of the ultrasound system, a control panel for controlling the ultrasound system, and a display. The control panel is supported by an articulating mechanism which enables the control panel to be raised and lowered to accommodate operators of different height, and enables the control panel to move toward and away from the user to accommodate users in the sitting or standing positions. In a preferred embodiment the articulating mechanism comprises a parallelogram-shaped linkage which also maintains a constant angle of inclination of the control panel as it is raised and lowered.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided in which the scanhead connectors are elevated and tilted upward. This is provided by a tilted card cage with a backplane mount for the scanhead connectors which extends above the top of the card cage. The elevated and tilted scanhead connectors provide a comfortable position and orientation for the system operator when inserting and removing probe connectors, and the elevated position keeps the probe cables well above the floor and entanglement with the wheels.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can be moved laterally from one side of the ultrasound system to the other, enabling an operator to more comfortably operate the ultrasound system while scanning a patient located to the side of the ultrasound system. The control panel locks in its central home position and can be moved linearly to either side of the home position. Detents serve to retain the control panel at different lateral locations. Preferably the control panel can swivel independently of its lateral articulation.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can swivel about the operator location. In one embodiment this capability is provided by pivoting the control panel about a pivot axis located forward of the center of the control panel, preferably within a few inches of the operator position. In another embodiment the control panel can be moved along a track which is curved about the operator position, and in a further embodiment the control panel is moved by a linkage which simultaneously moves the control panel from side to side and forward.

Abstract: A cart-borne ultrasound system is described which includes a portable cart holding the electronic circuitry of the ultrasound system, a control panel for controlling the ultrasound system, and a display. The control panel is supported by an articulating mechanism which enables the control panel to be raised and lowered to accommodate operators of different height, and enables the control panel to move toward and away from the user to accommodate users in the sitting or standing positions. In a preferred embodiment the articulating mechanism comprises a parallelogram-shaped linkage which also maintains a constant angle of inclination of the control panel as it is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A control panel for a diagnostic ultrasound system includes a keyboard with a wrist pad that stows beneath the control panel, and extends from the control panel when needed. The keyboard wrist pad integrates smoothly into the front of the control panel when the keyboard is in the stowed position. The keyboard wrist pad can also be integrated into the top surface of the edge of the control panel and can serve as a wrist pad for either the control panel or the keyboard when the keyboard is extended.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can swivel about the operator location. In one embodiment this capability is provided by pivoting the control panel about a pivot axis located forward of the center of the control panel, preferably within a few inches of the operator position. In another embodiment the control panel can be moved along a track which is curved about the operator position, and in a further embodiment the control panel is moved by a linkage which simultaneously moves the control panel from side to side and forward.

Abstract: A cart-borne ultrasound system has a control panel at the front of the cart for operating the ultrasound system and a handle at the front of the cart by which a user can push or pull the cart to a different location. The handle has an opening through which a probe cable can be slipped to hang the cable over the handle during transport, storage, or use. The handle also serves to raise and lower the system control panel. The handle can also be articulated to move it out of the way of a user in front of the control panel.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the pressure within a surgical tourniquet so as selectively to occlude blood flow within a portion of a limb of a patient, wherein the pressure within an inflatable cuff surrounding a portion of a limb of a patient is changed by automatically opening a first valve connected to a controller and located within a first conduit between an inflatable bladder and the inflatable cuff, when the pressure in the inflatable cuff is different from that in the inflatable bladder. In another aspect, a system and method of controlling the pressure within a surgical tourniquet so as selectively to occlude blood flow within a portion of a limb of a patient within five seconds. In another aspect, a system and method of detecting a leak in a surgical tourniquet. In another aspect, a surgical tourniquet that, from an inflated state, may enter a deflated state, a set state, a default display state, or an off state.