IP Library Granted Patent US 8,435,183
Granted Patent B2
US 8,435,183 · App. 10/404,220 · Granted May 7, 2013

Balance body ultrasound system

Inventors: Stephanie A. Barnes (Bothell, WA); Steven M Bunce (Sedro Woolley, WA); Bryan S. Cabatic (Seattle, WA); Blake W. Little (Bothell, WA); Bill Purdue (Mill Creek, WA); John D. Schultz (Bothell, WA); Kari L. Rice (Bothell, WA)
Assignee: SonoSite, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,435,183
App. No.
10/404,220
Granted
May 7, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable.

Claims (11)

1. A diagnostic ultrasound system comprising:

a balance body ultrasound unit weighing less than three and a half pounds (3.50 lbs), wherein said balance body ultrasound unit comprises a battery, and wherein balance of said balanced body results from predetermined arrangement of internal components of said balanced body including said battery; and

a docking station having a data I/O bus for communicating with said balance body unit, and a power relay for recharging the battery of said balance body ultrasound unit.

2. The diagnostic ultrasound system as described in claim 1 , wherein said docking station further comprises an aperture for receiving and charging a second battery.

3. The diagnostic ultrasound system as described in claim 1 wherein said balance body ultrasound unit's center of gravity is positioned close to the strength of a user's hand.

4. A diagnostic ultrasound system comprising:

a balance body ultrasound unit weighing less than three and a half pounds (3.50 lbs), wherein said balance body ultrasound unit comprises a battery and said balance body ultrasound unit's center of gravity is positioned close to the strength of a user's hand and an aperture is positioned at least partially between said battery and system electronics of said balance body ultrasound unit; and

a station having a data I/O bus for communicating with said balance body unit, and a power relay for recharging the battery of said balance body ultrasound unit.

5. A diagnostic ultrasound system comprising:

a balance body ultrasound unit weighing less than three and a half pounds (3.50 lbs), wherein said balance body ultrasound unit comprises a battery and said balance body ultrasound unit's center of gravity is positioned close to the strength of a user's hand and wherein balance of said balanced body results from predetermined arrangement of said balance body's internal components, including said battery, around an aperture; and

a station having a data I/O bus for communicating with said balance body unit, and a power relay for recharging the battery of said balance body ultrasound unit.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 20, 2015
From: SONOSITE, INC.
To: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.
Reel/Frame 035059/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2004
From: BARNES, STEPHANIE A.; BUNCE, STEVEN; CABATIC, BRYAN S.; LITTLE, BLAKE W.; PURDUE, BILL; SCHULTZ, JOHN D.; RICE, KARI L.
To: SONOSITE, INC.
Reel/Frame 014916/0010 →
Continuity (3)
Division 10227160 · Aug 21, 2002
Continuation In Part 10009474 · Mar 15, 2002
Related Publication 20030195418A1 · Oct 16, 2003