Medical diagnostic ultrasound instrument with ECG module, authorization mechanism and methods of use

US7686766B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SonoSite, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jens U. Quistgaard · Seattle, US
• Leo R. Catallo · Mercer Island, US
• Anthony R. Vannelli · Monroe, US
• Blake Little · Bothell, US
• Randy Holmberg · Bothell, US
• Juin-Jet Hwang · Mercer Island, US
• Clinton T. Siedenburg · Marysville, US
• Ramachandra Pailoor · Woodinville, US
• D. Scott Hirschi · Snohomish, US
• Hung Nguyen · Sachse, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 2005
• Grant date: Mar 30, 2010
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B8/4472
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A handheld ultrasound instrument is disclosed having enhanced diagnostic modes including pulse/continuous wave Doppler, time-motion analysis, spectral 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 CW/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.