Importance

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Abstract

A method and an apparatus for activating one of a plurality of connected transducers in response to the operator picking up that transducer. This enables the selection of a transducer without the need for pressing a button or key. Automatic selection is accomplished by placing a proximity sensor located within the holder of the transducer or on the transducer itself to indicate whether the transducer is being held by its holder. Switches are also incorporated to detect when a transducer connector has been plugged into each port on the ultrasound imaging machine. Depending on the order in which unactivated normal transducers attain a state whereby the respective normal transducer is both connected and out of its holder, a stack of probe identifiers is created. Identifiers for connected special transducers are added to the stack below any probe identifiers for normal transducers. The identifier at the top of the stack indicates the transducer which will be activated next, i.e., after the presently active transducer has been deactivated. Identifiers are removed from the stack if the corresponding transducer is disconnected from the system or placed in its holder.

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First Claim