Wireless ultrasound probe asset tracking

US8461978B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV · NL

Inventors

• David Garner · Brookline, US
• Kevin Appareti · Methuen, US
• McKee Dunn Poland · Andover, US
• David Rust · Seattle, US
• Denise Marie Haley · New Bedford, US
• Martha Wilson · Andover, US
• Anthony M. Gades · Bothell, US
• Christopher C. Fleming · Howell, US
• Dino Francesco Cuscuna · Reading, US
• John Douglas Fraser · Woodinville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 11, 2013
• Expiry date: Oct 13, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/003
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, an acquisition circuit, a transceiver and a battery. The probe also includes a loudspeaker which produces audible sounds as a function of the range between the wireless probe and a host system. When the probe is within a near field range of the host system, the loudspeaker is silent. But if the probe is moved to an intermediate or a far field range from the host system, the loudspeaker sounds an alert. This audible alert can be used to locate the probe by transmitting a paging signal which, upon reception by the probe, causes the probe to sound its alert. If the probe is moved to an unauthorized location where it is within range of a transmitter or receiver, the reception of a signal by the probe, the transmitter, or receiver will sound an alert signaling the unauthorized presence of the wireless probe.