WO2014097070A1

WO2014097070A1 - Power and wireless communication modules for a smart ultrasound probe

Info

Publication number: WO2014097070A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/060864
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mckee Dunn Poland; James Christopher TAYLOR
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date: 2012-12-18
Filing date: 2013-12-12
Publication date: 2014-06-26

Abstract

A smart ultrasound probe which connects to a display device by a USB cable is operable with a power module that provides some or all of the power for the probe. The power module has a USB connector which plugs into the probe USB connector and has a second USB connector at a proximal end for engaging the USB cable. A rechargeable battery in the module provides power to the probe while its interconnected USB connectors provide a pass-through of signals between the probe and the USB cable. A wireless communication circuit can also be located in the module to convert the cable-connected probe to a wireless probe.

Description

POWER AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION MODULES

FOR A SMART ULTRASOUND PROBE

This is a continuation-in-part of US patent application no. 11/911,121 filed October 10, 2007 which has as its priority document international patent application PCT/IB06/50987 filed March 31, 2006 which claims the benefit of US provisional patent application no. 60/672,630, filed April 18, 2005.

This invention relates to medical diagnostic ultrasound systems and, in particular, to ultrasound systems formed by a "smart" ultrasound probe which provides image display signals to a portable display unit such as a laptop or tablet display.

As ultrasound electronics has gotten ever more integrated, portable ultrasound systems of smaller sizes and weights become increasingly possible. The first step in this integration was to provide a microbeamformer in the probe as described in US Pat. 6,013,032 (Savord) , which performed at least some of the beamforming in the probe and also made possible solid-state, 3D imaging probes with two dimensional array transducers which are coupled to the ultrasound system by a practical probe cable. With the

integration of beamformation into the probe, the next step in this evolution was to perform all of the beamforming in the probe as well as signal detection as described in the parent application no. 11/911,121, published as US pat. pub. no. 2008/0194951 (Poland) . This step in the evolution made it possible to use a standard laptop personal computer as the final

processor and display system of the ultrasound imaging system. This Poland application also describes the coupling of the ultrasound probe to the laptop p.c. by means of a standard p.c. connector such as a USB connector. The next step in this evolution was to integrate the ultrasound image processing into the probe as describe in US provisional patent application no. 61/700,481, entitled "Mobile 3D ultrasound image acquisition device and ultrasound imaging system, " (Poland), filed September 13, 2012. In the system described in this application, all ultrasound-specific processing is contained within the probe. The system mainframe then need be no more than a commercial off- the-shelf display device such as a portable laptop p.c. which need only function as a display device and, to a limited extent, a graphic user interface to control the probe. The probe itself which is, in effect, an entire ultrasound system except for the display, can be powered by the laptop via a standard connector such as a USB connector since it needs to consume a mere 2.5 watts or less. However, commercial off-the-shelf display devices have themselves become more integrated and compact, such as current tablet p.c.'s. Their small size has meant that in many instances these more compact p.c. devices cannot consistently perform up to the specifications of a USB connection and in many cases can fail to provide the 2.5 watts of power which is generally minimally required to power a "smart" probe which contains ultrasound-specific circuitry and processing.

Accordingly it is desirable to be able to sufficiently power an integrated ultrasound probe so that it can operate with display devices which may be unable to sufficiently power a smart probe.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a module is provided for an ultrasound probe that supplements the power provided by the ultrasound display device. The module contains a battery that supplements the power provided by the display device. The module fits on the proximal end of the probe where the cable to the display device is usually connected. The cable from the display device connects to the module to both couple signals to the display device and provide at least some power to the probe. In a preferred implementation the module is shaped to smoothly blend with the shape of the probe, giving the appearance of only a slightly lengthened probe. In a wireless implementation, the module further contains a wireless transceiver and antenna, thereby converting a cable-connected probe to a battery-powered, wireless probe.

In the drawings :

FIGURE 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a smart probe which connects to a display device by a USB or other standard connector.

FIGURE 2 illustrates an ultrasound probe with an attached power module in accordance with the present invention .

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the probe and power module of FIGURE 2 with the power module shown transparently to illustrate its internal components.

FIGURES 4, 5, and 5A illustrate a clip-on probe module of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an ultrasound probe with an attached wireless module in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side view of the probe and

wireless module of FIGURE 6 with the wireless module shown transparently to illustrate its internal components .

Referring first to FIGURE 1, a matrix array ultrasound probe 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in cross-section. The probe 10 has an outer case 22 which forms the handle portion of the probe which is held by a sonographer when using the probe. The distal end of the probe is enclosed by a nosepiece housing 24. Behind an acoustic lens covering the distal end is a one or two dimensional array

transducer backed by a microbeamformer ASIC, both of which are indicated at 12. The integrated circuitry of the microbeamformer controls transmission by the transducer elements and performs both transmit and receive beamforming of signals transmitted and received by the array. An interposer can be employed if desired to couple the elements of the transducer array to the circuitry of the microbeamformer ASIC. One such interposer is described in international patent pub. WO 2009/083896 (Weekamp et al . ) , for instance. Behind the array transducer and ASIC is a graphite backing block 14 which attenuates acoustic reverberations from the back of the array and

conducts heat developed in the array and ASIC away from the distal end of the probe which contacts the patient. Further details of the graphite backing block may be found in international patent pub. WO 2012/123906 (Davidsen et al . ) An aluminum or magnesium probe frame 16 is in thermally conductive contact with the back of the graphite backing block to conduct heat further away from the distal end of the probe. The frame 16 also mounts electrical components of the probe which themselves are mounted on two printed circuit boards and occupy the space inside the probe indicated by 18. At the back, proximal end of the probe and electrically coupled to the circuitry of the printed circuit boards is a USB connector 28 by which the probe 10 may be coupled to a display device to further process or just display images formed by display signals produced by the probe. The USB connector 28 is held in place by a retainer 26.

Surrounding the frame 16 in the handle portion of the probe is a heatspreader 20. The heatspreader is in thermally conductive contact with the two sides of the frame 16. This thermal contact is promoted by a thermal gasket such as one formed with thermally conductive tape or a thermal compound (putty) where the heatspreader 20 contacts the sides of the frame 16. The heatspreader 20 spreads heat generated by the array transducer and ASIC around the inner surface of the case 22 through which the heat

dissipates into the air without the development of hot spots in the handle of the probe.

As used herein, the term "smart" probe refers to an ultrasound probe which at a minimum performs at least partial beamforming in the probe, and may do further processing including the development of display signals for display on a generic display device. The matrix array probe described in US Pat. 8,177,718 (Savord) describes a smart probe which has as its outputs from the microbeamformer partially beamformed echo signals. Completion of the

beamforming process is done in an ultrasound system beamformer and the system then performs image

processing and display. The smart probe shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the parent 11/911,121 application does all of the beamforming and detection in the probe, producing fully beamformed and at least partially processed line signals for final image processing and display on a portable p.c. The smart probe shown in Fig. 2a of the Poland provisional application no. 61/700,481 referenced above does all ultrasound-specific processing in the probe and outputs display signal for display of ultrasound images on a generic display. In the probe 10 of FIGURE 1, the microbeamformer coupled to the array transducer 12 provides the beamforming function in the probe and processors, memory devices and FPGAs mounted on the printed circuit boards at 18 provide the remaining functionality of the ultrasound signal and image processing within the probe. A USB cable 40 coupled to the USB connector 28 connects the smart probe 10 to a display device.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention a power module 30 is provided to supply part or all of the power required by the smart probe as shown in FIGURE 2. Preferably the housing of the power module is consistent with the form factor of the smart probe, smoothly continuing the lines of the probe shape as illustrated in the drawing. The matching form factor is unobtrusive and gives the appearance of a unitary probe device. It is also as easy to manipulate by the user as is the probe alone. As FIGURE 3 illustrates, the power module 30 has a concave opening that engages and fits around the proximal end of the probe where the USB connector 28 is located. A USB connector 38 is located in the concave opening and engages the USB connector 28 of the probe 10 when the probe and module are connected together. At the proximal end of the module is a USB connector 36 which is coupled to the USB connector 38, thereby providing a pass-through of signals on the D+ and D- conductors between a USB cable 40 connected to the proximal USB connector 36 and the USB connector 28 of the probe. A printed circuit board (p.c.b.) 32 is located inside the module 30. Located on the p.c.b. 32 and electrically coupled to power pins of the module's USB connector are batteries 34. The batteries are rechargeable

batteries and are coupled by way of the p.c.b. 32 to the USB connector 36. The batteries can be recharged by connecting a USB cable to the connector 36 and plugging the other end of the USB cable into a powered USB port on a powered device such as an ultrasound system or p.c, plugging the module into a charging cradle, or into an a.c. wall adapter

commonly used to recharge a rechargeable device by means of a USB cable. The module batteries can be recharged either when the module is coupled to the probe or after it has been removed from the probe. An ON/OFF switch 42 on the side of the module

connects or disconnects battery power to the probe.

The batteries 34 can have various capacities. For instance, the batteries can provide power which is sufficient to entirely power the smart probe 10 for an hour or more. A smart probe may have a nominal power consumption of 2.5 watts, for example. A second option is to provide power that supplements the power provided by the device to which the USB cord 40 is connected. In a given imaging mode a smart probe may need an increased amount of power, 3.5 watts for example. In that case the module batteries will supplement the amount of power

supplied from cable 40, boosting a nominal 2.5 watts of cable power to the necessary 3.5 watts required by the probe .

The retention of the module 30 on the probe 10 can be provided by engagement of just the USB

connectors 28 and 38. In the implementation of FIGURES 4 and 5 the concave opening of the module 30 contains a clip 46 that snaps onto a recess in a sleeve 44 that surrounds the USB connector 28 at the proximal end of the probe. When the concave opening of the module engages the proximal end of the probe 10, the module USB connector 38 engages the USB connector on the proximal end of the probe 10. As it does, the clip 46 of the module snaps into the recess of the USB sleeve 44 as shown in the detail drawing FIGURE 5A. The module 30 is thus retained on the probe 10 by both the frictional engagement of the USB connectors 28, 38 and by the engagement of the clip 46 in the recess of the USB sleeve 44. The clip can be disengaged from the recess by squeezing the module 30 on opposite sides of the module to spread the clip out of engagement with the sleeve recess.

Alternatively, the clip and sleeve may be designed to allow them to be disengaged simply by pulling the module 30 away from probe 10, without having to squeeze module 30. In that case, the clip and sleeve recess merely supplement the retaining friction of connectors 28, 38.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate another

implementation of the present invention whereby the module 30 converts the smart probe 10 to a wireless probe. In this implementation a wireless

communication circuit 52 such as a Bluetooth

integrated circuit is mounted on the module p.c.b. 32. Connected to the wireless circuit 52 is a radio antenna 50 shown extending from the proximal end of the module 30. The antenna 50 is a small antenna such as a whip antenna. The wireless circuit 52 communicates with data circuitry of the probe 10 to provide an ultra wideband radio link between the probe and its display device as described in US provisional patent application no. 61/700,471

(Poland) entitled "Mobile 3D Wireless Ultrasound Image Acquisition Device and Ultrasound Imaging

System," filed September 13, 2012. In this implementation the switch 42 turns the radio link and battery power on and off.

In typical use, a user may be imaging with the smart probe 10 and display device and find that the display device is providing insufficient power for the probe. The user unplugs the USB cable 40 from the smart probe connector 28, snaps power module 30 onto the proximal end of the probe and into connector 28, and plugs the USB cable 40 into the USB connector 36 at the proximal end of the module. The user can then resume scanning with the boost of power provided by the power module. If the battery power of the module becomes depleted during the exam, the user disconnects the module from the probe and replaces it with one with a charged battery. The removed module can be connected to a charging cradle or other charging device to recharge the batteries for their next use. The snap-on power module 30 can also power the smart probe when used with a very small low power display device such as a smartphone .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An ultrasound probe assembly comprising: an ultrasound probe having a transducer array and microbeamformer at a distal end and a data and power connector at the proximal end of the probe handle; and

a power module comprising:

a housing;

a first data and power connector at a distal end of the module which engages the connector of the ultrasound probe;

a second data and power connector at a proximal end of the module which is coupled to the first connector and engages a cable capable of engagement with the connector of the

ultrasound probe; and

a battery located in the module and

electrically coupled to the first connector to supply power to the ultrasound probe.

2. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 1, wherein the housing of the power module further comprises a concave distal end which engages the proximal end of the probe handle so as to provide a consistent form factor to the probe and power module.

3. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 2, wherein the power module further comprises an ON/OFF switch for switching battery power to the ultrasound probe .

4. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 1, wherein the battery further comprises a rechargeable battery, wherein the battery is recharged when the probe and power module are coupled to a display device for ultrasound imaging.

5. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 1, wherein the probe connector and the first and second connectors of the power module are USB connectors, wherein the probe can be connected to a display device by a USB cable without use of the power module, and the probe and power module can be connected to the display device by connecting the power module to the probe and connecting the USB cable to the second connector of the power module.

6. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 5, wherein the power module further comprises a printed circuit board coupled to the first and second USB connectors and the battery is mounted next to the printed circuit board.

7. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 5, wherein the power module is retained on the proximal end of the probe by the engagement of the probe USB connector with the first USB connector of the power module .

8. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 5, wherein the power module further comprises a clip which mates with a mating structure of the probe to retain the power module on the proximal end of the probe .

9. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 8, wherein the power module is additionally retained on the proximal end of the probe by the engagement of the probe USB connector with the first USB connector of the power module.

10. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 8, wherein the power module is detached by compressing the module to disengage the clip from its mating structure on the probe.

11. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 1, wherein the ultrasound probe further comprises ultrasound signal and image processing circuitry coupled to the microbeamformer and the probe data and power connector,

wherein the ultrasound probe further comprises a smart probe which performs all ultrasound-specific processing and provides display signals for display of an ultrasound image on a display device.

12. An ultrasound probe assembly comprising: an ultrasound probe having a transducer array and microbeamformer at a distal end and a data and power connector at the proximal end of the probe handle; and

a wireless communication module comprising:

a housing;

a data and power connector at a distal end of the module which engages the connector of the ultrasound probe;

an antenna located at a proximal end of the module; and

a wireless communication circuit located in the module and electrically coupled to the antenna for sending probe data to a display device .

13. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 12, wherein the data and power connectors of the probe and the wireless communication module further comprise USB connectors.

14. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 12, wherein the housing of the wireless communication module further comprises a concave distal end which engages the proximal end of the probe handle so as provide a consistent form factor to the probe and wireless communication module.

15. The ultrasound probe assembly of Claim 12, wherein the ultrasound probe further comprises ultrasound signal and image processing circuitry coupled to the microbeamformer and the probe data an power connector,

wherein the ultrasound probe further comprises smart probe which performs all ultrasound-specific processing and provides display signals for display of an ultrasound image on a display device.