Integral auto-selecting yoke/transducer connector for ultrasound transducer probe

US5615678A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Thomas R. Kirkham · Dousman, US
• Kirsten N. Laconte · Waukesha, US
• Michael L. Hall · Austin, US
• Jonathan E. Snyder · Whitefish Bay, US
• Edward S. Wallace · Tempe, US
• William H. Phillips · Saginaw, US
• Robert Petersen · Lake Zurich, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 25, 1994
• Grant date: Apr 1, 1997
• Expiry date: Nov 25, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B50/13
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An integral yoke/transducer connector has built-in probe switches for detecting when a transducer probe has been removed from its yoke. Based on the status of the probe switch and other feedback information, a system controller activates the out-of-holder probe if it has priority. In this manner, a probe can be automatically activated when it is lifted out of its yoke, thereby eliminating the need to trace a desired probe to its connector/port via the cable. Once a probe/port is auto-selected, it remains the only active probe/port until the probe is placed back in the yoke (or its transducer connector is disconnected from the port on the imaging unit). Placement of the probe in its corresponding yoke opens the probe switch which is built into the yoke/connector assembly. The imaging system can be provided with a plurality of interchangeable probe assemblies, each probe assembly consisting of a transducer probe, a coaxial cable, a transducer connector and a yoke, all four components being integrally attached to each other for installation and removal as an integral unit.