Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc.

Eugene A Larson

Frank B Oaks

Perry W Kaminski

An ultrasonic transesophageal scanhead is provided which enables a physician to easily and quickly change the orientation of the image plane during a scanning procedure. Means are provided on either the scanhead or the ultrasound system for selecting the imaging plane. As the imaging plane selector is actuated, an indication of the orientation of the selected plane appears concurrently on the monitor of the system along with a display of ultrasonic information of the selected plane. In a preferred embodiment the indication of the selected plane is displayed both graphically and numerically. A recording of the displayed information will thus capture both the ultrasonic information as well as the image plane orientation. A physician reviewing the recording will thereby know the exact orientation of the image being viewed, leading to a better informed and more precise diagnosis of medical conditions of the body.

Transesophageal ultrasonic scanhead

An ultrasonic transesophageal scanhead is provided which enables a physician to easily and quickly change the orientation of the image plane during a scanning procedure without disrupting control of the scanhead. Means are provided on the external control unit of the scanhead for unambiguously selecting the orientation of the plane which is imaged by the transducers at the end of the probe of the scanhead. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rocker switch is provided on the underside of the control unit, and a lighted indicator is provided on top of the control unit. When the physician desires to change the image plane, the rocker switch is rolled forward to select the transducer elements of the probe which are configured for scanning in the desired image plane. As the rocker switch is moved, the lighted indicator on the top of the control unit provides a visual display pattern aligned either longitudinally or transversely with respect to the axis of the probe. Thus, the physician can change scanning planes without moving his hand from the control unit, and the unit constantly provides an indication of the orientation of the selected plane.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Eugene A Larson