Medical devices for imaging and apparatus for medical imaging in the field of diagnostics and treatment and devices for carrying and supporting imaging devices and displays during imaging procedures.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Integrated circuits; integrated circuits for transducers, namely, electrical ultrasound transducers and downloadable computer software for operating the integrated circuits
3.
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.
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.
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.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to an ultrasound device that may has a phase-locked loop (PLL) that includes a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO). The DCO includes a plurality of current source unit cells with respective drain switches a plurality of current source unit cells with respective source switches. The plurality of current source unit cells with respective drain switches and the plurality of current source unit cells may have different circuit topologies. Switching on one of the plurality of current source unit cells with respective drain switches may cause a voltage transition at an internal node proceeding in one voltage direction and switching on one of the plurality of current source unit cells with respective source switches may cause a voltage transition at an internal node proceeding in the opposite voltage direction.
An ultrasonic transducer array includes a plurality of functional micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs), each having a cavity of a first diameter. One or more groups of non-functional MUTs are disposed about a perimeter of the functional MUTs, the one or more groups of non-functional MUTs having a cavity of a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.
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 related to an ultrasound device including a first integrated circuit substrate having first integrated ultrasound circuitry and a second integrated circuit substrate having second integrated ultrasound circuitry. The first and second integrated circuit substrates are arranged in a vertical stack. A first conductive pillar is electrically coupled, through a first redistribution layer, to the first integrated circuit substrate, and a second conductive pillar is electrically coupled, through the first and second redistribution layers, to the second integrated circuit substrate.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to automatically calculating an ultrasound pulse transmission direction and configuring an ultrasound device to transmit ultrasound pulses along the ultrasound pulse transmission direction for pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound imaging. Automatically calculating the ultrasound pulse transmission direction may be based on a selected sample volume within a subject where flow velocity is to be measured with the pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound imaging, and a selected direction of the flow velocity to be measured with the pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound imaging.
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.
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.
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.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
G03B 42/06 - Obtaining records using waves other than optical wavesVisualisation of such records by using optical means using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
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.
G11C 11/56 - Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elementsStorage elements therefor using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
G11C 16/04 - Erasable programmable read-only memories electrically programmable using variable threshold transistors, e.g. FAMOS
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to storing ultrasound data. Some embodiments include outputting first ultrasound data from first receive circuitry and outputting second ultrasound data from second receive circuitry on a single clock cycle, and writing the first ultrasound data at a first memory address of a first memory and writing the second ultrasound data at a second memory address of a second memory, where the first and second memory addresses are different. Some embodiments include outputting ultrasound data and a memory address, remapping the memory address to generate a remapped memory address, and writing the ultrasound data to memory at the remapped memory address.
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.
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.
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 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01N 29/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
G01N 29/34 - Generating the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
20.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PROCESSING ULTRASOUND SIGNALS
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to a pipeline configured to pipeline ultrasound signals from multiple analog front-ends (AFEs) to a digital portion of an ultrasound processing unit. The ultrasound signals may be digital ultrasound signals from analog-to-digital converters of the multiple AFEs. The pipeline may include first pipelining circuitry in a first AFE and second pipelining circuitry in a second AFE. The first pipelining circuitry may be configured to output a first digital ultrasound signal from the first pipelining circuitry to the digital portion of the UPU, receive a second digital ultrasound signal from second pipelining circuitry, and output the second digital ultrasound signal from the first pipelining circuitry to the digital portion of the UPU. De-interleaving circuitry may be coupled to the first pipelining circuitry and configured to de-interleave the first digital ultrasound signal and the second digital ultrasound signal outputted by the first pipelining circuitry.
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.
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.
G03B 42/06 - Obtaining records using waves other than optical wavesVisualisation of such records by using optical means using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
G10K 11/34 - Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using electrical steering of transducer arrays, e.g. beam steering
A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes forming a curved membrane over a transducer cavity. A center portion of the curved membrane is closer to a bottom surface of the transducer cavity than with respect to radially outwardly disposed portions of the curved membrane.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
B06B 1/02 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
24.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ANALYZING IMAGING DATA
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to automatically calculating and displaying a prediction of a collective opinion of a group of individuals regarding imaging data and/or an output based on the imaging data. In some embodiments, the prediction may be a prediction of the collective opinion of a group of individuals regarding the usability of imaging data, regarding a segmentation of an image, or regarding a measurement performed based on the imaging data.
G16H 10/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
G16H 30/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for processing medical images, e.g. editing
G16H 40/20 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
G16H 80/00 - ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
25.
BOTTOM ELECTRODE VIA STRUCTURES FOR MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICES
A ultrasonic transducer device includes a transducer bottom electrode layer disposed over a substrate, and a plurality of vias that electrically connect the bottom electrode layer with the substrate, wherein substantially an entirety of the plurality of vias are disposed directly below a footprint of a transducer cavity. Alternatively, the transducer bottom electrode layer includes a first metal layer in contact with the plurality of vias and a second metal layer formed on the first metal layer, the first metal layer including a same material as the plurality of vias.
An ultrasonic transducer device includes a bottom electrode layer of a transducer cavity disposed over a substrate, and a plurality of vias that electrically connect the bottom electrode layer with the substrate. A bottom cavity layer is disposed over the bottom electrode layer, and one or more openings are formed in the bottom cavity layer so as to expose a region of the bottom electrode layer, wherein locations of the one or more openings are segments that are disposed proximate an outer perimeter of the transducer cavity and substantially correspond to locations where the plurality of vias are not disposed directly beneath.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
G01L 7/08 - Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges of the flexible-diaphragm type
27.
WIRELESS ULTRASOUND DEVICE AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS
A system comprising an ultrasound device configured to communicate ultrasound data wirelessly to a remote computing device over a wireless communication link, wherein the ultrasound device and the remote computing device implement the wireless communication link using a set of functions to wirelessly transmit the ultrasound data, and wherein the wireless communication link may be used in combination with a communication wired link.
Some aspects of the technology described herein relate to configuring an ultrasound device to perform a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging sweep, and displaying ultrasound images and segmented portions of the ultrasound images as the ultrasound images are collected during the three-dimensional ultrasound imaging sweep. Certain aspects relate to displaying an ultrasound image collected by an ultrasound device and configuring the ultrasound device to perform a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging sweep based on the ultrasound image collected by the ultrasound device.
An ultrasound probe is provided including one or more ultrasound transducers configured to perform ultrasound imaging, a first logic unit configured to receive ultrasound data from the one or more ultrasound transducers, and a second logic unit coupled to the first logic unit and configured to transmit the ultrasound data wirelessly via a radio module. An ultrasound device is provided configured for removably coupling to an auxiliary module to transmit ultrasound wirelessly via the auxiliary module.
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.
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.
A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes forming and patterning a film stack over a substrate, the film stack comprising a metal electrode layer and a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) stop layer formed over the metal electrode layer; forming an insulation layer over the patterned film stack; planarizing the insulation layer to the CMP stop layer; measuring a remaining thickness of the CMP stop layer; and forming a membrane support layer over the patterned film stack, wherein the membrane support layer is formed at thickness dependent upon the measured remaining thickness of the CMP stop layer, such that a combined thickness of the CMP stop layer and the membrane support layer corresponds to a desired transducer cavity depth.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for enable a user to manually modify an input to a calculation performed based at least in part on an ultrasound image. In some embodiments, manually modifying the input comprises manually modifying a trace on the image. In some embodiments, manually modifying the input comprises manually selecting an ultrasound image from a series of ultrasound images on which a calculation is to be performed.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to collection of ultrasound images depicting needles. Some embodiments include an ultrasound device having a transducer array and configured to use an aperture having a centroid that is closer to a first long side of the transducer array than a second long side of the transducer array. Certain embodiments include instructing a user to begin to insert a needle adjacent at a location that is to a particular long side of the transducer array. Some embodiments include receiving a selection of a particular long side of the transducer array. Certain embodiments include determining that a user has begun to insert a needle at a location that is adjacent to a particular long side of the transducer array.
A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes forming a patterned metal electrode layer over a substrate, the patterned metal electrode layer comprising a lower layer and an upper layer formed on the lower layer; forming an insulation layer over the patterned metal electrode layer; and planarizing the insulation layer to the upper layer of the patterned metal electrode layer, wherein the upper layer comprises a electrically conductive material that serves as a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) stop layer that has CMP selectivity with respect to the insulation layer and the lower layer, and wherein the upper layer has a CMP removal rate slower than that of the insulation layer.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
B81B 3/00 - Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
B81C 1/00 - Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate
36.
PACKAGING STRUCTURES AND PACKAGING METHODS FOR ULTRASOUND-ON-CHIP DEVICES
A method of forming a multiple layer, hybrid interposer structure includes forming a plurality of first openings through a substrate, the substrate comprising a heat spreading material; forming a first metal material within the plurality of first openings 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 a plurality of second openings within the dielectric layer to expose portions of the patterned first metal material on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate; filling the plurality of second openings with a second metal material, in contact with the exposed portions of the patterned first metal material; forming a third metal material on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate, the third metal material in contact with the second metal material and the dielectric layer; and patterning the third metal material.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device, where the processing device is configured to capture video with a front-facing camera and display, simultaneously, the video and an instruction for moving the ultrasound device. The video may depict the ultrasound device and portions of the user near the ultrasound device. The processing device may further display, simultaneously with the video and the instruction, an ultrasound image generated based on ultrasound data received from the ultrasound device. The instruction may be an instruction for moving the ultrasound device from a current position and orientation relative to the user to a target position and orientation relative to the user.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G16H 40/60 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
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.
G09B 23/28 - Models for scientific, medical, or mathematical purposes, e.g. full-sized device for demonstration purposes for medicine
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G06K 9/46 - Extraction of features or characteristics of the image
G06K 9/66 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means using simultaneous comparisons or correlations of the image signals with a plurality of references, e.g. resistor matrix references adjustable by an adaptive method, e.g. learning
G09B 9/00 - Simulators for teaching or training purposes
39.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ULTRASOUND DATA COLLECTION
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to determining, by a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device, a position and/or orientation of the ultrasound device relative to the processing device, and displaying on a display screen of the processing device, based on the position and/or orientation of the ultrasound device relative to the processing device, an instruction for moving the ultrasound device.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G16H 40/60 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
40.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR RECEIVING FEEDBACK FROM USERS REGARDING AUTOMATIC CALCULATIONS PERFORMED ON ULTRASOUND DATA
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for receiving feedback from a user regarding an automatic calculation performed based on ultrasound data. The automatic calculation may be a result for a measurement performed on the ultrasound data. The feedback from the user may include an indication of agreement or disagreement with the result of the measurement; an indication of whether the result of the measurement is too high, too low, or correct; a result for the measurement that the user considers to be correct; or locations on one or more ultrasound images where one or more statistical models should have focused when performing the automatic calculation. The automatic calculation may also include a quality of the ultrasound data for performing a measurement, and the feedback may include an indication whether the user considers the ultrasound data acceptable for performing the measurement or not.
G09B 23/28 - Models for scientific, medical, or mathematical purposes, e.g. full-sized device for demonstration purposes for medicine
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G06K 9/46 - Extraction of features or characteristics of the image
G06K 9/66 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means using simultaneous comparisons or correlations of the image signals with a plurality of references, e.g. resistor matrix references adjustable by an adaptive method, e.g. learning
G09B 9/00 - Simulators for teaching or training purposes
Methods and apparatuses are provided for photoacoustic imaging. One such apparatus may include an ultrasound-on-a-chip device attached to a housing, an optical emitter attached to the housing, and a controller enclosed at least partially in the housing. The ultrasound-on-a-chip device may include a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The optical emitter may include an array of diodes arranged at a periphery of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The controller may be configured to control the optical emitter to emit pulses of light, to control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to detect ultrasonic waves emitted from a target to be imaged in response to exposure to the pulses of light, and to convert the ultrasonic waves to digital signals. For example, the optical emitter may be controlled to emit chirped optical pulses. The digital signals may be processed by the controller to produce image-formation data.
An ultrasound fingerprint sensor is described. The ultrasound fingerprint sensor may incorporate capacitive ultrasound sensing technology, for example in the form of an array of capacitive ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasound fingerprint sensor may be incorporated into various electronic equipment, such as mobile electronic equipment in the form of smartphones and tablet computers, as well as in biometric sensing equipment, such as fingerprint access terminals.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to sensing a fingerprint of a subject via an ultrasound fingerprint sensor. Certain aspects relate to transmitting and receiving ultrasound data at multiple different frequencies to provide sensing data from different depths within the skin of the subject. Since different ultrasound frequencies are expected to penetrate a subject's skin to different degrees, sensing a finger at multiple ultrasound frequencies may provide information on different physical aspects of the finger. For instance, sound ultrasound frequencies may sense a surface of the skin, whereas other ultrasound frequencies may penetrate through one or more of the epidermal, dermal or subcutaneous layers. The ultrasound fingerprint apparatus may have utility in various applications, including but not limited to mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones or tablet computers, a laptop computer or biometric access equipment.
The disclosed embodiments relate to a capacitive micromachined transducers for ultrasound imaging having pressure calibrator to compensate for ultrasound image distortions caused by environmental pressure changes. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method to calibrate a first ultrasound transducer of an array of ultrasound transducers for ambient pressure variation. The method includes the steps of detecting a real-time ambient pressure value; determining a pressure difference value between the detected ambient pressure value and a predetermined pressure value; and calibrating the first ultrasound transducers to compensate for the determined pressure difference.
A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes bonding a membrane to seal a transducer cavity with at least a portion of a getter material layer being exposed, the getter material layer comprising a portion of a bilayer stack compatible for use in damascene processing.
A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer device includes forming an insulating layer having topographic features over a lower transducer electrode layer of a substrate; forming a conformal, anti-stiction layer over the insulating layer such that the conformal layer also has the topographic features; defining a cavity in a support layer formed over the anti-stiction layer; and bonding a membrane to the support layer.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
H04R 19/06 - Gramophone pick-ups using a stylusRecorders using a stylus
H04R 19/08 - Gramophone pick-ups using a stylusRecorders using a stylus comprising two or more styli or transducers
H04R 19/10 - Gramophone pick-ups using a stylusRecorders using a stylus signals being recorded or played-back by vibration of a stylus in two orthogonal directions simultaneously
47.
TRANS-IMPEDANCE AMPLIFIER (TIA) FOR ULTRASOUND DEVICES
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. The variable-current trans-impedance amplifier may include multiple stages, including a first stage having N-P transistor pairs configured to receive an input signal and produce a single-ended amplified signal.
H03F 3/16 - Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements with semiconductor devices only with field-effect devices
Aspects of the technology described herein include ultrasound data collection using different image formats. Some embodiments include causing, within a single imaging preset, an ultrasound device having a single transducer array to switch from a configuration to collect ultrasound data for producing ultrasound images having a first format to a configuration to collect ultrasound data for producing ultrasound images having a second format. Some embodiments include modulating, within a single imaging preset and as a function of imaging depth, a virtual apex location and/or an instantaneous transmit aperture size used for ultrasound data collection by an ultrasound device having a single transducer array.
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 target region identifier superimposed on the ultrasound image, a first icon located on the target region identifier, and a second icon located on the target region identifier. The first icon is configured to control the height of the target region identifier and the angle of two opposite sides of the target region identifier. The second icon is configured to control the width of the target region identifier. The processing device is configured to configure the ultrasound device to collect color Doppler ultrasound data based on the region of the ultrasound image covered by the target region identifier and the angle of the two opposite sides of the target region identifier.
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
50.
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.
A method of forming an ultrasound transducer device includes bonding a membrane to a substrate so as to form a sealed cavity between the membrane and the substrate. An exposed surface located within the sealed cavity includes a getter material that is electrically isolated from a bottom electrode of the cavity.
An ultrasound imaging device includes an ultrasound transducer module disposed within a housing and a flowable acoustic damping material disposed on at least one surface located within an interior of the housing.
G01N 29/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
53.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR COLLECTION OF ULTRASOUND DATA
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to instructing a user to use an ultrasound device to collect ultrasound data. A local processing device may provide an instruction to collect sets of data from multiple positions of the ultrasound device relative to a subject. The local processing device may receive sets of data from the ultrasound device, each of the sets of data including ultrasound data collected at a particular position of the ultrasound device relative to the subject. The local processing device may transmit the sets of data to a remote processing device. The local processing device may receive, from the remote processing device, an indication of a selected set of data from among the sets of data. The local processing device may provide an instruction to move the ultrasound device to the position of the ultrasound device at which the selected set of data was collected.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to displaying indications of anatomical regions that have been imaged and/or that should be imaged next. In some embodiments, ultrasound data collected from a subject by an ultrasound device may be received, an automatic determination may be made that the ultrasound data was collected from a particular anatomical location, and an indication of the anatomical location may be displayed. In some embodiments, a plurality of anatomical locations may be determined for imaging, an anatomical location from among the plurality of anatomical locations may be automatically selected, and an indication of the anatomical location may be displayed. Displaying an indication of an anatomical location may include displaying or modifying a marker on a frame of a video of the subject such that the marker appears in the frame of the video to be located at the anatomical location on the subject.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to displaying locations on images of body portions. Based on ultrasound data collected from a subject by an ultrasound device, a first location on an image of a body portion may be determined. The first location on the image of the body portion may correspond to a current location of the ultrasound device relative to a subject where the ultrasound device collected the ultrasound data. A first marker may be displayed on the image of the body portion at the first location. A second location on the image of the body portion may be determined, where the second location on the image of the body portion corresponds to a target location of the ultrasound device relative to the body portion of the subject. A second marker on the image of the body portion at the second location may be displayed.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 34/10 - Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systemsDevices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
G06K 9/66 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means using simultaneous comparisons or correlations of the image signals with a plurality of references, e.g. resistor matrix references adjustable by an adaptive method, e.g. learning
G16H 30/20 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
56.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF LUNGS
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound imaging of lungs. An ultrasound device may be configured with a set of parameter values associated with a shallow lung imaging mode. A selection of a change in imaging depth may be received. If the selected imaging depth is greater than or equal to a threshold imaging depth, the ultrasound device may be configured with a set of parameter values associated with a deep lung imaging mode. The set of parameter values associated with the shallow lung imaging mode may be optimized for imaging lung sliding and the set of parameter values associated with the deep lung imaging mode may be optimized for imaging A lines and B lines.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/12 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
57.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR GUIDING COLLECTION OF ULTRASOUND DATA USING MOTION AND/OR ORIENTATION DATA
Aspects of technology described herein relate to guiding collection of ultrasound data collection using motion and/or orientation data. A directional indicator corresponding to an instruction for moving an ultrasound imaging device relative to a subject may be displayed in an augmented reality display. The direction of the directional indicator in the augmented reality display may be independent of an orientation of the ultrasound imaging device. The augmented reality display may include video captured by a camera that depicts the ultrasound imaging device and a fiducial marker on the ultrasound imaging device. The direction of the directional indicator may be based on the pose of the camera relative to the fiducial marker and the rotation and/or tilt of the ultrasound imaging device relative to the axis of gravity. The direction of the directional indicator may also be based on the pose of the camera relative to the subject.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to guiding collection of ultrasound data collection using motion and/or orientation data. A first instruction for rotating or tilting the ultrasound imaging device to a default orientation may be provided. Based on determining that the ultrasound imaging device is in the default orientation, a second instruction for translating the ultrasound imaging device to a target position may be provided. Based on determining that the ultrasound imaging device is in the target position, a third instruction for rotating or tilting the ultrasound imaging device to a target orientation may be provided.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to guiding collection of ultrasound data collection using motion and/or orientation data. Motion and/or orientation data may be received from an ultrasound imaging device, where the motion and/or orientation data provides an indication of the motion and/or orientation of the ultrasound imaging device. Ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound imaging device may also be received. An instruction for moving the ultrasound imaging device based on the motion and/or orientation data and the ultrasound data may be provided. Ultrasound data and motion and/or orientation data may indicate a velocity of the ultrasound imaging device that exceeds a threshold velocity and an instruction for slowing the velocity of the ultrasound imaging device may be provided.
Described herein are methods and apparatuses for packaging an ultrasound-on-a-chip. An ultrasound-on-a-chip may be coupled to a redistribution layer and to an interposer layer. Encapsulation may encapsulate the ultrasound-on-a-chip device and first metal pillars may extend through the encapsulation and electrically couple to the redistribution layer. Second metal pillars may extend through the interposer layer. The interposer layer may include aluminum nitride. The first metal pillars may be electrically coupled to the second metal pillars. A printed circuit board may be coupled to the interposer layer.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
61.
APPARATUSES INCLUDING A CAPACITIVE MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DIRECTLY COUPLED TO AN ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER
Aspects of technology described herein relate to ultrasound apparatuses including capacitive micromachines ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) that are directly electrically coupled to delta-sigma analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The apparatus may lack an amplifier or multiplexer between each CMUT and delta-sigma ADC. The apparatus may include between 100 and 20,000 CMUTs and between 100 and 20,000 delta-sigma ADCs, each of the CMUTs directly electrically coupled to one of the delta-sigma ADCs. The CMUTs and the delta-sigma ADCs may be monolithically integrated on a single substrate. The delta-sigma ADCs may lack an integrator distinct from the CMUT. An internal capacitance of the CMUT may serve as an integrator for the delta-sigma ADC.
Micromachined ultrasonic transducers having pressure ports are described. The micromachined ultrasonic transducers may comprise flexible membranes configured to vibrate over a cavity. The cavity may be sealed, in some instances by the membrane itself. A pressure port may provide access to the cavity, and thus control of the cavity pressure. In some embodiments, an ultrasound device including an array of micromachined ultrasonic transducers is provided, with pressure ports for at least some of the ultrasonic transducers. The pressure ports may be used to control pressure across the array.
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.
An ultrasound device is described. The ultrasound device may include a cavity, a membrane, and a sensing electrode. When an electrical signal is applied to the sensing electrode and a static bias is applied to the membrane, the membrane vibrates within the cavity and produces ultrasonic signals. The cavity, the membrane, and the sensing electrode may be considered a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The sensing electrode may be shaped as a ring, whereby the central portion of the sensing electrode is removed. Removal of the central portion of the sensing electrode may reduce the parasitic capacitance without substantially affecting the production of ultrasonic signals by the CMUT. This, in turn, can result in an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the ultrasonic signals. The ultrasound device may further include a bond pad configured for wire bonding, and a trench electrically isolating the bond pad from the membrane.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to wirelessly offloading, from a wearable ultrasound device, ultrasound data sufficient for forming one or more ultrasound images therefrom. The wearable ultrasound device may include an ultrasound patch. Indications that may be monitored with such a device, and therapeutic uses that may be provided by such a device, are also described. Methods and apparatuses are also described for compounding multilines of ultrasound data on an ultrasound device configured to collect the ultrasound data. Additionally, certain aspects of the technology relate to non-uniform grouping of ultrasound transducers that share a transmit/receive circuit in an ultrasound device.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to configuring an ultrasound system with imaging parameter values. In particular, certain aspects relate to configuring an ultrasound system to produce a plurality of sets of ultrasound images, each respective set of the plurality of sets of ultrasound images being produced with a different respective set of a plurality of sets of imaging parameter values; obtaining, from the ultrasound system, the plurality of sets of ultrasound images; determining a set of ultrasound images from among the plurality of sets of ultrasound images that has a highest quality; and based on determining the set of ultrasound images from among the plurality of sets of ultrasound images that has the highest quality, automatically configuring 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 relate to collection and display of ultrasound images using an explaining model. A first ultrasound image may be determined to be in a first class and a second ultrasound image that is in a second class may be generated based on the first ultrasound image. The second ultrasound image may be generated by an explaining model. A classification model may classify the first and second ultrasound images in the first and second classes, respectively. Generating the second ultrasound image may include changing one or more portions of the first ultrasound image. The explaining model may also generate a transformed version of the first ultrasound image and a mask image, and the second ultrasound image may be a composite image of the first ultrasound image and the transformed version of the first ultrasound image. The mask image may determine how to generate the composite image.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound transducer devices including capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) and methods for forming CMUTs in ultrasound transducer devices. Some embodiments include forming a cavity of a CMUT by forming a first layer of insulating material on a first substrate, forming a second layer of insulating material on the first layer of insulating material, and then etching a cavity in the second insulating material. A second substrate may be bonded to the first substrate to seal the cavity. The first layer of insulating material may include, for example, aluminum oxide. The first substrate may include integrated circuitry. Some embodiments include forming through- silicon vias (TSVs) in the first substrate prior to forming the first and second insulating layers (TSV-Middle process) or subsequent to bonding the first and second substrates (TSV-Last process).
B06B 1/00 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency
B81B 3/00 - Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
B81C 1/00 - Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate
G10K 9/12 - Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated
G10K 11/18 - Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound data collection using tele-medicine. An instructor electronic device may generate for display an instructor augmented reality interface and receive, on the instructor augmented reality interface, an instruction for moving an ultrasound imaging device. The instructor augmented reality interface may include a video showing the ultrasound imaging device and a superposition of arrows on the video, where each of the arrows corresponds to a possible instruction for moving the ultrasound imaging device. A user electronic device may receive, from the instructor electronic device, an instruction for moving an ultrasound imaging device, and generate for display, on a user augmented reality interface shown on the user electronic device, the instruction for moving the ultrasound imaging device. The user augmented reality interface may include the video showing the ultrasound imaging device and an arrow superimposed on the video that corresponds to the instruction.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G09G 5/377 - Details of the operation on graphic patterns for mixing or overlaying two or more graphic patterns
G16H 40/67 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound data collection using tele-medicine. An instructor electronic device may generate for display an instructor augmented reality interface and receive, on the instructor augmented reality interface, an instruction for moving an ultrasound imaging device. The instructor augmented reality interface may include a video showing the ultrasound imaging device and a superposition of arrows on the video, where each of the arrows corresponds to a possible instruction for moving the ultrasound imaging device. A user electronic device may receive, from the instructor electronic device, an instruction for moving an ultrasound imaging device, and generate for display, on a user augmented reality interface shown on the user electronic device, the instruction for moving the ultrasound imaging device. The user augmented reality interface may include the video showing the ultrasound imaging device and an arrow superimposed on the video that corresponds to the instruction.
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G06T 19/00 - Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
G09G 5/00 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
71.
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PACKAGING AN ULTRASOUND-ON-A-CHIP
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 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
H01L 21/48 - Manufacture or treatment of parts, e.g. containers, prior to assembly of the devices, using processes not provided for in a single one of the groups or
H01L 21/768 - Applying interconnections to be used for carrying current between separate components within a device
H01L 31/08 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof in which radiation controls flow of current through the device, e.g. photoresistors
Described herein are methods and apparatuses for ultrasound coupling. Certain aspects relate to coupling bodies for acoustically coupling an ultrasound device to a subject. A coupling body may include a first surface configured to couple to an ultrasound device, a second surface configured to contact the subject, a reservoir internal to the coupling body, and a plurality of openings extending between the reservoir and one or both of the first surface and the second surface. The reservoir may contain ultrasound gel. A coupling body may include an adhesive coupled to a subpart of the surface of the coupling body. A coupling body may include a first surface configured to contact the ultrasound device and a second surface including first adhesive configured to adhere to the subject. The first surface may also include second adhesive configured to adhere to an ultrasound patch device. Certain aspects also relate to packaging coupling bodies.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for identifying gestures based on ultrasound data. Performing gesture recognition may include obtaining, with a wearable device, ultrasound data corresponding to an anatomical gesture; and identifying the anatomical gesture based on the obtained ultrasound data. Interfacing with a computing device may include identifying, with a wearable device, an anatomical gesture using ultrasound data obtained by the wearable device; and causing the computing device to perform a specific function based on the anatomical gesture identified by the wearable device. Training a wearable device to perform gesture recognition may include obtaining, with the wearable device, ultrasound data corresponding to an anatomical gesture; obtaining non-ultrasound data corresponding to the anatomical gesture; and training a machine learning model accessed by the wearable device to recognize the anatomical gesture based on correlating the non-ultrasound data and the ultrasound data.
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.
H01L 23/535 - Arrangements for conducting electric current within the device in operation from one component to another including internal interconnections, e.g. cross-under constructions
75.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING AN ULTRASOUND DEVICE WITH IMAGING PARAMETER VALUES
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to configuring an ultrasound device with ultrasound imaging presets. Some embodiments include configuring an ultrasound device with different sets of imaging parameter values without receiving user input regarding configuration of the ultrasound device between configuration of the ultrasound device with one set of imaging parameter values and configuration of the ultrasound device with another set of imaging parameter values. Some embodiments include automatically configuring an ultrasound device with a set of imaging parameter values based on automatically determining an anatomical location being imaged by the ultrasound device. Some embodiments include automatically configuring an ultrasound device with a cardiac preset when a cardiac region is being imaged and automatically configuring the ultrasound device with an abdominal preset when an abdominal region is being imaged during a FAST or eFAST exam.
Ultrasound devices including piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) are described. Frequency tunable PMUT arrays are provided. The PMUTs may be formed on the same substrate or a different substrate than an integrated circuit substrate. The PMUTs may be formed in a variety of ways and from various suitable piezoelectric materials.
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.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to an apparatus including an ultrasound-on-a-chip device configured to be bound to a user's wrist. The ultrasound-on-a- chip device may include a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers. The transducers may be capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) and may be configured to emit ultrasound waves having a frequency between approximately 5-20 MHz. A coupling strip may be coupled to the ultrasound-on-a-chip device to reduce the air gap between the ultrasound-on-a-chip device and the user's wrist. The ultrasound-on-a-chip device may be waterproof and may be able to perform both transverse and longitudinal ultrasound scanning without being rotated. The ultrasound-on-a-chip device may be configured to calculate pulse wave velocity through a blood vessel in a user's wrist.
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to instructing an operator to move an ultrasound device along a predetermined path relative to an anatomical area in order to collect first ultrasound data and second ultrasound data, the first ultrasound data capable of being transformed into an ultrasound image of a target anatomical view, and the second ultrasound data not capable of being transformed into the ultrasound image of the target anatomical view.
Ultrasound devices configured to perform high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are described. An ultrasound device may include HIFU units configured to emit high acoustic intensities. Multiple ultrasound devices may be disposed on a substrate, which may be configured to be flexed so that the direction of emission of the ultrasound devices can be mechanically controlled. Additionally, or alternatively, the ultrasound beams produced by different ultrasound devices may be electronically oriented by adjusting the phases of the signals with which each element of a device is driven. For example, multiple phased arrays of ultrasound devices may be used to concentrate ultrasound energy into a desired location. In some embodiments, the time at which different ultrasound signals are emitted may be controlled, for example to ensure that the combined signal has at least a desired intensity.
Ultrasound devices configured to perform high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are described. An ultrasound device may include HIFU units configured to emit high acoustic intensities and elasticity detectors configured to determine characteristics of the target area of a human body based on the elasticity of the target area. The elasticity detectors may determine, e.g., whether the target area is healthy, and if not, the type cell in need of treatment (e.g., the type of cancer cell present in the target area). In one example, the elasticity detectors may be configured to determine the stiffness of the target area, which may provide an indication as to the type of cell present in the area, by estimating the velocity of a shear wave propagating away from the target area. The shear wave may arise in response to the application of an ultrasound wave to the target area.
A digital microbeamformer apparatus for an ultrasound system includes a plurality of interconnected nodes, with one or more nodes corresponding to at least one channel of the ultrasound system. One or more nodes is configured to communicate data with one or more other nodes via a corresponding beamforming data path, and one or more nodes is coupled to a data output bus shared by one or more other nodes.
An ultrasound circuit comprising a multi-stage trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) 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 may include multiple stages, at least two of which operate with different supply voltages. The TIA may be followed by further processing circuitry configured to filter, amplify, and digitize the signal produced by the TIA.
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.
An ultrasound device is describe in which analog ultrasonic transducer output signal are directly converted to digital signals. The ultrasound device includes microfabricated ultrasonic transducers directly coupled to a sigma delta analog-to-digital converter in some instances. The direct digital conversion may allow for omission of undesirable analog processing stages in the ultrasound circuitry chain. In some situations, the ADC may be integrated on the same substrate as the ultrasound transducer.
G11C 7/16 - Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters
An ultrasound circuit comprising a single-ended trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) 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 followed by further processing circuitry configured to filter, amplify, and digitize the signal produced by the TIA.
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.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
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 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
H01L 41/04 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof - Details of piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements
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.
Processes for fabricating capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) are described, as are CMUTs of various doping configurations. An insulating layer separating conductive layers of a CMUT may be formed by forming the layer on a lightly doped epitaxial semiconductor layer. Dopants may be diffused from a semiconductor substrate into the epitaxial semiconductor layer, without diffusing into the insulating layer. CMUTs with different configurations of N-type and P-type doping are also described.
G01H 11/00 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
H01L 41/04 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof - Details of piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements
H01L 21/46 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups
The disclosed embodiments relate to a portable ultrasound device. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to an acoustic lens positioned at an ultrasound probe. The acoustic lens may be configured for impedance matching and signal attenuation. In one embodiment, ultrasound signal attenuation is provided by forming an acoustic lens as a solid admixture of signal attenuating particles in a polymer matrix.
An exemplary system includes a first ultrasonic transducer assembly configured to deliver high intensity focused ultrasonic (HIFU) energy to a point of interest within a subject, and a second ultrasonic transducer assembly configured to perform imaging of the subject. In another embodiment, a housing is configured to receive an ultrasound probe. The housing may include a cooling circuit and power supply for the ultrasound probe.
G10K 9/12 - Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated
93.
ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL DRIVE CIRCUITRY HAVING BUILT-IN TIME GAIN COMPENSATION FUNCTIONALITY FOR ULTRASOUND APPLICATIONS
A time gain compensation (TGC) circuit for an ultrasound device includes a first amplifier having an integrating capacitor and a control circuit configured to generate a TGC control signal that controls an integration time of the integrating capacitor, thereby controlling a gain of the first amplifier. The integration time is an amount of time an input signal is coupled to the first amplifier before the input signal is isolated from the first amplifier.
An ingestible ultrasound device includes an electronic circuit assembly, including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and control circuitry configured to control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to generate and/or detect ultrasound signals; and an encapsulating medium that encapsulates the electronic circuit assembly.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 1/00 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopesIlluminating arrangements therefor
A61B 1/04 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopesIlluminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
A heat sink device has a non-planar mounting surface and an ultrasonic transducer substrate attached to the non-planar mounting surface. The non-planar mounting surface of the heat sink device is configured to diffuse acoustic waves that are incident thereupon.
An ultrasound device is described configurable to operate in a variety of modes. At least some of the modes are associated with different frequencies of ultrasound signals. A system is also described, 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.
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.
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.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
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.
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.
