Methods and Apparatus for Conformable Medical Data Acquisition Pad and Configurable Imaging System

Abstract

A conformable medical data acquisition pad and configurable imaging system. The conformable pad may comprise a carrier base having a plurality of transceivers in operative association with an interconnection network that communicates with a computer system. The data acquisition pad may be constructed with a flex circuit and at least one ultrasound data collection device to carry out a variety of medical procedures. Different types of signal transmitting and receiving elements can be selected to provide ultrasound systems, including scalable capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers arranged in a variety of configurations in combination with controlling electronics which interface with a translator board and software for signal processing. The resulting ultrasound data, such as a three-dimensional model, can be transmitted via an industry standard high speed bus to standard interfaces on various ultrasound systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating an imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning an imaging array including a plurality of data acquisition elements on the body surface of the patient, wherein the array comprises a flexible substrate in which the data acquisition elements are at least partially embedded;   establishing the location of data acquisition elements in the imaging array relative to the body surface of the patient;   selecting a set of parameters and a pattern for scanning;   transmitting and receiving detection signals through one or more data acquisition elements in the imaging array; and   comparing detection signals received by the data acquisition elements with an expected result.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition elements are ultrasound transducers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition elements are ultrasound transceivers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location of data acquisition elements in the imaging array is established using an initiation signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location of data acquisition elements in the imaging array is established using external laser measurements and sensing, measuring a signal delay across an interconnected network, or using strain gauges. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of scanning parameters comprises any combination of frequency, power, and timing of the detection signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of scanning parameter and pattern is chosen based on the tissue being imaged or the type of image desired. 
     
     
         8 . A method of performing an imaging scan according to a predetermined scanning pattern, the method comprising:
 designating one or more transceiver elements in an imaging array, wherein the imaging array comprises a flexible substrate in which the transceiver elements are at least partially embedded, to both transmit an analysis signal and receive a detection signal, only transmit an analysis signal, only receive a detection signal, or neither transmit an analysis signal nor receive a detection signal; and   choosing the predetermined scanning pattern based on the tissue being imaged or the type of image desired.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined scanning pattern is concentric circles. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined scanning pattern is line to line. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined scanning pattern in point to point. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined scanning pattern in point to grouping. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined scanning pattern in grouping to point.