Ultrasound utility station

Inventors: Craig Chamberlain (Bothell, WA); Andrew Lundberg (Bothell, WA); Patrick Nally (Bothell, WA); Kenji Kimura (Bothell, WA); Trevor Rogers (Bothell, WA); Tyler Dawson (Bothell, WA); Saeed Aliakbari (Bothell, WA); Davin Dhatt (Bothell, WA)

Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.

G16H40/40 A61B8/4281 A61B8/4433 A61B8/4472 A61B8/56 A61B8/565 G01C21/383 G06V10/764 G16H40/20 A61B8/465 A61B8/467

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12700498
App. No.: 18/426,201
Granted: Aug 4, 2026
Kind: B2

External Links

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Abstract

Embodiments of ultrasound utility station and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes displaying a status of the ultrasound machine that indicates a location of the ultrasound machine and an amount of charge of a battery of the ultrasound machine, and displaying an additional status that indicates an additional location of the ultrasound utility station and one or more available ultrasound probes on the ultrasound utility station. After receiving a selection of an ultrasound probe of the available ultrasound probes and a user input that determines a schedule for said configuring the ultrasound machine, the method instructs the ultrasound utility station to charge the battery of the ultrasound machine and provide the ultrasound probe for transfer to the ultrasound machine.

Claims (28)

1 . An ultrasound system comprising:

a display device;

an ultrasound machine including a first mating component including one or more first sensors and a first motion mechanism coupled to the first mating component;

a charging station including a second mating component that is configured to mate with the first mating component to mechanically couple the ultrasound machine to the charging station, and a second motion mechanism coupled to the second mating component;

a charging system including a circuitry that is configured to wirelessly transfer power from the charging station to the ultrasound machine after the one or more first sensors indicate that the ultrasound machine is mechanically coupled to the charging station, wherein the one or more first sensors are configured to generate sensor data to determine a distance and a direction that the ultrasound machine is moved; and

a processor coupled to the first motion mechanism, the second motion mechanism, and the charging system, wherein the processor that is configured to: generate a map of a care facility that indicates locations of the ultrasound machine and the charging station to display on the display device based on the sensor data; determine a first charging location and a second charging location; and move the ultrasound machine and the charging station to at least one of the first charging location and the second charging location, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a charging station status including a first status indicating that the charging station is currently charging other ultrasound machine and is not available to charge the ultrasound machine and a second status indicating that the charging station is currently not charging the other ultrasound machine and is available to charge the ultrasound machine; and display the charging station status on the displayed map.

2 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 1 , wherein the first mating component and the second mating component make up a latch mechanism that secures the ultrasound machine to the charging station when the ultrasound machine is mechanically coupled to the charging station.

3 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound machine, when mechanically coupled to the charging station, is secured to the charging station by gravity.

4 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 1 , wherein the first mating component includes at least one wheel, and the second mating component includes at least one recess configured to receive the at least one wheel.

5 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 4 , further comprising a locking mechanism implemented to engage the at least one wheel to prevent movement of the ultrasound machine.

6 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 1 , wherein the charging station includes a mat.

7 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 6 , wherein the mat includes at least one visual indicator to indicate a parking area for the ultrasound machine.

8 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 1 , wherein the charging station is implemented to project light to indicate a parking area for the ultrasound machine.

9 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 1 , wherein the second mating component includes one or more second sensors.

10 . An ultrasound system comprising:

a display device;

an ultrasound machine including a first mating component including at least one wheel and one or more first sensors coupled to the at least one wheel, and a first motion mechanism coupled to the first mating component;

a charging station including a second mating component that is configured to receive the at least one wheel to mechanically couple the ultrasound machine to the charging station, and a second motion mechanism coupled to the second mating component; and

a processor coupled to the first motion mechanism, the second motion mechanism, and the charging system, wherein that the processor is configured to: generate a map of a care facility that indicates locations of the ultrasound machine and the charging station to display on the display device based on the sensor data; determine a first charging location and a second charging location; and move the ultrasound machine and the charging station to at least one of the first charging location and the second charging location, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a charging station status including a first status indicating that the charging station is currently charging other ultrasound machine and is not available to charge the ultrasound machine and a second status indicating that the charging station is currently not charging the other ultrasound machine and is available to charge the ultrasound machine; and display the charging station status on the displayed map.

11 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 10 , wherein the first mating component and the second mating component make up a latch mechanism that secures the ultrasound machine to the charging station when the ultrasound machine is mechanically coupled to the charging station.

12 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 10 , wherein the ultrasound machine, when mechanically coupled to the charging station, is secured to the charging station by gravity.

13 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 10 , wherein the second mating component includes at least one recess configured to receive the at least one wheel.

14 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 10 , further comprising a locking mechanism implemented to engage the at least one wheel to prevent movement of the ultrasound machine.

15 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 10 , wherein the charging station includes a mat.

16 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 15 , wherein the mat includes at least one visual indicator to indicate a parking area for the ultrasound machine.

17 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 10 , wherein the charging station is implemented to project light to indicate a parking area for the ultrasound machine.

18 . The ultrasound system as described in claim 10 , wherein the second mating component includes one or more second sensors.