A graphical user interface displayed by a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device may include a preset filter option that provides an easy way to switch between different presets which belong to a preset family. The user uses the preset filter feature to cycle through the different presets in the family while remaining on the same screen that is showing ultrasound images collected in real time. The imaging depth remains the same while the user is using the preset filter feature to select the preset within a family Other settings such as time-gain compensation may not remain the same when cycling between presets. The preset filter feature allows a user to continuously view and assess the ultrasound images being collected in real time while cycling through the presets in the family.
An ultrasound-on-a-chip device has an ultrasonic transducer substrate with plurality of transducer cells, and an electrical substrate. For each transducer cell, one or more conductive bond connections are disposed between the ultrasonic transducer substrate and the electrical substrate. Examples of electrical substrates include CMOS chips, integrated circuits including analog circuits, interposers and printed circuit boards.
H10N 30/05 - Fabrication de dispositifs piézo-électriques ou électrostrictifs multicouches ou de leurs parties constitutives, p.ex. en empilant des corps piézo-électriques et des électrodes
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B06B 1/06 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique fonctionnant par effet piézo-électrique ou par électrostriction
H05K 3/36 - Assemblage de circuits imprimés avec d'autres circuits imprimés
H10N 30/87 - Dispositifs piézo-électriques ou électrostrictifs - Détails de structure Électrodes ou interconnexions, p.ex. connexions électriques ou bornes
3.
TRANS-IMPEDANCE AMPLIFIER FOR ULTRASOUND DEVICE AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS
A variable current trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) for an ultrasound device is described. The TIA may be coupled to an ultrasonic transducer to amplify an output signal of the ultrasonic transducer representing an ultrasound signal received by the ultrasonic transducer. During acquisition of the ultrasound signal by the ultrasonic transducer, one or more current sources in the TIA may be varied.
H03F 3/16 - Amplificateurs comportant comme éléments d'amplification uniquement des tubes à décharge ou uniquement des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs comportant uniquement des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs avec dispositifs à effet de champ
A61B 5/00 - Mesure servant à établir un diagnostic ; Identification des individus
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
H03F 1/08 - Modifications des amplificateurs pour réduire l'influence défavorable de l'impédance interne des éléments amplificateurs
CMOS Ultrasonic Transducers and processes for making such devices are described. The processes may include forming cavities on a first wafer and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer. The second wafer may be processed to form a membrane for the cavities. Electrical access to the cavities may be provided.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
G10K 9/12 - Dispositifs dans lesquels le son est produit par la vibration d'un diaphragme ou un élément analogue, p.ex. cornes de brume, avertisseurs de véhicule ou vibreurs fonctionnant électriquement
G10K 11/18 - Procédés ou dispositifs pour transmettre, conduire ou diriger le son
5.
ANTI-STICTION BOTTOM CAVITY SURFACE FOR MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICES
An ultrasound transducer device made by a process that includes the steps of forming depositing a first layer on a substrate, depositing a second layer on the first layer, patterning the second layer at a region corresponding to a location of a transducer cavity, depositing a third layer that refills regions created by patterning the second layer, planarizing the third layer to a top surface of the second layer, removing the second layer, conformally depositing a fourth layer over the first layer and the third layer, defining the transducer cavity in a support layer formed over the fourth layer; and bonding a membrane to the support layer.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
6.
ERGONOMIC ATTACHMENTS FOR A HANDHELD ULTRASOUND PROBE
Ergonomic attachments for a handheld ultrasound probe are described herein. An attachment assembly includes a plate-shaped member that includes a passage configured to accommodate the handheld ultrasound probe such that when the plate-shaped member is inserted in the attachment assembly, a portion of a transducer head of the handheld ultrasound probe protrudes from the plate-shaped member. Another attachment assembly includes a shell that attaches to the handheld ultrasound probe and partially covers the handheld ultrasound probe, and strap anchors that are each connected to the shell and are disposed at opposite ends of the shell. Another attachment includes a curved bar that is continuous between a proximal attachment flange, of the curved bar, that attaches to a first location of the handheld ultrasound probe and a distal attachment flange, of the curved bar, that attaches to a second location of the handheld ultrasound probe.
Aspects of the technology described herein related to controlling, using control circuitry, modulation circuitry to modulate and delay first ultrasound data generated by first ultrasound transducers positioned at a first azimuthal position of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound device and second ultrasound data generated by second ultrasound transducers positioned at a second azimuthal position of the ultrasound transducer array of the ultrasound device, such that the first ultrasound data is delayed by a first delay amount and the second ultrasound data is delayed by a second delay amount that is different from the first delay amount. The first and second ultrasound data received from the modulation circuitry may be filtered and summed. The ultrasound transducer array, the control circuitry, the modulation circuitry, the filtering circuitry, and the summing circuitry may be integrated onto a semiconductor chip or one or more semiconductor chips packaged together.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
8.
QUALITY INDICATORS FOR COLLECTION OF AND AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT ON ULTRASOUND IMAGES
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for calculating, during imaging, a quality of a sequence of images collected during the imaging. Calculating the quality of the sequence of images may include calculating a probability that a medical professional would use a given image for clinical evaluation and a confidence that an automated analysis segmentation performed on the given image is correct. Techniques described herein also include receiving a trigger to perform an automatic measurement on a sequence of images, calculating a quality of the sequence of images, determining whether the quality of the sequence of images exceeds a threshold quality, and performing the automatic measurement on the sequence of images based on determining that the quality of the sequence of images exceeds the threshold quality.
An ultrasound device includes: ultrasonic transducer cavities; a membrane comprising a silicon layer that seals the ultrasonic transducer cavities; electrode regions configured to control vibration of the membrane; and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) substrate including integrated circuitry that is electrically coupled to the electrode regions. The ultrasonic transducer cavities are disposed between the membrane and the integrated circuitry along a vertical direction of the ultrasound device.
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
An ultrasound transducer device includes an electrode, a membrane separated from the electrode by a cavity between the membrane and the electrode, a patterned membrane support layer that defines a size and shape of the cavity and that is disposed between the electrode and the membrane, and vias that electrically connect the electrode to a substrate. The vias are disposed in the ultrasound transducer device such that less than 50% of the vias overlap with a support surface of the patterned membrane support layer, in a plan view.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
11.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WIRED AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION USING ULTRASOUND DEVICES
An ultrasound system may include an ultrasound device that includes a first wired communication module and a first wireless communication module. The ultrasound system may further include a processing device that includes a second wired communication module and a second wireless communication module. The processing device may pair with the ultrasound device over a wireless connection using the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module. The processing device may further indicate a wireless connection on a display screen of the processing device. The processing device may further conduct an ultrasound imaging session over the wireless connection. The processing device may further determine that a cable has been connected between the ultrasound device and the processing device. The processing device may further terminate the wireless connection with the ultrasound device. The processing device may further indicate a wired connection on the display screen of the processing device.
G16H 40/67 - TIC spécialement adaptées à la gestion ou à l’administration de ressources ou d’établissements de santé; TIC spécialement adaptées à la gestion ou au fonctionnement d’équipement ou de dispositifs médicaux pour le fonctionnement d’équipement ou de dispositifs médicaux pour le fonctionnement à distance
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
12.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ULTRASOUND OPERATIONS USING MACHINE LEARNING AND/OR NON-GUI INTERACTIONS
An ultrasound system may be used for performing an ultrasound imaging exam. The ultrasound system may include an ultrasound imaging device. The ultrasound system may further include a processing device in operative communication with the ultrasound imaging device. The ultrasound system may automatically capture or receive a voice command to capture a clinically relevant ultrasound image.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G16H 10/60 - TIC spécialement adaptées au maniement ou au traitement des données médicales ou de soins de santé relatives aux patients pour des données spécifiques de patients, p.ex. pour des dossiers électroniques de patients
G10L 15/22 - Procédures utilisées pendant le processus de reconnaissance de la parole, p.ex. dialogue homme-machine
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
13.
Methods and apparatus for performing measurements on an ultrasound image
Aspects of the technology described herein include a processing device configured to display, on a touch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device, an ultrasound image, a movable measurement tool, and an icon that maintains a fixed distance from a portion of the measurement tool. The icon may be configured to modify the measurement tool, and the icon may not overlap the measurement tool.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to receiving an ultrasound image, automatically determining a location of a specific point on an anatomical structure depicted in the ultrasound image, and displaying an indicator of the location of the specific point on the anatomical structure on the ultrasound image. In some embodiments, the anatomical structure is a bladder. In some embodiments, the specific point is the centroid. In some embodiments, a statistical model determines the specific point. The indicator may be, for example, a symbol located at the specific point, a horizontal line extending through the specific point from one edge of the anatomical structure to another, and/or a vertical line extending through the specific point from one edge of the anatomical structure to another.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to operator processing devices and instructor processing device for tele-medicine. The instructor processing device may be configured to receive, from an instruction interface, a selection of an instruction for moving an ultrasound device. The operator processing device may be configured to determine a pose of the ultrasound device relative to the operator processing device. The instructor processing device and the operator processing device may be configured to display in an operator video, based on the pose of the ultrasound device relative to the operator processing device and based on the selected instruction, a directional indicator for moving the ultrasound device. The instructor processing device may also be configured to display, based on the pose of the ultrasound device relative to the operator processing device, orientation indicators in the instruction interface and/or the operator video.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G06T 19/00 - Transformation de modèles ou d'images tridimensionnels [3D] pour infographie
G16H 40/67 - TIC spécialement adaptées à la gestion ou à l’administration de ressources ou d’établissements de santé; TIC spécialement adaptées à la gestion ou au fonctionnement d’équipement ou de dispositifs médicaux pour le fonctionnement d’équipement ou de dispositifs médicaux pour le fonctionnement à distance
G06T 19/20 - Transformation de modèles ou d'images tridimensionnels [3D] pour infographie Édition d'images tridimensionnelles [3D], p.ex. modification de formes ou de couleurs, alignement d'objets ou positionnements de parties
16.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF LUNGS
An apparatus includes a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device. The processing device is configured to: receive a user selection of a lung imaging preset option and a user-selected imaging depth for the ultrasound device; define a threshold imaging depth based on a shallow lung imaging mode and a deep lung imaging mode (the threshold imaging depth is between approximately 4 cm and 8 cm); after receiving the user selection of the user-selected imaging depth, compare the user-selected imaging depth with the threshold imaging depth; and automatically configure the ultrasound device to switch between the shallow lung imaging mode and deep lung imaging mode, depending upon a result of the comparison of the user-selected imaging depth with the threshold imaging depth.
A processing device is coupled to a single ultrasound device having a single array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUTs). The processing device generates a graphical user interface (GUI) having user selectable GUI menu options corresponding to respective ultrasound operating modes for the single ultrasound device having the single ultrasound transducer array. The user-selectable GUI menu options include GUI menu options labeled as representing an ultrasound operating mode for musculoskeletal imaging, breast imaging, carotid imaging, vascular imaging, and abdominal imaging, respectively. The processing device further receives, via the GUI, user input indicating selection of one of the ultrasound operating modes, and in response to receiving the user input, provides an indication to the single ultrasound device having the single array of CMUTs to operate in the selected ultrasound operating mode.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
A61B 8/12 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores dans des cavités ou des conduits du corps, p.ex. en utilisant des cathéters
B06B 1/06 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique fonctionnant par effet piézo-électrique ou par électrostriction
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to apparatuses and methods for performing elevational beamforming of ultrasound data. Elevational beamforming may be implemented by different types of control circuitry. Certain control circuitry may be configured to control memory such that ultrasound data from different elevational channels is summed with stored ultrasound data in the memory that was collected at different times. Certain control circuitry may be configured to control a decimator to decimate ultrasound data from different elevational channels with different phases. Certain control circuitry may be configured to control direct digital synthesis circuitry to add a different phase offset to complex signals generated by the DDS circuitry for multiplying with ultrasound data from different elevational channels.
An ultrasound transducer device includes: a first insulating layer formed on a first integrated circuit substrate; a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer; a third insulating layer formed on the second insulating layer, and a second substrate bonded to the first integrated circuit. A first cavity is formed in the third insulating layer. The second substrate is bonded to the first integrated circuit such that the first cavity is sealed.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
20.
Anti-stiction bottom cavity surface for micromachined ultrasonic transducer devices
A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device involves depositing a first layer on a substrate, depositing a second layer on the first layer, patterning the second layer at a region corresponding to a location of a transducer cavity, depositing a third layer that refills regions created by patterning the second layer, planarizing the third layer to a top surface of the second layer, removing the second layer, conformally depositing a fourth layer over the first layer and the third layer, defining the transducer cavity in a support layer formed over the fourth layer; and bonding a membrane to the support layer.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
21.
System and method for graphical user interface with filter for ultrasound image presets
A graphical user interface displayed by a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device may include a preset filter option that provides an easy way to switch between different presets which belong to a preset family. The user uses the preset filter feature to cycle through the different presets in the family while remaining on the same screen that is showing ultrasound images collected in real time. The imaging depth remains the same while the user is using the preset filter feature to select the preset within a family. Other settings such as time-gain compensation may not remain the same when cycling between presets. The preset filter feature allows a user to continuously view and assess the ultrasound images being collected in real time while cycling through the presets in the family.
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for automatically updating scan patterns used during ultrasound imaging. A handheld ultrasound system may include an ultrasound device with a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers, and a smartphone or tablet that configures the ultrasound device to obtain a first ultrasound image frame using a scan pattern defining an acoustic beam. The system then updates the scan pattern to optimize a view of the desired anatomy. When the system is operating in cardiac imaging mode, the scan pattern may be updated by adjusting the azimuthal tilt and/or the elevational tilt of the acoustic beam. When the system is operating in lung imaging mode, the scan pattern may be updated by adjusting the elevational tilt and/or the translation of the aperture of the array of ultrasound transducers. The system then configures the ultrasound device to obtain a second ultrasound image frame using the updated scan pattern.
An ultrasonic transducer device includes a patterned film stack disposed on first regions of a substrate, the patterned film stack including a metal electrode layer and a bottom cavity layer formed on the metal electrode layer. The ultrasonic transducer device further includes a planarized insulation layer disposed on second regions of the substrate layer, a cavity formed in a membrane support layer and a CMP stop layer, the CMP stop layer including a top layer of the patterned film stack and the membrane support layer formed over the patterned film stack and the planarized insulation layer. The ultrasonic transducer device also includes a membrane bonded to the membrane support layer. The CMP stop layer underlies portions of the membrane support layer but not the cavity.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
24.
Automated image analysis for diagnosing a medical condition
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for guiding an operator to use an ultrasound device. Thereby, operators with little or no experience operating ultrasound devices may capture medically relevant ultrasound images and/or interpret the contents of the obtained ultrasound images. For example, some of the techniques disclosed herein may be used to identify a particular anatomical view of a subject to image with an ultrasound device, guide an operator of the ultrasound device to capture an ultrasound image of the subject that contains the particular anatomical view, and/or analyze the captured ultrasound image to identify medical information about the subject.
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
G06F 18/2413 - Techniques de classification relatives au modèle de classification, p.ex. approches paramétriques ou non paramétriques basées sur les distances des motifs d'entraînement ou de référence
G06T 7/70 - Détermination de la position ou de l'orientation des objets ou des caméras
G06T 11/60 - Edition de figures et de texte; Combinaison de figures ou de texte
G06T 19/00 - Transformation de modèles ou d'images tridimensionnels [3D] pour infographie
G06V 10/44 - Extraction de caractéristiques locales par analyse des parties du motif, p.ex. par détection d’arêtes, de contours, de boucles, d’angles, de barres ou d’intersections; Analyse de connectivité, p.ex. de composantes connectées
G06V 10/82 - Dispositions pour la reconnaissance ou la compréhension d’images ou de vidéos utilisant la reconnaissance de formes ou l’apprentissage automatique utilisant les réseaux neuronaux
G06V 30/19 - Reconnaissance utilisant des moyens électroniques
G06V 30/194 - Références réglables par une méthode adaptative, p.ex. par apprentissage
G06V 40/60 - Moyens statiques ou dynamiques permettant d’aider l’utilisateur à positionner une partie du corps pour l’acquisition de données biométriques
A61B 34/20 - Systèmes de navigation chirurgicale; Dispositifs pour le suivi ou le guidage d'instruments chirurgicaux, p.ex. pour la stéréotaxie sans cadre
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, outillage ou accessoires spécialement adaptés à la chirurgie ou au diagnostic non couverts par l'un des groupes , p.ex. pour le traitement de la luxation ou pour la protection de bords de blessures
25.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MONITORING FETAL HEARTBEAT AND UTERINE CONTRACTION SIGNALS
An ultrasound system includes: an ultrasound device having a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers; and a smartphone or tablet in operative communication with the ultrasound device. The ultrasound system is configured to: collect multiple sets of ultrasound data from multiple regions within the subject; detect fetal heartbeat signals and uterine contraction signals; monitor a fetal heartbeat signal among the fetal heartbeat signals by automatically steering an ultrasound beam to a first region among the multiple regions within the subject to collect first further ultrasound data from the first region based on a quality of the fetal heartbeat signal; and monitor a uterine contraction signal among the uterine contraction signals by automatically steering the ultrasound beam to a second region among the multiple regions within the subject to collect second further ultrasound data from the second region based on a quality of the uterine contraction signal.
A universal ultrasound device having an ultrasound probe includes a semiconductor die; a plurality of ultrasonic transducers integrated on the semiconductor die, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers configured to operate a first mode associated with a first frequency range and a second mode associated with a second frequency range, wherein the first frequency range is at least partially non-overlapping with the second frequency range; and control circuitry configured to: control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to generate and/or detect ultrasound signals having frequencies in the first frequency range, in response to receiving an indication to operate the ultrasound probe in the first mode; and control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to generate and/or detect ultrasound signals having frequencies in the second frequency range, in response to receiving an indication to operate the ultrasound probe in the second mode.
A61B 8/12 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores dans des cavités ou des conduits du corps, p.ex. en utilisant des cathéters
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
27.
Architecture of single substrate ultrasonic imaging devices, related apparatuses, and methods
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound device circuitry as may form part of a single substrate ultrasound device having integrated ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasound device circuitry may facilitate the generation of ultrasound waveforms in a manner that is power- and data-efficient.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
B06B 1/06 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique fonctionnant par effet piézo-électrique ou par électrostriction
G10K 11/34 - Procédés ou dispositifs pour transmettre, conduire ou diriger le son pour focaliser ou pour diriger le son, p.ex. balayage par commande électrique de systèmes de transducteurs, p.ex. en dirigeant un faisceau acoustique
H03K 5/13 - Dispositions ayant une sortie unique et transformant les signaux d'entrée en impulsions délivrées à des intervalles de temps désirés
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
H03K 5/00 - Transformation d'impulsions non couvertes par l'un des autres groupes principaux de la présente sous-classe
A hand-held ultrasound device, for placement on a subject, includes a semiconductor device and a housing to support the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes: a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; a plurality of pulsers coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; a plurality of waveform generators configured to drive the plurality of pulsers; receive processing circuitry configured to process ultrasound signals received by the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; and a plurality of independently controllable registers configured to store a plurality of different parameters for the waveform generators.
G01S 15/02 - Systèmes utilisant la réflexion ou la reradiation d'ondes acoustiques, p.ex. systèmes sonar utilisant la réflexion d'ondes acoustiques
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
H04R 1/00 - HAUT-PARLEURS, MICROPHONES, TÊTES DE LECTURE POUR TOURNE-DISQUES OU TRANSDUCTEURS ACOUSTIQUES ÉLECTROMÉCANIQUES ANALOGUES; APPAREILS POUR SOURDS; SYSTÈMES D'ANNONCE EN PUBLIC - Détails des transducteurs
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
A method of manufacturing an ultrasound imaging device involves forming an interposer structure, including forming a first metal material within openings through a substate and on top and bottom surfaces of the substrate, patterning the first metal material, forming a dielectric layer over the patterned first metal material, forming openings within the dielectric layer to expose portions of the patterned first metal material, filling the openings with a second metal material, forming a third metal material on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate, and patterning the third metal material. The method further involves forming a packaging structure for an ultrasound-on-chip device, including attaching a multi-layer flex substrate to a carrier wafer, bonding a first side of an ultrasound-on-chip device to the multi-layer flex substrate, bonding a second side of the ultrasound-on-chip device to a first side of the interposer structure, and removing the carrier wafer.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
30.
APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR CONFIGURING ULTRASOUND DEVICES
Ultrasound devices are disclosed. The ultrasound devices have an elevational dimension. Different percentages of the aperture of the ultrasound device corresponding to different percentages of the elevational dimension are utilized in different applications. The resolution of imagine may be adjusted in connection with usage of different percentages of the aperture.
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
31.
Bottom electrode via structures for micromachined ultrasonic transducer devices
An ultrasound transducer device includes an electrode, a membrane, and vias. The membrane is separated from the electrode by a cavity between the membrane and the electrode. The vias electrically connect the electrode to a substrate disposed on an opposite side of the electrode from a side facing the membrane. The vias are disposed in the ultrasound transducer device such that greater than 50% of the vias overlap with the cavity in a plan view.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
32.
Display panel or portion thereof with graphical user interface
Technology for guiding a user to collect clinically usable ultrasound images is described. In some embodiments, an ultrasound device may automatically change the elevational steering angle of its ultrasound beam (e.g., using beamforming) in order to collect ultrasound data from different imaging planes within the subject. A processing device in operative communication with the ultrasound device may select one of the collected ultrasound images based on its quality (e.g., select the ultrasound image having the highest quality), and then continue to collect ultrasound images using the elevational steering angle at which the selected ultrasound image was collected.
To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and an output data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as a digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. The on-chip digitization of received signals also enables the on-chip integration of ultrasound processing and/or pre-processing to reduce the burden on off-chip computing. Data compression architectures are disclosed to facilitate the transfer of data off-chip as a digital data stream in accordance with the bandwidth requirements of standard commercially-available output interfaces.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
37.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR GUIDING A USER TO COLLECT ULTRASOUND IMAGES
Aspects of the present application provide methods and apparatus for directing operation of an ultrasound device. Some aspects provide various instructions to a user of the ultrasound device, automatically detect when the user has completed a step based on ultrasound images collected by the ultrasound device, and automatically transitioning to providing an instruction for a following step. The instructions may relate to positioning of the ultrasound device and application of an ultrasound coupling medium, in some embodiments.
Aspects of the disclosure described herein related to packaging an ultrasound-on-a-chip. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an ultrasound-on-a-chip that has through-silicon vias (TSVs) and an interposer coupled to the ultrasound-on-a-chip and including vias, where the ultrasound-on-a-chip is coupled to the interposer such that the TSVs in the ultrasound-on-a-chip are electrically connected to the vias in the interposer. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an ultrasound-on-a-chip having bond pads, an interposer that has bond pads and that is coupled to the ultrasound-on-a-chip, and wirebonds extending from the bond pads on the ultrasound-on-a-chip to the bond pads on the interposer.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
B06B 1/06 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique fonctionnant par effet piézo-électrique ou par électrostriction
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
A method includes: determining, by a host device, a predetermined path including a first tilt from which a target anatomical view is available and a second tilt from which the target anatomical view is not available, where the predetermined path has a pivot of fewer than 180 degrees about an anatomical area; instructing, by the host device, an operator to pivot an ultrasound device along the predetermined path by displaying a display on the host device; receiving a first ultrasound image depicting the target anatomical view and a second ultrasound image not depicting the target anatomical view based on ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound device while pivoting along the predetermined path; and identifying that the first ultrasound image depicts the target anatomical view. The predetermined path is determined prior to collecting the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for calculating, during imaging, a quality of a sequence of images collected during the imaging. Calculating the quality of the sequence of images may include calculating a probability that a medical professional would use a given image for clinical evaluation and a confidence that an automated analysis segmentation performed on the given image is correct. Techniques described herein also include receiving a trigger to perform an automatic measurement on a sequence of images, calculating a quality of the sequence of images, determining whether the quality of the sequence of images exceeds a threshold quality, and performing the automatic measurement on the sequence of images based on determining that the quality of the sequence of images exceeds the threshold quality.
A system comprising a multi-modal ultrasound probe configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes associated with a respective plurality of configuration profiles; and a computing device coupled to the handheld multi-modal ultrasound probe and configured to, in response to receiving input indicating an operating mode selected by a user, cause the multi-modal ultrasound probe to operate in the selected operating mode.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
A61B 8/12 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores dans des cavités ou des conduits du corps, p.ex. en utilisant des cathéters
B06B 1/06 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique fonctionnant par effet piézo-électrique ou par électrostriction
42.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COHERENCE IMAGING IN OBTAINING ULTRASOUND IMAGES
A system for coherence imaging may receive ultrasound signals each having a respective delay associated with a respective ultrasonic transducer element in an ultrasonic transducer array. The system may obtain an approximation of the auto-correlation of ultrasound signals without any auto-correlation calculation, and determine the output image based on the approximation. In approximating the auto-correlation, the system may group the ultrasound signals into multiple portions, each corresponding to a respective sub-aperture of a plurality of sub-apertures of the ultrasonic transducer array. The system may determine a coherent sum of signals for each sub-aperture, perform a square operation or magnitude square operation over the coherent sum to obtain resulting data, normalize the resulting data, and sum the resulting data for all of the sub-apertures to generate the output image. A sub-aperture in the plurality of sub-apertures may overlap with another sub-aperture.
Ultrasound devices are described. The ultrasound devices may be flexibly configured to output a certain number of multilines per channel of ultrasound data and to process certain channels of ultrasound data per processing cycle. The ultrasound device may then be configured to either output more multilines per channel and process fewer channels per processing cycle, or output fewer multilines per channel and process more channels per processing cycle. In other words, the circuitry may be configured to change to a configuration with increased resolution and increased processing time or to a configuration with decreased resolution and decreased processing time.
A61B 8/12 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores dans des cavités ou des conduits du corps, p.ex. en utilisant des cathéters
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
44.
ULTRASOUND APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING ULTRASOUND DEVICES
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to an ultrasound device including a first die that includes an ultrasonic transducer, a first application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is bonded to the first die and includes a pulser, and a second ASIC in communication with the second ASIC that includes integrated digital receive circuitry. In some embodiments, the first ASIC may be bonded to the second ASIC and the second ASIC may include analog processing circuitry and an analog-to-digital converter. In such embodiments, the second ASIC may include a through-silicon via (TSV) facilitating communication between the first ASIC and the second ASIC. In some embodiments, SERDES circuitry facilitates communication between the first ASIC and the second ASIC and the first ASIC includes analog processing circuitry and an analog-to-digital converter. In some embodiments, the technology node of the first ASIC is different from the technology node of the second ASIC.
An ultrasonic transducer is described. The ultrasonic transducer comprises a membrane and a substrate disposed opposite the membrane such that a cavity is formed therebetween. The substrate comprises an electrode region and pedestals protruding from a surface of the substrate and having a height greater than a height of the electrode region, the pedestals being electrically isolated from the electrode region.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
47.
CAPACITIVE MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS (CMUTS) HAVING NON-UNIFORM PEDESTALS
An ultrasound device is described. The ultrasound device comprises a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The CMUT comprises a membrane, a substrate, a cavity disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the cavity comprises a bottom surface adjacent to the substrate, and non-uniform pedestals protruding from the bottom surface of the cavity into the cavity and towards the membrane.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
A foldable processing device coupled to an ultrasound device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the foldable processing device may include a first panel having a first display screen, a second panel having a second display screen, and one or more hinges. The first panel and the second panel may be rotatably coupled by the one or more hinges. The foldable processing device may be in operative communication with an ultrasound device and configured to present different particular displays on the first and second display screens. In some embodiments, the foldable processing device may include a first panel, a second panel, a display screen, and one or more hinges. The first panel and the second panel may be rotatably coupled by the one or more hinges such that the display screen folds upon itself. The foldable processing device may be in operative communication with an ultrasound device and configured to present different particular displays on first and second portions of the display screen.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G09F 9/30 - Dispositifs d'affichage d'information variable, dans lesquels l'information est formée sur un support, par sélection ou combinaison d'éléments individuels dans lesquels le ou les caractères désirés sont formés par une combinaison d'éléments individuels
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multilevel pulser is described, which can provide bipolar pulses of multiple levels. The multilevel pulser includes a pulsing circuit and pulser and feedback circuit. Symmetric switches are also described. The symmetric switches can be positioned as inputs to ultrasound receiving circuitry to block signals from the receiving circuitry.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for guiding an operator to use an ultrasound device. Thereby, operators with little or no experience operating ultrasound devices may capture medically relevant ultrasound images and/or interpret the contents of the obtained ultrasound images. For example, some of the techniques disclosed herein may be used to identify a particular anatomical view of a subject to image with an ultrasound device, guide an operator of the ultrasound device to capture an ultrasound image of the subject that contains the particular anatomical view, and/or analyze the captured ultrasound image to identify medical information about the subject.
G06V 10/82 - Dispositions pour la reconnaissance ou la compréhension d’images ou de vidéos utilisant la reconnaissance de formes ou l’apprentissage automatique utilisant les réseaux neuronaux
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
G06V 10/44 - Extraction de caractéristiques locales par analyse des parties du motif, p.ex. par détection d’arêtes, de contours, de boucles, d’angles, de barres ou d’intersections; Analyse de connectivité, p.ex. de composantes connectées
G06V 40/60 - Moyens statiques ou dynamiques permettant d’aider l’utilisateur à positionner une partie du corps pour l’acquisition de données biométriques
G06F 18/2413 - Techniques de classification relatives au modèle de classification, p.ex. approches paramétriques ou non paramétriques basées sur les distances des motifs d'entraînement ou de référence
G06V 30/19 - Reconnaissance utilisant des moyens électroniques
G06V 30/194 - Références réglables par une méthode adaptative, p.ex. par apprentissage
G06T 11/60 - Edition de figures et de texte; Combinaison de figures ou de texte
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, outillage ou accessoires spécialement adaptés à la chirurgie ou au diagnostic non couverts par l'un des groupes , p.ex. pour le traitement de la luxation ou pour la protection de bords de blessures
A61B 34/20 - Systèmes de navigation chirurgicale; Dispositifs pour le suivi ou le guidage d'instruments chirurgicaux, p.ex. pour la stéréotaxie sans cadre
55.
Time gain compensation circuit and related apparatus and methods
An ultrasound device, including a profile generator, an encoder configured to receive a profile signal from the profile generator, and an attenuator configured to receive a signal representing an output of an ultrasound sensor and coupled to the encoder to receive a control signal from the encoder, the attenuator including a plurality of attenuator stages, the attenuator configured to produce an output signal that is an attenuated version of the input signal.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation de l'intérieur, p.ex. microscopie acoustique
G01N 29/44 - Traitement du signal de réponse détecté
G01N 29/11 - Analyse de solides en mesurant l'atténuation des ondes acoustiques
H03H 7/25 - Affaiblisseurs indépendants de la fréquence comprenant un élément commandé par une variable électrique ou magnétique
56.
Ultrasound receiver circuitry and related apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus are described for implementing a coding scheme on ultrasound signals received by a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The coding, and subsequent decoding, may allow for multiple ultrasonic transducers to be operated in a receive mode simultaneously while still differentiating the contribution of the individual ultrasonic transducers. Improved signal characteristics may result, including improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
G01S 7/527 - Extraction des signaux d'écho désirés
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein.
G01S 15/02 - Systèmes utilisant la réflexion ou la reradiation d'ondes acoustiques, p.ex. systèmes sonar utilisant la réflexion d'ondes acoustiques
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
H04R 1/00 - HAUT-PARLEURS, MICROPHONES, TÊTES DE LECTURE POUR TOURNE-DISQUES OU TRANSDUCTEURS ACOUSTIQUES ÉLECTROMÉCANIQUES ANALOGUES; APPAREILS POUR SOURDS; SYSTÈMES D'ANNONCE EN PUBLIC - Détails des transducteurs
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
Described herein are arrays of piezoelectric ultrasound elements. The piezoelectric ultrasound elements may be arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The piezoelectric ultrasound elements in one column may be shifted along the vertical dimension of the array with respect to piezoelectric ultrasound elements in an adjacent column. A piezoelectric ultrasound element in one column may be coupled to a different circuit than all other piezoelectric ultrasound elements in the column. The circuit may be, for example, an analog-to-digital converter or a circuit configured to transmit ultrasound signals from the array. Each piezoelectric ultrasound element in a column may be configured so that it can operate at a different frequency from each of the other piezoelectric ultrasound elements in the column. There array may include at least 1,000 piezoelectric ultrasound elements. The array may be monolithically integrated with a substrate comprising different circuits for each piezoelectric ultrasound element in the array.
Aspects of the technology described herein related to controlling, using control circuitry, modulation circuitry to modulate and delay first ultrasound data generated by first ultrasound transducers positioned at a first azimuthal position of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound device and second ultrasound data generated by second ultrasound transducers positioned at a second azimuthal position of the ultrasound transducer array of the ultrasound device, such that the first ultrasound data is delayed by a first delay amount and the second ultrasound data is delayed by a second delay amount that is different from the first delay amount. The first and second ultrasound data received from the modulation circuitry may be filtered and summed. The ultrasound transducer array, the control circuitry, the modulation circuitry, the filtering circuitry, and the summing circuitry may be integrated onto a semiconductor chip or one or more semiconductor chips packaged together.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
61.
MULTI-LEVEL PULSER AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS
Apparatus and methods are provided directed to a device, including at least one ultrasonic transducer, a multi-level pulser coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; the multi-level pulser including a plurality of input terminals configured to receive respective input voltages, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, and a signal path between a first input terminal and the output terminal including a first transistor having a first conductivity type coupled to a first diode and, in parallel, a second transistor having a second conductivity type coupled to a second diode.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multi-level pulser is described, which can support time-domain and spatial apodization. The multi-level pulser may be controlled through a software-defined waveform generator. In response to the execution of a computer code, the waveform generator may access master segments from a memory, and generate a stream of packets directed to pulsing circuits. The stream of packets may be serialized. A plurality of decoding circuits may modulate the streams of packets to obtain spatial apodization.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
G10K 11/34 - Procédés ou dispositifs pour transmettre, conduire ou diriger le son pour focaliser ou pour diriger le son, p.ex. balayage par commande électrique de systèmes de transducteurs, p.ex. en dirigeant un faisceau acoustique
64.
Parameter loader for ultrasound probe and related apparatus and methods
Programmable ultrasound probes and methods of operation are described. The ultrasound probe may include memory storing parameter data and may also include a parameter loader which loads the parameter data into programmable circuitry of the ultrasound probe. In some instances, the ultrasound probe may include circuitry grouped into modules which may be repeatable and which may be coupled together to allow data to be exchanged between the modules.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
H04B 11/00 - Systèmes de transmission utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
H04L 5/00 - Dispositions destinées à permettre l'usage multiple de la voie de transmission
H04L 69/324 - Protocoles de communication intra-couche entre entités paires ou définitions d'unité de données de protocole [PDU] dans la couche liaison de données [couche OSI 2], p.ex. HDLC
A removable cable connector engages with an electronic device such that the removable cable connector removably yet securely attaches to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a plate configured to guide an electronic plug of the removable cable connector toward an electronic receptacle of the electronic device. The plate may be further configured to include one or more locators for holding the electronic receptacle of the electronic device in place. The removable cable connector may include a molded housing formed using a two-shot overmolding process to form a first overmolded strain relief portion and a second overmolded strain relief portion which cover fasteners that fasten a face plate to the connector.
Ultrasound devices and methods are described, including a repeatable ultrasound transducer probe having ultrasonic transducers and corresponding circuitry. The repeatable ultrasound transducer probe may be used individually or coupled with other instances of the repeatable ultrasound transducer probe to create a desired ultrasound device. The ultrasound devices may optionally be connected to various types of external devices to provide additional processing and image rendering functionality.
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
G03B 27/42 - Appareils de tirage par projection, p.ex. agrandisseur, appareil photographique de reproduction pour la reproduction automatique répétée d'un même original
G03B 27/52 - Appareils de tirage par projection, p.ex. agrandisseur, appareil photographique de reproduction - Détails
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
G01S 7/00 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , ,
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
A variable current trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) for an ultrasound device is described. The TIA may be coupled to an ultrasonic transducer to amplify an output signal of the ultrasonic transducer representing an ultrasound signal received by the ultrasonic transducer. During acquisition of the ultrasound signal by the ultrasonic transducer, one or more current sources in the TIA may be varied.
H03F 3/16 - Amplificateurs comportant comme éléments d'amplification uniquement des tubes à décharge ou uniquement des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs comportant uniquement des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs avec dispositifs à effet de champ
H03F 1/08 - Modifications des amplificateurs pour réduire l'influence défavorable de l'impédance interne des éléments amplificateurs
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
A61B 5/00 - Mesure servant à établir un diagnostic ; Identification des individus
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
68.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR BEAMFORMING IN ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS
Beamforming circuitry for an ultrasound device is disclosed, that may directly calculate the position in receive line space for an incoming ultrasound data sample given the time of flight (ToF) of that ultrasound data sample. In some embodiments, this may be done without initially buffering the ultrasound data sample received from the particular receive datapath multiplexed to the beamforming circuitry. The beamforming circuitry may then associate the ultrasound data sample with that position in receive line space, and in particular, with a memory address corresponding to that location. Thus, when the beamforming circuitry multiplexes between different receive datapaths, it may not need to buffer ultrasound data samples from different receive datapaths prior to saving the data to memory.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to built-in self-testing (BIST) of circuitry (e.g., a pulser or receive circuitry) and/or transducers in an ultrasound device. A BIST circuit may include a transconductance amplifier coupled between a pulser and receive circuitry, a capacitor network coupled between a pulser and receive circuitry, and/or a current source couplable to the input terminal of receive circuitry to which a transducer is also couplable. The collapse voltages of transducers may be characterized using BIST circuitry, and a bias voltage may be applied to the membranes of the transducers based at least in part on their collapse voltages. The capacitances of transducers may also be measured using BIST circuitry and a notification may be generated based on the sets of measurements.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
H03F 1/32 - Modifications des amplificateurs pour réduire la distorsion non linéaire
H03K 5/24 - Circuits présentant plusieurs entrées et une sortie pour comparer des impulsions ou des trains d'impulsions entre eux en ce qui concerne certaines caractéristiques du signal d'entrée, p.ex. la pente, l'intégrale la caractéristique étant l'amplitude
H03M 3/00 - Conversion de valeurs analogiques en, ou à partir d'une modulation différentielle
G01N 29/30 - Dispositions pour l'étalonnage ou la comparaison, p.ex. avec des objets standard
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
An ultrasound circuit comprising a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) with built-in time gain compensation functionality is described. The TIA is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer to amplify an electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer in response to receiving an ultrasound signal. The TIA is, in some cases, followed by further analog and digital processing circuitry.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
G01N 29/44 - Traitement du signal de réponse détecté
G01S 7/523 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe - Détails de systèmes à impulsions
G01H 17/00 - Mesure des vibrations mécaniques ou des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores non prévue dans les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe
H03F 3/30 - Amplificateurs push-pull à sortie unique; Déphaseurs pour ceux-ci
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
73.
Microfabricated ultrasonic transducer having individual cells with electrically isolated electrode sections
An ultrasonic transducer includes a membrane, a bottom electrode, and a plurality of cavities disposed between the membrane and the bottom electrode, each of the plurality of cavities corresponding to an individual transducer cell. Portions of the bottom electrode corresponding to each individual transducer cell are electrically isolated from one another. Each portion of the bottom electrode corresponds to each individual transducer that cell further includes a first bottom electrode portion and a second bottom electrode portion, the first and second bottom electrode portions electrically isolated from one another.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
G01N 29/22 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'emploi d'ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores; Visualisation de l'intérieur d'objets par transmission d'ondes ultrasonores ou sonores à travers l'objet - Détails
74.
BOTTOM ELECTRODE MATERIAL STACK FOR MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICES
An ultrasonic transducer device includes a bottom electrode layer of a transducer cavity disposed over a substrate. The bottom electrode layer includes a bottom layer of a first type metal; a top layer of the first type metal; a second type metal disposed between the bottom layer and the top layer; and at least one intermediate layer of the first type metal disposed between the bottom layer and the top layer, the at least one intermediate layer configured so as to define at least two discrete layers of the second type metal.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for guiding an operator to use an ultrasound device. Thereby, operators with little or no experience operating ultrasound devices may capture medically relevant ultrasound images and/or interpret the contents of the obtained ultrasound images. For example, some of the techniques disclosed herein may be used to identify a particular anatomical view of a subject to image with an ultrasound device, guide an operator of the ultrasound device to capture an ultrasound image of the subject that contains the particular anatomical view, and/or analyze the captured ultrasound image to identify medical information about the subject.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G06K 9/62 - Méthodes ou dispositions pour la reconnaissance utilisant des moyens électroniques
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
G06V 10/44 - Extraction de caractéristiques locales par analyse des parties du motif, p.ex. par détection d’arêtes, de contours, de boucles, d’angles, de barres ou d’intersections; Analyse de connectivité, p.ex. de composantes connectées
G06V 30/194 - Références réglables par une méthode adaptative, p.ex. par apprentissage
G06V 40/60 - Moyens statiques ou dynamiques permettant d’aider l’utilisateur à positionner une partie du corps pour l’acquisition de données biométriques
G06T 11/60 - Edition de figures et de texte; Combinaison de figures ou de texte
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, outillage ou accessoires spécialement adaptés à la chirurgie ou au diagnostic non couverts par l'un des groupes , p.ex. pour le traitement de la luxation ou pour la protection de bords de blessures
A61B 34/20 - Systèmes de navigation chirurgicale; Dispositifs pour le suivi ou le guidage d'instruments chirurgicaux, p.ex. pour la stéréotaxie sans cadre
76.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MODIFYING THE LOCATION OF AN ULTRASOUND IMAGING PLANE
Aspects of the technology described herein related to modifying the location of an ultrasound imaging plane. Some embodiments include modifying the location of the ultrasound imaging plane based on a user selection. For example, some embodiments include receiving the user selection through a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes an ultrasound imaging plane indicator, where the ultrasound imaging plane indicator indicates the location of the ultrasound imaging plane. As another example, some embodiments include receiving the user selection by detecting tilts, taps, or voice commands. Some embodiments include automatically modifying the location of the ultrasound imaging plane. Some embodiments include modifying the location of the ultrasound imaging plane during biplane imaging.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to an ultrasound device having a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to operate with a first ADC clock signal having a first timing delay and a second ADC configured to operate with a second ADC clock signal having a second timing delay. The first timing delay and the second timing delay may be different. The ultrasound device may further include delay control circuitry configured to control direct digital synthesis (DDS) circuitry to implement a first delay in ultrasound data from the first ADC and a second delay in ultrasound data from the second ADC. The first delay may correct for the first timing delay and the second delay may correct for the second timing delay.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound circuits that employ a differential ultrasonic transducer element, such as a differential micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) element. The differential ultrasonic transducer element may be coupled to an integrated circuit that is configured to operate the differential ultrasonic transducer element in one or more modes of operation, such as a differential receive mode, a differential transmit mode, a single-ended receive mode, and a single-ended transmit mode.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B06B 1/06 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique fonctionnant par effet piézo-électrique ou par électrostriction
80.
Display panel or portion thereof with graphical user interface
Vertical packaging configurations for ultrasound chips are described. Vertical packaging may involve use of integrated interconnects other than wires for wire bonding. Examples of such integrated interconnects include edge-contact vias, through silicon vias and conductive pillars. Edge-contact vias are vias defined in a trench formed in the ultrasound chip. Multiple vias may be provided for each trench, thus increasing the density of vias. Such vias enable electric access to the ultrasound transducers. Through silicon vias are formed through the silicon handle and provide access from the bottom surface of the ultrasound chip. Conductive pillars, including copper pillars, are disposed around the perimeter of an ultrasound chip and provide access to the ultrasound transducers from the top surface of the chip. Use of these types of packaging techniques can enable a substantial reduction in the dimensions of an ultrasound device.
H01L 29/84 - Types de dispositifs semi-conducteurs commandés par la variation d'une force mécanique appliquée, p.ex. d'une pression
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
H01L 41/293 - Formation d’électrodes, de connexions électriques ou de dispositions de bornes Électrodes de connexion de parties piézo-électriques ou électrostrictives multicouches
H01L 41/113 - Eléments piézo-électriques ou électrostrictifs à entrée mécanique et sortie électrique
84.
CMOS ultrasonic transducers and related apparatus and methods
CMOS Ultrasonic Transducers and processes for making such devices are described. The processes may include forming cavities on a first wafer and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer. The second wafer may be processed to form a membrane for the cavities. Electrical access to the cavities may be provided.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
B81B 3/00 - Dispositifs comportant des éléments flexibles ou déformables, p.ex. comportant des membranes ou des lamelles élastiques
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
G10K 11/18 - Procédés ou dispositifs pour transmettre, conduire ou diriger le son
G10K 9/12 - Dispositifs dans lesquels le son est produit par la vibration d'un diaphragme ou un élément analogue, p.ex. cornes de brume, avertisseurs de véhicule ou vibreurs fonctionnant électriquement
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to providing feedback a user to position an ultrasound device. Some embodiments include configuring the ultrasound device to alternate collection of ultrasound images having one image plane and collection of ultrasound images having the other image plane, and providing feedback to the user to position the ultrasound device based on the ultrasound images. In such embodiments, feedback may be provided for simultaneously centering the anatomical structure in both types of ultrasound images. Some embodiments include collecting ultrasound images having one image plane, providing feedback for centering the anatomical structure in those ultrasound images, and once the anatomical structure is centered in those ultrasound images, collecting ultrasound images having another image plane and providing feedback for centering the anatomical structure in those ultrasound images.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to detecting degrade ultrasound imaging frame rate. Some embodiments include receiving ultrasound data from the ultrasound device, generating ultrasound images from the ultrasound data, taking one or more measurements of ultrasound imaging frame rate based on the ultrasound images, comparing the one or more measurements of ultrasound imaging frame rate to an reference ultrasound imaging frame rate value, and based on a result of comparing the one or more measurements of ultrasound imaging frame rate to the reference ultrasound imaging frame rate value, providing a notification and/or disabling an ultrasound imaging preset and/or an ultrasound imaging mode with which the ultrasound device was configured.
G01S 15/89 - Systèmes sonar, spécialement adaptés à des applications spécifiques pour la cartographie ou la représentation
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
88.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM WITH IMAGING PARAMETER VALUES
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to configuring an ultrasound system with imaging parameter values. Certain aspects relate to configuring an ultrasound system to produce sets of ultrasound images, each respective set of ultrasound images being produced with a different respective set of imaging parameter values; obtaining, from the ultrasound system, the sets of ultrasound images; determining a set of ultrasound images from among the sets of ultrasound images that has a highest quality; and based on determining the set of ultrasound images that has the highest quality, providing a prompt as to whether to configure the ultrasound system to produce ultrasound images using a set of imaging parameter values with which the set of ultrasound images that has the highest quality was produced.
Aspects of the technology described herein related to monitoring fetal heartbeat and uterine contraction signals. An ultrasound system may be configured to sweep a volume to collect ultrasound data, detect a fetal heartbeat and/or uterine contraction signal in the ultrasound data, and automatically steer an ultrasound beam to monitor the fetal heartbeat and/or uterine contraction signal. The ultrasound system may be further configured to determine a location where the fetal heartbeat and/or uterine contraction signal is detectable or detectable at a highest quality. The ultrasound system may include a wearable ultrasound device, such as an ultrasound patch coupled to a subject. The wearable ultrasound device may have a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers capable of steering ultrasound beams in three dimensions.
Circuitry for an ultrasound device is described. The ultrasound device may include a symmetric switch positioned between a pulser and an ultrasound transducer. The pulser may produce bipolar pulses. The symmetric switch may selectively isolate a receiver from the pulser and the ultrasound transducer during a transmit mode of the device, when the bipolar pulses are provided by the pulser to the ultrasound transducer for transmission, and may selectively permit the receiver to receive signals from the ultrasound transducer during a receive mode. The symmetric switch may be provided with a well switch to remove well capacitances in a signal path of the device.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
92.
Serial interface for parameter transfer in an ultrasound device
Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multi-level pulser is described, which can support time-domain and spatial apodization. The multi-level pulser may be controlled through a software-defined waveform generator. In response to the execution of a computer code, the waveform generator may access master segments from a memory, and generate a stream of packets directed to pulsing circuits. The stream of packets may be serialized. A plurality of decoding circuits may modulate the streams of packets to obtain spatial apodization.
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
93.
Methods and apparatuses for collection of ultrasound images
Aspects of the technology described herein include determining, during ultrasound imaging, that an anatomical region is clipped by a field of view of an ultrasound image, and providing a notification, during the ultrasound imaging, that the anatomical region is clipped by the field of view of the ultrasound image. Aspects of the technology described herein also include determining that an anatomical region is clipped by a field of view of at least one ultrasound image collected during a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging sweep, and providing a notification that the anatomical region is clipped by the field of view of the at least one ultrasound image collected during the three-dimensional ultrasound imaging sweep.
An ultrasonic transducer device is provided. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate having a membrane support layer formed on a bottom cavity layer, and an opening in the membrane support layer so as to form a transducer cavity. In some embodiments, the opening comprises a truncated circle shape.
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
H04R 31/00 - Appareils ou procédés spécialement adaptés à la fabrication des transducteurs ou de leurs diaphragmes
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
B06B 1/06 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique fonctionnant par effet piézo-électrique ou par électrostriction
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to control circuitry configured to turn on and off the ADC driver. In some embodiments, the control circuitry is configured to turn on and off the ADC driver in synchronization with sampling activity of an ADC, in particular based on when an ADC is sampling. The control circuitry may be configured to turn on the ADC driver during the hold phase of the ADC a time period before the track phase and to turn off the ADC driver during the hold phase a time period after the track phase. In some embodiments, the control circuitry is configured to control a duty cycle of the ADC driver turning on and off. In some embodiments, the control circuitry is configured to control a ratio between an off current and an on current in the ADC driver.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
A61B 8/12 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores dans des cavités ou des conduits du corps, p.ex. en utilisant des cathéters
Aspects of the technology described herein related to an ultrasound processing unit (UPU) including gray-coding circuitry configured to convert standard binary-coded digital ultrasound signals to gray-coded digital ultrasound signals and gray-decoding circuitry coupled to the gray-coding circuitry and configured to convert the gray-coded digital ultrasound signals to standard binary-coded digital ultrasound signals. The UPU may include an analog portion, a digital portion, and a data bus configured to route the gray-coded digital ultrasound signals from the analog portion to the digital portion subsequent to converting the standard binary-coded digital ultrasound signals to the gray-coded digital ultrasound signals. The analog portion may include multiple analog front-ends (AFEs), the gray-coding circuitry, and an analog-to-digital converter. The digital portion may include the gray-decoding circuitry. A data bus from one AFE may pass over another AFE.
H03M 7/16 - Conversion en, ou à partir de codes à distance unitaire, p.ex. code de Gray, code binaire réfléchi
G01S 7/52 - DÉTERMINATION DE LA DIRECTION PAR RADIO; RADIO-NAVIGATION; DÉTERMINATION DE LA DISTANCE OU DE LA VITESSE EN UTILISANT DES ONDES RADIO; LOCALISATION OU DÉTECTION DE LA PRÉSENCE EN UTILISANT LA RÉFLEXION OU LA RERADIATION D'ONDES RADIO; DISPOSITIONS ANALOGUES UTILISANT D'AUTRES ONDES - Détails des systèmes correspondant aux groupes , , de systèmes selon le groupe
A61B 8/08 - Détection de mouvements ou de changements organiques, p.ex. tumeurs, kystes, gonflements
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
98.
Methods and apparatuses for processing ultrasound signals
Ultrasound apparatus and methods of processing signals are described. The ultrasound apparatus may include multiple channels. In some embodiments, signal processing techniques are described, which in some embodiments are performed on a per-channel basis. The signal processing techniques may involve using down-conversion and filtering of signals on multiple channels. The down-conversion and filtering may be done prior to beamforming.
A61B 8/12 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores dans des cavités ou des conduits du corps, p.ex. en utilisant des cathéters
99.
Microfabricated ultrasonic transducers and related apparatus and methods
Micromachined ultrasonic transducers integrated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrates are described, as well as methods of fabricating such devices. Fabrication may involve two separate wafer bonding steps. Wafer bonding may be used to fabricate sealed cavities in a substrate. Wafer bonding may also be used to bond the substrate to another substrate, such as a CMOS wafer. At least the second wafer bonding may be performed at a low temperature.
B81C 1/00 - Fabrication ou traitement de dispositifs ou de systèmes dans ou sur un substrat
B06B 1/02 - Procédés ou appareils pour produire des vibrations mécaniques de fréquence infrasonore, sonore ou ultrasonore utilisant l'énergie électrique
A61B 8/00 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores
Ultrasound devices and methods are described for collecting ultrasound data. An ultrasound device may include an ultrasound transducer array. The ultrasound device may collect ultrasound data along multiple elevational steering angles with respective apertures of different sizes. The ultrasound data may be used to perform a measurement or generate a visualization.
A61B 8/12 - Diagnostic utilisant des ondes ultrasonores, sonores ou infrasonores dans des cavités ou des conduits du corps, p.ex. en utilisant des cathéters
brevets
