Enhanced Universal Ultrasound Device and System

Publication ID: 24-11857368_0001_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Universal Ultrasound Device and System,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857368_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857368_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,368.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An advanced ultrasound device and system capable of seamless frequency range switching, optimized transducer performance, and comprehensive image dataset generation, offering improved image quality, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced user experience.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's universal ultrasound device, while capable of operating across multiple frequency ranges, still faces limitations in terms of transducer performance, power consumption, and image quality. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing a semiconductor die-integrated probe, advanced control circuitry, and thermal management and power management systems, enabling efficient and high-quality ultrasound imaging at varying depths.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced universal ultrasound device comprises a probe housing a semiconductor die, integrating multiple ultrasonic transducers configured to operate in multiple frequency ranges. The control circuitry enables seamless frequency range switching based on user input, while the thermal management system ensures optimal transducer performance across varying frequency ranges. Additionally, the power management system dynamically allocates power to optimize transducer performance and reduce energy consumption. The system further includes a processing device configured to receive and process ultrasound signals from the universal ultrasound device, generating a comprehensive image dataset encompassing multiple frequency ranges.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present inventive concept introduces a novel combination of semiconductor die-integrated probes, advanced control circuitry, and thermal and power management systems, which collectively enable seamless frequency range switching, optimized transducer performance, and comprehensive image dataset generation. These advancements provide a non-obvious improvement over the original patent, offering enhanced image quality, reduced energy consumption, and improved user experience.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different semiconductor materials, varying transducer configurations, or alternative thermal management systems. Additionally, the system could be adapted for use in various medical or industrial applications, such as cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or non-destructive testing.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced universal ultrasound device and system have significant commercial potential in the medical imaging industry, particularly in the fields of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and obstetric imaging. The device's ability to provide high-quality images at varying depths, while reducing energy consumption and improving user experience, makes it an attractive solution for hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B8/4477
A A61 A61B8/0883
A A61 A61B8/0891
A A61 A61B8/12
A A61 A61B8/4236
A A61 A61B8/4427
A A61 A61B8/4444
A A61 A61B8/4472
A A61 A61B8/4494
A A61 A61B8/465
A A61 A61B8/467
A A61 A61B8/483
A A61 A61B8/485
A A61 A61B8/488
A A61 A61B8/5207
A A61 A61B8/54
A A61 A61B8/56
B B06 B06B1/0292
B B06 B06B1/0622

Field of Art

Medical ultrasound imaging technologies, specifically focused on ultrasound probe design, signal processing, and multi-frequency transducer systems. Requires expertise in semiconductor engineering, signal processing, medical imaging, and electronic system design

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with a graduate degree in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or medical imaging technologies, with 3-5 years of experience in ultrasound device design, familiar with semiconductor integration, transducer technologies, and medical imaging system architectures

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's enhancements represent predictable variations of the source patent's core ultrasound device architecture. The disclosed semiconductor die integration, multi-frequency transducer configurations, and advanced control systems are logical extensions of existing ultrasound imaging technologies. The improvements primarily involve combining known techniques in semiconductor design, thermal management, and power optimization to enhance existing ultrasound device performance.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Single array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUTs) with user-selectable operating modes
PTD Variation
Multiple ultrasonic transducers integrated into a semiconductor die, enabling seamless frequency range switching
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would find it obvious to expand single-array CMUT designs to multi-transducer configurations using standard semiconductor integration techniques, as this represents a predictable advancement in transducer technology
Source Patent Element
Processing device with graphical user interface (GUI) for selecting ultrasound operating modes
PTD Variation
Advanced control circuitry enabling user-driven frequency range switching with comprehensive image dataset generation
Obviousness Reasoning
Extending GUI-based mode selection to include dynamic frequency range control is a natural progression in user interface design for medical imaging devices
Source Patent Element
Ultrasound probe connected to a host processing device
PTD Variation
Semiconductor die-integrated probe with thermal and power management systems to optimize transducer performance
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing thermal and power management in ultrasound probes represents a known technique for improving electronic device performance, using standard semiconductor engineering principles
Source Patent Element
Ultrasound device capable of generating images at different depths
PTD Variation
Universal ultrasound device with dynamic power allocation and comprehensive multi-frequency image dataset generation
Obviousness Reasoning
Optimizing power consumption and expanding image generation capabilities are predictable improvements for medical imaging technologies, utilizing well-established signal processing techniques
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857368 and the disclosed technical variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed universal ultrasound device configurations obvious and anticipated. The proposed technical improvements represent predictable combinations of known ultrasound imaging technologies, utilizing standard semiconductor integration, signal processing, and electronic system design techniques to enhance multi-frequency imaging capabilities.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,368
TitleUniversal ultrasound device and related apparatus and methods
Assignee(s)BFLY Operations, Inc