| abstract |
A modular transducer system includes a small, hand held adapter which remains permanently attached to an ultrasound system console and permits the rapid connection and disconnection of individual, sterilizable ultrasound transducers. In a preferred embodiment, the hand held adapter is connected to the system by a retractable cable. In another preferred embodiment, the individual transducers are identifiable by the system using transducer generated binary codes. The individual transducers are submersible in a wide variety of liquids including cleaning solutions and disinfectants. The small transducers are easily stored at the site of the ultrasound examination. Bulky, awkward, time consuming cables and connectors are eliminated. |