Patent · US Active

Apparatus and methods for ultrasound probes

US9479162B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
17References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 28, 2012
Grant dateOct 25, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 25, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2217/0054
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for ultrasound probes are provided. In certain implementations, a receive switch for an ultrasound probe includes a first field effect transistor (FET) and a second FET electrically connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal with the FETs' sources connected to one another. The receive switch includes a positive threshold detection and control circuit for turning off the receive switch when a voltage of the first terminal is greater than a positive threshold voltage, and a negative threshold detection and control circuit for turning off the receive switch when the first terminal's voltage is less than a negative threshold voltage. The receive switch further includes a gate bias circuit that can bias the gates of the first and second FETs so as to turn on the receive switch when no positive or negative high voltage conditions are detected on the first terminal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.