ULTRASOUND CALIBRATION FIXTURE

Abstract

A fixture for securing a sonography transducer in place against a test surface of a phantom has a cap having a cap surface, wherein the cap is formed to seat against an edge of the phantom and to maintain spacing between the cap surface and the test surface. One or more cutouts in the cap surface are dimensioned to accept the sonography transducer. One or more flexible supports within or adjacent the one or more cutouts are configured to stabilize at least one side of the transducer within the cutout.

Claims

1. A fixture for securing a sonography transducer in place against a test surface of a phantom, comprising: a cap having a cap surface, wherein the cap is configured to seat against an edge of the phantom and to maintain spacing between the cap surface and the test surface; one or more cutouts disposed in the cap surface dimensioned to receive a sonography transducer; and one or more flexible supports within or adjacent the one or more cutouts and configured to stabilize at least one side of the transducer within the cutout.

2. The fixture of claim 1 further comprising one or more fasteners for coupling the cap against the phantom.

3. The fixture of claim 2 wherein the one or more fasteners are taken from the group consisting of mechanical latches, clips, hinges, magnetic elements, and hook and loop fasteners.

4. The fixture of claim 1 further comprising a bracket that extends outward from the cap for gripping the sonography transducer.

5. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the cutouts further comprise a slotted diaphragm formed from rubber or plastic.

6. A fixture for securing a sonography transducer in place against a test surface of a sonography phantom, comprising: a cap having a cap surface, wherein the cap is formed to fasten against an edge of the phantom and to maintain spacing between the cap surface and the test surface; one or more cutouts in the cap surface dimensioned to accept the sonography transducer; at least one flexible support within or adjacent the one or more cutouts and configured to hold the transducer in position against the phantom test surface; and one or more brackets extending outward from the cap surface configured to secure the transducer in place.

7. The fixture of claim 6 wherein the cap further comprises an adjustable fastener for fastening against the edge of the phantom.

8. A method for securing a sonography transducer in place against a test surface of a phantom, comprising: maintaining spacing between a cap surface and a test surface by seating a cap having a cap surface against an edge of a sonography phantom; inserting a sonography transducer into a cutout in the cap surface and against the phantom test surface; and stabilizing at least one side of the sonography transducer within the cutout against one or more flexible supports within or adjacent the cutout.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising fastening the cap to the sonography phantom.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising fitting the transducer against one or more brackets extending outward from the cap surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary ultrasound system.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of an exemplary ultrasound system.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view that shows a conventional phantom that can be used for ultrasound and transducer calibration.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment with a calibration fixture formed as a cap that is featured to removably seat onto edges of a phantom.

[0016] FIG. 5 is perspective view that shows a calibration fixture seated in place against an edge of the phantom.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view that shows an alternate embodiment of a calibration fixture having a different configuration of cutouts, slotted to allow positioning of the probe at alternate angles.

[0018] FIG. 7A is a perspective view that shows a portion of a cap with flexible supports arranged to slightly overlap each other over the cutout.

[0019] FIG. 7B is a perspective view that shows the flexible supports of FIG. 7A flexed to accept insertion of a probe.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment that provides further support of the probe using a bracket.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment wherein the bracket position is adjustable along the cutout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the drawings in which the same reference numerals identify the same elements of structure in each of the several figures.

[0023] Where they are used in the context of the present disclosure, the terms “first”, “second”, and so on, do not necessarily denote any ordinal, sequential, or priority relation, but are simply used to more clearly distinguish one step, element, or set of elements from another, unless specified otherwise.

[0024] As used herein, the term “energizable” relates to a device or set of components that perform an indicated function upon receiving power and, optionally, upon receiving an enabling signal.

[0025] In the context of the present disclosure, the phrase “in signal communication” indicates that two or more devices and/or components are capable of communicating with each other via signals that travel over some type of signal path. Signal communication may be wired or wireless. The signals may be communication, power, data, or energy signals. The signal paths may include physical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, optical, wired, and/or wireless connections between the first device and/or component and second device and/or component. The signal paths may also include additional devices and/or components between the first device and/or component and second device and/or component.

[0026] In the context of the present disclosure, the term “subject” is used to describe the patient that is undergoing ultrasound imaging. The terms “sonographer”, “technician”, “viewer”, “operator”, and “practitioner” are used to indicate the person who actively operates the sonography equipment.

[0027] As the schematic diagram of FIG. 2 shows, the ultrasound system 10 has a central processing unit CPU 20 that provides control signals and processing capabilities. CPU 20 is in signal communication with display 14 and interface device 16, as well as with a storage device 22 and an optional printer 24. A transducer probe 26 provides the ultrasound acoustic signal and generates an electronic feedback signal indicative of tissue characteristics from the echoed sound.

[0028] The perspective view of FIG. 3 shows a phantom 30 that can be used for ultrasound and transducer calibration. An exemplary phantom for ultrasound calibration is the Model 535H Basic QA Phantom from ATS Laboratories, Bridgeport, Conn., USA. A housing 32 provides a protective enclosure for phantom 30 components and has markings 34 that indicate relative locations of various internal structures built into phantom 30. One or more surfaces 38 are formed along sides of the phantom 30 to mimic qualities of skin tissue and serve as test surfaces for probe placement. The materials used typically allow the use of acoustic gels or other materials conventionally used to improve acoustic transmission at the skin surface.

[0029] The perspective view of FIG. 4 shows an embodiment with a calibration fixture 40 formed as a hood, covering, or cap 42 that is featured to removably seat onto and fit in place along an edge of phantom 30. Cap 42 can be formed from metal, plastic, composite, or other suitable materials or combination of materials. When cap 42 is seated in position, with sides 56 gripping against the corresponding side surfaces of the phantom, a cap surface 48 of calibration fixture 40 is positioned so that it is spaced apart from a test surface 38 of the phantom. One or more cutouts 44 are provided in cap 42, suitably dimensioned for temporary insertion of an ultrasound or sonography probe that is seated in contact with surface 38 during testing. One or more flexible supports 46 disposed within or adjacent to cutout 44 are configured to stabilize a side or sides of the probe transducer when inserted into the cutout.

[0030] FIG. 5 is perspective view that shows calibration fixture 40 seated in place against an edge of phantom 30. A sonography transducer 50 is inserted into cutout 44 and held in position so that it presses against test surface 38 of the phantom, stabilized and retained by flexible supports 46. When properly positioned, a sensing tip 52 of transducer 50 is in acoustical contact with surface 38, typically with the added use of an acoustic gel between the transducer 50 and surface 38, as described previously.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view that shows an alternate embodiment of fixture 40 having a different configuration of cutouts 44, slotted to allow positioning of the transducer at alternate angles. Cutouts 44 can be provided in any suitable size or angular arrangement for testing. Alternately, a single cutout 44 can extend along a portion of cap 42, sufficient to allow the transducer 50 to be moved to different portions of the phantom as desired, for obtaining signals from alternative positions. One or more knobs 54 can be provided, allowing the technician to more tightly couple cap 42 of fixture 40 into position. Other features can alternately be used to provide fasteners for improved coupling of the fixture 40, including mechanical latches, clips, or hinges, magnetic elements, or hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO fasteners, for example.

[0032] FIG. 7A is a perspective view that shows a portion of cap 42 with flexible supports 46 arranged to butt against or even slightly overlap each other over cutout 44. In the embodiment shown, supports 46 are formed as stiff but partially flexible rubber or plastic leaves, with sufficient compliance in bending to accept and hold the transducer probe in place without support from the operator/technician. In this arrangement, flexible supports 46 provide a type of slotted diaphragm for allowing transducer positioning and removal.

[0033] FIG. 7B is a perspective view that shows the flexible supports 46 of FIG. 7A with flexure to accept insertion of a transducer. Some amount of stiffness for supports 46 allows stable support of transducer 50 in position within cutout 44.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment that provides further support of transducer 50 using a bracket 80 that extends outward from the cap 42. Opposing flexible couplers 82 cushion and secure transducer 50 in place within cutout 44. Couplers 82 can be of a flexible foam material, for example.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a perspective view that shows an embodiment wherein the bracket 80 position is adjustable along the cutout 44. Bracket 80 translates along a slot 84 and locks into place with a thumbscrew 86 or other fastener, for example. It can be appreciated that other types of slide or other adjustable feature can be provided for setting the position of bracket 80 or other support feature.

[0036] The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a presently preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.