Linear magnetic drive transducer for ultrasound imaging

US10517569B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• William F. Weitzel · Ypsilanti, US
• Grant Kruger · Ann Arbor, US
• Brian L. Thelen · Fond du Lac, US
• Jonathan M. Rubin · Ann Arbor, US
• Leo B. Koziol · Canton, US
• Robert A. Brook · Brazoria, US
• Mainak Mitra · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 9, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2019
• Expiry date: Feb 6, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S15/8995
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ultrasound imaging system uses a magnetic linear motor driven ultrasound scanner, with accurate track and hold operation and/or other motion feedback, to scan a two dimensional or three dimensional area of a sample. The scanner is implemented in a low-power and low-bandwidth handheld device and is connected with a remote image processing system that receives raw data and performs full ultrasound image analysis and creation, allowing the handheld to be used for scanning, pre-processing, and display.