US 12,279,910 B2
Ultrasound imaging system with a sterilizing system
Glade H. Howell, Draper, UT (US)
Assigned to Bard Access Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed by Bard Access Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed on Mar. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/125,029.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/322,540, filed on Mar. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0301626 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61L 2/10 (2006.01); A61L 2/26 (2006.01); A61N 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/4444 (2013.01) [A61B 8/4254 (2013.01); A61B 8/4422 (2013.01); A61B 8/54 (2013.01); A61L 2/10 (2013.01); A61L 2/26 (2013.01); A61N 5/0624 (2013.01); A61L 2202/11 (2013.01); A61L 2202/24 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0644 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0661 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
an ultrasound probe configured to capture an ultrasound image of a target area of a patient, wherein:
the ultrasound probe includes an array of ultrasound transducers disposed across a probe face of the ultrasound probe, and
the ultrasound transducers are in communication with a console; and
a sterilizing system configured to sterilize a skin surface of the target area, wherein:
the sterilizing system includes a number of light sources in communication with the console, and
the number of light sources are configured to project ultraviolet light away from the probe face.
 
19. A method of capturing an ultrasound image of a target area of a patient, comprising:
positioning an ultrasound probe over the target area;
activating a sterilizing system of the ultrasound probe, the sterilizing system having a number of light sources configured to project ultraviolet light away from a probe face of the ultrasound probe to sterilize a skin surface of the target area;
placing the probe face in physical contact with the skin surface; and
capturing the ultrasound image of the target area.