Abstract: Embodiments of ultrasound utility station and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes displaying a status of the ultrasound machine that indicates a location of the ultrasound machine and an amount of charge of a battery of the ultrasound machine, and displaying an additional status that indicates an additional location of the ultrasound utility station and one or more available ultrasound probes on the ultrasound utility station. After receiving a selection of an ultrasound probe of the available ultrasound probes and a user input that determines a schedule for said configuring the ultrasound machine, the method instructs the ultrasound utility station to charge the battery of the ultrasound machine and provide the ultrasound probe for transfer to the ultrasound machine.

Abstract: A method for loading a predetermined amount of particulate material into a container comprising providing a hopper containing a supply of the particulate material and a movable plate at least partly below the hopper, with the plate having a series of openings extending therethrough. The particulate material in the hopper is allowed to flow into and fill at least some of the openings in the plate, and the density of the particulate material in the openings is controlled. The plate is moved to move the filled openings to a filling station, and the particulate material from the openings is transferred to a container at the filling station. A plurality of the filled openings is used to deliver particulate material to each container so that any differences in the quantity of particulate material in the filled openings tends to be averaged.