US 12,350,110 B2
Method for driving an ultrasound probe, ultrasound probe and ultrasound system comprising said ultrasound probe
Stefano De Beni, Genoa (IT); Marco Crocco, Ovada (IT); and Claudio Fertino, Genoa (IT)
Assigned to Esaote S.p.A., Genoa (IT)
Filed by Esaote S.p.A., Genoa (IT)
Filed on Feb. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/112,370.
Claims priority of application No. 22158476 (EP), filed on Feb. 24, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0263508 A1, Aug. 24, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/94 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 8/585 (2013.01) [A61B 8/4254 (2013.01); A61B 8/565 (2013.01); A61B 90/94 (2016.02)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for automatic detection of a probe selected for use by a user without manual commands comprising:
monitoring operational status of the probe as one of an active probe for ultrasound image acquisition scans and an inactive probe by discriminating between the probe not in use and the probe in use by sensing motion and orientation in space of the probe;
using the motion of the probe and the orientation in space of the probe as criteria for monitoring the operative status of the probe to determine when the probe is in use and when the probe is in not in use corresponding to a stand-by or parking position at a probe stand of an ultrasound system by
comparing sensed motion signals of the probe with one or more reference signals that correspond to characteristic movements of the probe to determine when a motion threshold is satisfied that indicates the probe is in use, and
comparing sensed orientation signals of the probe with one or more reference signals that correspond to characteristic orientation of the probe to determine when an orientation threshold is satisfied that indicates the probe is in use;
operating the probe as an active probe when at least one of the sensed motion signals and the sensed orientation signals indicate the probe is in use; and
operating the probe as an inactive probe when both of the sensed motion signals and the sensed orientation signals indicate the probe is not in use.