Calibration of ultrasound probes

US9282945B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Maui Imaging, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David M. Smith · Saratoga, US
• Sharon L. Adam · San Jose, US
• Donald F. Specht · Los Altos, US
• Kenneth D. Brewer · Santa Clara, US
• John P. Lunsford · Redwood City, US
• David J. Specht · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2011
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2016
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S15/8915
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe includes mounting an ultrasound probe onto a calibration system, transmitting an ultrasound test signal from an element of the probe through a test medium of the calibration system, and receiving the test signal on a matrix of hydrophones such that an element's position relative to other elements and other arrays within the same probe can be computed. Further, the system described herein is configured to detect the acoustic performance of elements of a probe and report the results to an end user or service provider.