Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus connected to wireless ultrasound probes and method of operating the same
Inventors
JIN, Gil-ju • Kim, Yu-Ri • AHN, Mi-Jeoung • Jo, Jae-moon
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12257106-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided are an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus connected to wireless ultrasound probes and a method of operating the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a communicator connected with a plurality of different wireless probes through a wireless communication method by receiving pairing reception signals from the plurality of wireless ultrasound probes; a controller configured to control the communicator to wirelessly connect the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus with the plurality of wireless ultrasound probes and to wirelessly receive status information regarding the connected plurality of wireless ultrasound probes; and a display configured to display a user interface (UI) indicating the received status information regarding the plurality of wireless ultrasound probes.
Core Innovation
The described invention concerns an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that pairs with multiple wireless ultrasound probes and connects to the paired probes. The apparatus receives periodic status information and insert information, including probe identification, wireless communication method or type, communication status, and battery charging information including remaining battery capacity and time left for use. The apparatus displays corresponding UI and GUI elements, including thumbnails and communication indicators, for the probes.
The apparatus distinguishes between activation and pairing for wireless ultrasound probes. Pairing reception signals are used to associate probes with an electronic device, while activation is performed by transmitting an activation signal from the paired electronic device and receiving an activation completion signal. A user selects one probe for activation, and the apparatus controls which probes are activated versus unselected.
For an activated probe, the apparatus transmits ultrasound image data and/or raw data to the paired electronic device after receiving the activation signal. The document further describes transmitting beamformer control signals and controlling a beamformer based on the beam-forming control signal from the paired device. It also describes an option for 60-GHz mmWave raw-data transmission and different system architectures and compatible device types connected to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim. The claim coverage centers on a wireless ultrasound probe with two communicators, probe identification transmission upon pairing, and image-data transmission conditioned on receiving an activation signal from a paired electronic device, with dependent refinements specifying pairing and activation signaling and additional communication and control aspects.
Wirelessly paired ultrasound probe with identification transmission
A wireless ultrasound probe in which a first communicator wirelessly pairs with an electronic device and the controller, based on the first communicator being paired with the electronic device, controls the first communicator to transmit identification information of the wireless ultrasound probe to the paired electronic device.
Activation-signal controlled ultrasound image data transmission
A wireless ultrasound probe in which, based on receiving an activation signal from the paired electronic device, the controller controls the second communicator to transmit the ultrasound image data to the paired electronic device.
Dual-communicator architecture for image data output
A wireless ultrasound probe that includes an image processor configured to generate ultrasound image data based on echo signals and a second communicator configured to transmit the generated ultrasound image data to the electronic device.
User-triggered pairing signal generation and pairing behavior
A wireless ultrasound probe where the first communicator pairs with the electronic device upon receiving a pairing signal, and the electronic device outputs that pairing signal based on a user input.
Multiple communicator modalities for wireless image data
A wireless ultrasound probe including a first Bluetooth communication module and a second Wi-Fi Direct communication module.
Beamformer control based on paired-device signal
A wireless ultrasound probe further including a beam former that receives a beam-forming control signal from the paired electronic device and is controlled by the controller based on that signal.
Ultrasound image frame-rate differentiation by communicator
A wireless ultrasound probe further in which the controller controls a second communicator to send the ultrasound image data at a first frame rate and a third communicator to send the ultrasound image data at a second frame rate, where the first frame rate is higher than the second frame rate.
Enumerated compatible electronic devices for the probe
A wireless ultrasound probe used with an electronic device selected from a PACS viewer, a hand-carried cardiac ultrasound device, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, or a tablet PC.
Across the independent claim and its refinements, the coverage requires identification information transmission after pairing and ultrasound image data transmission only after receiving an activation signal from the paired electronic device, with additional features including user-triggered pairing signal behavior, specified communicator modalities, beamformer control based on a beam-forming control signal, frame-rate differentiation by communicator, and enumerated compatible electronic device categories.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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