Ultrasound information processing system
US6547730B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/916
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An architecture and protocol are provided for allowing flexible, low cost, and upgradable ultrasound information processing systems. Ultrasound information processing functions are performed by a plurality of ultrasound modules coupled to a high-speed, multiple-drop serial ultrasound information bus. The ultrasound information bus is used for packetized data transfer among the ultrasound modules in accordance with an ultrasound information exchange protocol. Additional or upgraded ultrasound modules are designed to connect to the ultrasound information bus and to communicate using the ultrasound information exchange protocol. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, as improvements in hardware technology or software algorithms are made, additional or upgraded ultrasound modules are simply “plugged in” to the ultrasound information bus, hereby reducing costs and increasing system versatility and upgradability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.