Medical diagnostic ultrasound instrument with ECG module, authorization mechanism and methods of use
US6569101B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4472
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A handheld ultrasound instrument is disclosed having enhanced diagnostic modes including pulse wave Doppler, time-motion analysis, and tissue harmonic imaging. An external electrocardiograph (ECG) recording unit is also disclosed. The ECG unit is adaptable to be used with the handheld ultrasound instrument to provide for ECG monitoring while performing an ultrasound scan in B-mode, Doppler, color Doppler, M-mode, and PW mode. The enhanced handheld ultrasound instrument further includes a security mechanism allowing any combination of the diagnostic modes to be enabled by the manufacturer, and later to enable or disable any one or group of the diagnostic modes. The invention also discloses a method for a manufacturer to maintain a database of handheld ultrasound instrument capabilities after the instruments enter the stream of commerce.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.