Ultrasound utility station
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.
1 . A charging station for an ultrasound machine, the charging station comprising:
a surface-mountable component configured to mount on a flat surface of a care facility;
a locking mechanism coupled to the surface mountable component that is configured to mechanically secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station;
a charging system including a circuitry that is configured to wirelessly transfer power from the charging station to the ultrasound machine after the ultrasound machine is mechanically secured to the charging station by the locking mechanism;
one or more sensors coupled to the charging system to capture images in the care facility;
a display device; and
a processor coupled to the one or more sensors to: determine a distance from the one or more sensors to an object in at least one of the images to generate a map of the care facility, wherein the map is generated to include a charging station status, wherein the processor is configured to: receive the charging station status including a first status indicating that the charging station is not available to charge the ultrasound machine, a second status indicating that the charging station is currently available but is scheduled to receive the ultrasound machine within a predetermined time, and a third status indicating that the charging station is available and is not scheduled to receive the ultrasound machine within the predetermined time; and display on the display device the map including the charging station status.
2 . A charging station for an ultrasound machine, the charging station comprising:
a surface-mountable component configured to mount on a flat surface of a care facility, wherein the flat surface includes a floor or a wall of the care facility;
a locking mechanism coupled to the surface mountable component that is configured to mechanically secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station;
a charging system including a circuitry that is configured to wirelessly transfer power from the charging station to the ultrasound machine after the ultrasound machine is mechanically secured to the charging station by the locking mechanism, wherein the circuitry is implemented to transfer the power from the surface-mountable component to the ultrasound machine via inductive or radio frequency (RF) power transfer;
one or more sensors coupled to the charging system to capture images in the care facility;
a display device; and
a processor coupled to the one or more sensors to: determine a distance from the one or more sensors to an object in at least one of the images to generate a map of the care facility, wherein the map is generated to include a charging station status, wherein the processor is configured to: receive the charging station status including a first status indicating that the charging station is not available to charge the ultrasound machine, a second status indicating that the charging station is currently available but is scheduled to receive the ultrasound machine within a predetermined time, and a third status indicating that the charging station is available and is not scheduled to receive the ultrasound machine within the predetermined time; and display on the display device the map including the charging station status.
3 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is implemented to transfer the power from the surface-mountable component to the ultrasound machine via inductive or radio frequency (RF) power transfer.
4 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is implemented to engage with a wheel of the ultrasound machine to secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station.
5 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the surface-mountable component is implemented to determine a weight imposed on the surface-mountable component and compare the weight to a threshold weight, wherein the locking mechanism is implemented to secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station based on the comparison.
6 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes at least one of a detent, a latch, a post, a clamp, and a brake.
7 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the surface-mountable component includes a ramp onto which the ultrasound machine can be rolled.
8 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes at least one recess configured to receive at least one wheel of the ultrasound machine.
9 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the surface-mountable component is implemented to display an indicator for assistance in placing the ultrasound machine for the power transfer.
10 . The charging station as described in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is implemented to secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station using a force of gravity.
11 . A charging station for an ultrasound machine, the charging station comprising:
a surface-mountable component configured to mount on a flat surface of a care facility, wherein the flat surface includes a floor or a wall of the care facility;
a locking mechanism coupled to the surface mountable component that is configured to mechanically secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station;
a charging system including a circuitry that is configured to wirelessly transfer power from the charging station to the ultrasound machine after the ultrasound machine is mechanically secured to the charging station by the locking mechanism, wherein the circuitry is implemented to transfer the power from the surface-mountable component to the ultrasound machine via inductive or radio frequency (RF) power transfer;
one or more sensors coupled to the charging system to capture images in the care facility; and
a processor coupled to the one or more sensors to: determine a distance from the one or more sensors to an object in at least one of the images to generate a map of the care facility, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a charging station status including a first status indicating that the charging station is not available to charge the ultrasound machine, a second status indicating that the charging station is currently available but is scheduled to receive the ultrasound machine within a predetermined time, and a third status indicating that the charging station is available and is not scheduled to receive the ultrasound machine within the predetermined time; and display the charging station status on the map.
12 . The charging station as described in claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism is implemented to engage with a wheel of the ultrasound machine to secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station.
13 . The charging station as described in claim 11 , wherein the surface-mountable component is implemented to determine a weight imposed on the surface-mountable component and compare the weight to a threshold weight, wherein the locking mechanism is implemented to secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station based on the comparison.
14 . The charging station as described in claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism includes at least one of a detent, a latch, a post, a clamp, and a brake.
15 . The charging station as described in claim 11 , wherein the surface-mountable component includes a ramp onto which the ultrasound machine can be rolled.
16 . The charging station as described in claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism includes at least one recess configured to receive at least one wheel of the ultrasound machine.
17 . The charging station as described in claim 11 , wherein the surface-mountable component is implemented to display an indicator for assistance in placing the ultrasound machine for the power transfer.
18 . The charging station as described in claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism is implemented to secure the ultrasound machine to the charging station using a force of gravity.