Patent Publication Number: US-2023158438-A1

Title: Method and system for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system

Description:
FIELD 
     Certain embodiments relate to medical imaging system air filters, and particularly automatic cleaning ultrasound system air filters. More specifically, certain embodiments relate to a method and system for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system, such as an ultrasound system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Medical imaging systems, such as ultrasound systems, may include cooling mechanisms for preventing overheating of electronics housed within the medical imaging system. The cooling systems may include an air filter for filtering ambient temperature air drawn into the medical imaging system. The filtered ambient temperature air may be passed over the electronics to transfer heat from the electronics to the air. The heated air may then be expelled from the medical imaging system. Conventional air filters of medical imaging system cooling systems require periodic replacement and/or cleaning. The replacement or cleaning of the air filter is typically performed manually, which may be inconvenient and inefficient. Failure to timely clean or replace a dusty air filter may cause overheating of the electronics, which may degrade system performance or even result in system failure. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A system and/or method is provided for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
     These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of an exemplary medical imaging system having air filters that are operable to be automatically cleaned, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an exemplary ultrasound system having air inlets for receiving ambient temperature air and air outlets for expelling warmed air, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the exemplary ultrasound system of  FIG.  2   , illustrating exemplary automatic cleaning air filter assemblies, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an exemplary automatic cleaning main body air filter assembly, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps that may be utilized for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system based on an amount of time the medical image device is powered on, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps that may be utilized for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system based on a detected air flow characteristic, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments may be found in a method and system for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system. Aspects of the present disclosure have the technical effect of automatically providing a control signal to activate a motor that drives a drive shaft to automatically clean an air filter of a medical imaging system in response a tracked amount of time the medical imaging system is powered on exceeding a pre-determined threshold. Various embodiments have the technical effect of automatically providing a control signal to activate a motor that drives a drive shaft to automatically clean an air filter of a medical imaging system in response to a monitored air flow characteristic falling outside of a pre-determined threshold. Certain embodiments have the technical effect of automatically cleaning an air filter of a medical imaging system without user intervention (e.g., manual cleaning or replacement of the air filter). 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. To the extent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors or memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory, hard disk, or the like) or multiple pieces of hardware. Similarly, the programs may be stand alone programs, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an installed software package, and the like. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “an exemplary embodiment,” “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “a representative embodiment,” and the like are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional elements not having that property. 
     Furthermore, the term processor or processing unit, as used herein, refers to any type of processing unit that can carry out the required calculations needed for the various embodiments, such as single or multi-core: CPU, Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), Graphics Board, DSP, FPGA, ASIC or a combination thereof. 
     It should be noted that various embodiments are described herein with reference to an ultrasound system. For example,  FIGS.  2  and  3    illustrate an exemplary ultrasound system. However, aspects of the present invention are not limited to ultrasound systems. Instead, any medical imaging system utilizing an air filter is contemplated. 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram of an exemplary medical imaging system  100  having air filters  140 ,  160  that are operable to be automatically cleaned, in accordance with various embodiments. Referring to  FIG.  1   , there is shown a medical imaging system  100 . The medical imaging system  100  comprises main electronics  110 , an AC power box  130 , a main body air filter  140 , an AC power box air filter  160 , and air flow characteristic sensors  152 ,  172  disposed in a housing  102 . The medical imaging system  100  further comprises a user input device  180  and a display system  182  communicatively coupled to the main electronics  110 . 
     The user input device  180  may be utilized to input patient data, medical imaging parameters, settings, select protocols and/or templates, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the user input device  180  may be operable to configure, manage and/or control operation of one or more components and/or modules in the medical imaging system  100 . In this regard, the user input device  180  may be operable to configure, manage and/or control operation of the medical imaging electronics  112 , the air filter processor  114 , the archive  116 , the user input device  180 , and/or the display system  182 . The user input device  180  may include a touch panel, button(s), rotary encoder(s), motion tracking, voice recognition, a mousing device, keyboard, camera and/or any other device capable of receiving a user directive. In certain embodiments, one or more of the user input devices  180  may be integrated into other components, such as the display system  182 , for example. As an example, user input device  180  may include a touchscreen display. 
     The display system  182  may be any device capable of communicating visual information to a user. For example, a display system  182  may include a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, and/or any suitable display or displays. The display system  182  can be operable to present information from the medical imaging electronics  112 , air filter processor  114 , and/or archive  116 , such as air filter cleaning settings, medical image data, and/or any suitable information. 
     The main electronics  110  comprises medical imaging electronics  112 , an air filter processor  114 , an archive  116 , a counter  118 , and a fan  120 . The fan  120  may be configured to prevent the main electronics  110  from overheating by drawing ambient temperature air  202  into the housing  102 , through the main body air filter  140 , and across the main electronics  110 . The heat produced by the main electronics  110  is transferred to the ambient temperature  202  air drawn into the medical imaging system housing  102 . The warmed air  204  is then expelled from the housing  102 . 
     The medical imaging electronics  112  may be configured to control acquisition of medical image data by a probe, scanner, or the like (not shown), receive the medical image data from the probe, scanner, or the like (not shown), and perform one or more processing operations according to a modality corresponding with the received medical image data. The medical imaging electronics  112  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to process medical image data for generating medical images for presentation on the display system  182 . In an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging electronics  112  may be operable to perform display processing and/or control processing, among other things. Acquired medical image data may be processed in real-time during a medical imaging examination as the medical image data is received. Additionally or alternatively, the medical image data may be stored temporarily during a medical imaging examination and processed in less than real-time in a live or off-line operation. In various embodiments, the processed medical image data can be presented at the display system  182  and/or may be stored at the archive  116 . The archive  116  may be a local archive, a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), or any suitable device for storing medical images and related information. The medical imaging electronics  112  may comprise one or more central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and/or the like. The medical imaging electronics  112  may be an integrated component, or may be distributed across various locations, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging electronics  112  may be capable of receiving input information from user input devices  180  and/or archive  116 , generating an output displayable by a display system  182 , and manipulating the output in response to input information from a user input device  180 , among other things. 
     The air filter processor  114  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide a control signal to the main body air filter  140  and/or the AC power box air filter  160  to initiate automatic cleaning of the air filter(s)  140 ,  160 . The air filter processor  114  may be configured to provide the control signal when it determines that a monitored air filter operating condition is no longer within a pre-determined threshold. The monitored air filter operating condition may include an amount of time the medical imaging system  100  has been powered on. Additionally and/or alternatively, the monitored air filter operating condition may include an air flow characteristic detected by a sensor  152 ,  172 . The air flow characteristic may include a flow rate of the air measured by a mass flow rate sensor  152 ,  172 , a pressure drop across an air filter  140 ,  160  measured by a differential pressure sensor  152 ,  172 , or any suitable air flow characteristic measured by any suitable sensor, meter, valve, or the like. The air filter processor  114  may be configured to generate a control signal to send to an appropriate air filter  140 ,  160  in response to the determination that at least one monitored air filter operating condition is not within the pre-determined threshold. The control signal provided by the air filter processor  114  may activate a motor  142 ,  162  of the air filter  140 ,  160  to initiate automatic cleaning as described below in connection with the air filters  140 ,  160 . 
     The air filter processor  114  may be one or more central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and/or the like. The air filter processor  114  may be an integrated component, or may be distributed across various locations, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the air filter processor  114  may be capable of receiving input information from user input devices  180  and/or archive  116 , monitor air filter operating conditions, and providing control signals to the air filters  140 ,  160  for initiating automatic cleaning of the air filters  140 ,  160 , among other things. The air filter processor  114  may be capable of executing any of the method(s) and/or set(s) of instructions discussed herein in accordance with the various embodiments, for example. 
     The air filter processor  114  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to monitor an amount of time the medical imaging system  100  has been powered on as tracked by a counter  118  to determine when to provide a control signal to the main body air filter  140  and/or the AC power box air filter  160  to initiate automatic cleaning of the air filter(s)  140 ,  160 . For example, the main electronics  110  may comprise a counter  118  comprising suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to track an amount of time the medical imaging system  100  is powered on. The counter  118  may be configured to continuously increment when the medical imaging system  100  is powered on until the medical imaging system  100  is powered off. The counter  118  may be configured to resume incrementing when the medical imaging system  100  is powered on again. In various embodiments, the air filter processor  114  may continuously or periodically monitor the counter  118  to determine when a current powered on time of the medical imaging system  100  exceeds a pre-determined threshold. The pre-determined threshold may be set by a manufacturer, vendor, user, or the like. For example, the pre-determined threshold may be 7 days, 30 days, 60 days, or any suitable amount of time. In various embodiments, the pre-determined threshold may be the same or different for each air filter  140 ,  160  in the medical imaging system  100 . The air filter processor  114  may be configured to provide a control signal to the appropriate air filter  140 ,  160  based on the pre-determined threshold associated with the respective air filter  140 ,  160 . The air filter processor  114  may be configured to reset the counter  118  when the pre-determined threshold has been exceeded and the control signal sent to the air filter  140 ,  160 . 
     The air filter processor  114  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to monitor air flow characteristics provided by sensors  152 ,  172  to determine when to provide a control signal to the main body air filter  140  and/or the AC power box air filter  160  to initiate automatic cleaning of the air filter(s)  140 ,  160 . The air flow characteristics may include mass flow rate through the air filter  140 ,  160 , a pressure drop across the air filter  140 ,  160 , or any suitable air flow characteristic. The air flow characteristic may be detected by a sensor  152 ,  172  and transmitted to the air filter processor  114  for processing. The sensor  152 ,  172  may be a mass flow rate sensor, a differential pressure sensor, or any suitable sensor. In various embodiments, the air filter processor  114  may continuously or periodically monitor the air flow characteristics provided by sensors  152 ,  172  to determine when the air flow characteristic of one of more of the air filters  140 ,  160  of the medical imaging system  100  is outside of a pre-determined threshold. The pre-determined threshold may be set by a manufacturer, vendor, user, or the like. For example, the pre-determined threshold may be a minimum mass flow rate, a maximum pressure drop, or any suitable value of an air flow characteristic. In various embodiments, the pre-determined threshold may be the same or different for each air filter  140 ,  160  in the medical imaging system  100 . The air filter processor  114  may be configured to provide a control signal to the appropriate air filter  140 ,  160  based on the air flow characteristic of that air filter  140 ,  160  falling outside of the pre-determined threshold associated with the respective air filter  140 ,  160 . 
     The archive  116  may be one or more computer-readable memories integrated with the medical imaging system  100  and/or communicatively coupled (e.g., over a network) to the medical imaging system  100 , such as a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), a server, a hard disk, floppy disk, CD, CD-ROM, DVD, compact storage, flash memory, random access memory, read-only memory, electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory and/or any suitable memory. The archive  116  may include databases, libraries, sets of information, or other storage accessed by and/or incorporated with the medical imaging electronics  112  and/or the air filter processor  114 , for example. The archive  116  may be able to store data temporarily or permanently, for example. The archive  116  may be capable of storing medical image data, data generated by the medical imaging electronics  112  and/or air filter processor  114 , and/or instructions readable by the medical imaging electronics  112  and/or air filter processor  114 , among other things. In various embodiments, the archive  116  stores instructions for execution by the air filter processor  114  for monitoring the counter  118  and/or sensors  152 ,  172  to generate control signals for automatically cleaning the air filters  140 ,  160 , for example. 
     The AC power box  130  may comprise an AC/DC converter  132  and a fan  134 . The fan  134  may be configured to prevent the AC power box  130  from overheating by drawing ambient temperature air  206  into the housing  102 , through the AC power box air filter  160 , and across the AC power box  130 . The heat produced by the AC power box  130  is transferred to the ambient temperature  206  air drawn into the medical imaging system housing  102 . The warmed air  208  is then expelled from the housing  102 . The AC/DC converter  132  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to convert alternating current (AC) from an external power supply (not shown) to direct current (DC) for powering the components of the medical imaging system  100 , such as the main electronics  110 , fans  120 ,  134 , sensor(s)  152 ,  172 , air filters  140 ,  160 , user input device  180 , and/or display system  182 . 
     The medical imaging system  100  may comprise one or more air filters  140 ,  160  configured to filter air  202 ,  206  drawn into the housing  102  of the medical imaging system  100  for cooling components of the medical imaging system  100 , such as the main electronics  110  and the AC power box  130 . For example, the one or more air filters  140  may comprise a main body air filter  140  for filtering air  202  passed over main electronics  110 , an AC power box air filter  160  for filtering air  206  passed over the AC power box  130 , and/or any suitable number of air filters  140 ,  160 . The air filters  140 ,  160  may be manufactured in various sizes, such as a larger air filter  140 , a smaller air filter  160 , or any suitable number of sizes. The air filters  140 ,  160  may each comprise a motor  142 ,  162 , a drive shaft  144 ,  164 , a passive shaft  146 ,  166 , a filter  148 ,  168 , and a filter brush  150 ,  170 . In various embodiments, one or more sensors  152 ,  172  may be positioned near each of the air filters  140 ,  160  for monitoring at least one air flow characteristic of the respective air filter  140 ,  160 . The air filters  140 ,  160  may be configured to automatically clean the filter  148 ,  168  in response to receiving a control signal from the air filter processor  114 . For example, the control signal may activate the motor  142  coupled to a drive shaft  144 . The activated motor  142  may be configured to rotate the drive shaft  144  coupled to the filter  148 . The filter  148  may be a continuous belt air filter extending around and between the drive shaft  144  and a rotatable passive shaft  146 . As the motor  142  rotates the drive shaft  144 , the filter  148  may translate around and between the drive shaft  144  and the passive shaft  146 , and across a stationary filter brush  150  mounted between the drive shaft  144  and the passive shaft  146  against the filter  148 . The translation of the filter  148  across the stationary filter brush  150  causes dust and other particles to be detached from the filter  148  to automatically clean the filter  148  of the air filter assembly  140 ,  160 . The control signal provided by the air filter processor  114  may be provided to the motor  142  for a pre-determined amount of time sufficient to clean the filter  148  before shutting the motor off. 
     Components of the medical imaging system  100  may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, and/or the like. The various components of the medical imaging system  100  may be communicatively linked. Components of the medical imaging system  100  may be implemented separately and/or integrated in various forms. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an exemplary ultrasound system  100  having air inlets  104 ,  108  for receiving ambient temperature air  202 ,  206  and air outlets  106  for expelling warmed air  204 ,  208 , in accordance with various embodiments.  FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the exemplary ultrasound system  100  of  FIG.  2   , illustrating exemplary automatic cleaning air filter assemblies  140 ,  160 , in accordance with various embodiments. The ultrasound system  100  of  FIGS.  2  and  3    may share various characteristics with the medical imaging system  100  of  FIG.  1   . Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the ultrasound system  100  may comprise a housing  102 , an arm  184 , a mount  186 , main electronics  110 , an AC power box  130 , a main body air filter  140 , and an AC power box air filter  160 . The mount  186  may be configured to receive a user input device  180  and/or display system  182 . The mount  186  may be coupled to an arm  184  extending from and coupled to the housing  102 . The main electronics  110 , AC power box  130 , main body air filter  140 , and AC power box air filter  160  may be disposed within the housing  102 . The housing  102  may include air inlets  104 ,  108  through which ambient temperature air  202 ,  206  is drawn into the housing, through the air filters  140 ,  160   positioned adjacent the air inlets  104 ,  108 , and across the main body electronics  110  or AC power box  130 . The warmed air  204 ,  208  is expelled through air outlets  106  in the housing  102 . For example, ambient temperature air  202  may be drawn through air inlet  104 , passed through main body air filter  140 , and passed across main electronics  110 . The heat from the main electronics  110  may be transferred to the filtered air, and the warmed air  208  may be expelled through air outlet  106  in the housing  102 . The main body air filter  140  may be mounted between the air inlet  104  and the main electronics  110 . As another example, ambient temperature air  206  may be drawn through air inlet  108 , passed through AC power box air filter  160 , and passed across AC power box  130 . The heat from the AC power box  130  may be transferred to the filtered air, and the warmed air  208  may be expelled through air outlet (not shown) in the housing  102 . The AC power box air filter  160  may be mounted between the air inlet  108  and the AC power box  130 . 
       FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an exemplary automatic cleaning main body air filter assembly  140 , in accordance with various embodiments. Although the main body air filter  140  is shown in  FIG.  4   , the AC power box air filter  160  shares various characteristics with the main body air filter  140 . For example, the AC power box air filter  160  may be smaller than the main body air filter  140  but may otherwise include the same components. Referring to  FIG.  4   , the main body air filter  140  comprises a motor  142 , drive shaft  144 , passive shaft  146 , filter  148 , and filter brush  150 . The motor  142  may be mounted within a housing  102  of a medical imaging system  100  by mounting bracket  141 . The motor  142  may receive a first end of the drive shaft  144 . The second, opposite end of the drive shaft  144  may be rotatably mounted to mounting bracket  143 . The motor  142  is configured to rotate the drive shaft  144  when activated. The drive shaft  144  may include grips  145  configured to engage with slots  149  of the filter  148 . The grips  145  may be protrusions extending from drive shaft  144  that fit into the slots  149  of the filter  148 . The filter  148  may be a continuous belt air filter that wraps around the drive shaft  148  on a first side and around a passive shaft  146  at a second side. The ends of the passive shaft  146  may be rotatably mounted within the housing  102  of the medical imaging system  100  by mounting brackets  147 . The passive shaft  146  may optionally include grips (not shown) as provided on the drive shaft  144 . The filter  148  may be configured to translate around and between the drive shaft  144  and the passive shaft  146  when the motor  142  is activated, thereby rotating the drive shaft  144 . The filter brush  150  may be fixedly mounted within the housing  102  of the medical imaging system  100  by mounting bracket  151 . The filter brush  150  may be held stationary against one or both outer sides of the filter  148  between the drive shaft  144  and the passive shaft  146 . 
     In operation, the motor  142  is activated in response to receiving a control signal from the air filter processor  114 . The motor  142  rotates the drive shaft  144  around the longitudinal (i.e., vertical) axis of the drive shaft  144 . The grips  145  of the drive shaft  144  engage the slots  149  in the filter  148  to translate the continuous belt air filter  148  around the drive shaft  144  and the rotatable passive shaft  146 . The translation of the filter  148  causes the filter  148  to move across the stationary filter brush  150  pressed against the outer sides of the filter  148  and/or extending into the slots  149  of the filter  148 , which causes the filter brush  150  to dislodge dust and other particles clinging to the filter  148 , thereby cleaning the filter  148  without user intervention (i.e., automatically). 
       FIG.  5    is a flow chart  300  illustrating exemplary steps 302-310 that may be utilized for automatically cleaning air filters  140 ,  160  of a medical imaging system  100  based on an amount of time the medical image device  100  is powered on, in accordance with various embodiments. Referring to  FIG.  5   , there is shown a flow chart  300  comprising exemplary steps  302  through  310 . Certain embodiments may omit one or more of the steps, and/or perform the steps in a different order than the order listed, and/or combine certain of the steps discussed below. For example, some steps may not be performed in certain embodiments. As a further example, certain steps may be performed in a different temporal order, including simultaneously, than listed below. 
     At step  302 , a medical imaging system  100  is powered on. For example, a user may flip a switch, push a button, plug in a power cord, and/or the like to turn on the medical imaging system  100 . The powering on of the medical imaging system  100  causes an AC power box  130  to receive alternating current (AC) power that is converted by an AC/DC converter to direct current (DC) used to power the medical imaging system  100  components. 
     At step  304 , a counter  118  increments to track an amount of time the medical imaging system  100  is powered on. For example, the counter  118  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to track an amount of time the medical imaging system  100  is powered on. The counter  118  may be configured to continuously increment when the medical imaging system  100  is powered on until the medical imaging system  100  is powered off. 
     At step  306 , an air filter processor  114  of the medical imaging system  100  may determine whether an amount of time that the medical imaging system  100  has been powered on is within a pre-determined threshold. For example, the air filter processor  114  may be configured to continuously or periodically monitor the counter  118  to determine when a current powered on time of the medical imaging system  100  exceeds a pre-determined threshold. The pre-determined threshold may be set by a manufacturer, vendor, user, or the like. For example, the pre-determined threshold may be 7 days, 30 days, 60 days, or any suitable amount of time. If the air filter processor  114  determines that the pre-determined threshold has not been exceeded, the process may return to step  304 . If the air filter processor  114  determines that the pre-determined threshold has been exceeded, the process continues to step  308 . 
     At step  308 , the air filter processor  114  of the medical imaging system  100  may send a control signal to activate a motor of an air filter  140 ,  160  to automatically clean the air filter  140 ,  160 . For example, the air filter processor  114  may be configured to send the control signal to one or more air filters  140 ,  160  of the medical imaging system  100 . The motor  142 ,  162  of the air filter  140 ,  160  is activated in response to receiving the control signal from the air filter processor  114 . The motor  142 ,  162  may be configured to rotate a drive shaft  144 ,  164  having grips  145  that engage slots  149  in a continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  to translate the continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  around the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and a rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 . The translation of the filter  148 ,  168  causes the filter  148 ,  168  to move across a stationary filter brush  150 ,  170  pressed against outer sides of the filter  148 ,  168  and/or extending into the slots  149  of the filter  148 ,  168 , which causes the filter brush  150 ,  170  to dislodge dust and other particles clinging to the filter  148 ,  168 , thereby cleaning the filter  148 ,  168  without user intervention (i.e., automatically). 
     At step  310 , the air filter processor  114  of the medical imaging system  100  may reset the counter  118 . For example, the counter  118  may be reset and the process returns to step  304  where the counter  118  begins incrementing to track the amount of time the medical imaging system  100  has been powered on since the reset occurred. 
       FIG.  6    is a flow chart  400  illustrating exemplary steps  402 - 408  that may be utilized for automatically cleaning air filters  140 ,  160  of a medical imaging system  100  based on a detected air flow characteristic, in accordance with various embodiments. Referring to  FIG.  6   , there is shown a flow chart  400  comprising exemplary steps  402  through  408 . Certain embodiments may omit one or more of the steps, and/or perform the steps in a different order than the order listed, and/or combine certain of the steps discussed below. For example, some steps may not be performed in certain embodiments. As a further example, certain steps may be performed in a different temporal order, including simultaneously, than listed below. 
     At step  402 , a medical imaging system  100  is powered on. For example, a user may flip a switch, push a button, plug in a power cord, and/or the like to turn on the medical imaging system  100 . The powering on of the medical imaging system  100  causes an AC power box  130  to receive alternating current (AC) power that is converted by an AC/DC converter to direct current (DC) used to power the medical imaging system  100  components. 
     At step  404 , an air filter processor  114  of the medical imaging system  100  may monitor air flow characteristics sensed by sensor(s)  152 ,  172 . For example, sensors  152 ,  172  positioned at air filters  140 ,  160  may detect air flow characteristics and provide the air flow characteristics to the air filter processor  114 . The air flow characteristics may include mass flow rate through the air filter  140 ,  160 , a pressure drop across the air filter  140 ,  160 , or any suitable air flow characteristic. The sensor  152 ,  172  may be a mass flow rate sensor, a differential pressure sensor, or any suitable sensor. 
     At step  406 , the air filter processor  114  of the medical imaging system  100  may determine whether the air flow characteristic is within a pre-determined threshold. For example, the air filter processor  114  may continuously or periodically monitor the air flow characteristics provided by sensors  152 ,  172  to determine when the air flow characteristic of one of more of the air filters  140 ,  160  of the medical imaging system  100  is outside of a pre-determined threshold. The pre-determined threshold may be set by a manufacturer, vendor, user, or the like. For example, the pre-determined threshold may be a minimum mass flow rate, a maximum pressure drop, or any suitable value of an air flow characteristic. If the air filter processor  114  determines that the air flow characteristic of a particular air filter  140 ,  160  does not fall outside of the pre-determined threshold associated with the particular air filter  140 ,  160 , the process returns to step  404 . If the air filter processor  114  determines that the the air flow characteristic of a particular air filter  140 ,  160  fall outside of the pre-determined threshold associated with the particular air filter  140 ,  160 , the process continues to step  408 . 
     At step  408 , the air filter processor  114  of the medical imaging system  100  may send a control signal to activate a motor of an air filter  140 ,  160  to automatically clean the air filter  140 ,  160 . For example, the air filter processor  114  may be configured to send the control signal to one or more air filters  140 ,  160  of the medical imaging system  100 . The motor  142 ,  162  of the air filter  140 ,  160  is activated in response to receiving the control signal from the air filter processor  114 . The motor  142 ,  162  may be configured to rotate a drive shaft  144 ,  164  having grips  145  that engage slots  149  in a continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  to translate the continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  around the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and a rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 . The translation of the filter  148 ,  168  causes the filter  148 ,  168  to move across a stationary filter brush  150 ,  170  pressed against outer sides of the filter  148 ,  168  and/or extending into the slots  149  of the filter  148 ,  168 , which causes the filter brush  150 ,  170  to dislodge dust and other particles clinging to the filter  148 ,  168 , thereby cleaning the filter  148 ,  168  without user intervention (i.e., automatically). 
     Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method  300 ,  400  and system  100  for automatically cleaning air filters  140 ,  160  of a medical imaging system  100 . In accordance with various embodiments, the method  300 ,  400  may comprise monitoring  304 ,  404 , by at least one processor  114  disposed in a housing  102  of a medical imaging system  100 , an air filter operating condition. The method  300 ,  400  may comprise determining  306 ,  406 , by the at least one processor  114 , that the air filter operating condition is not within a pre-determined threshold. The method  300 ,  400  may comprise providing  308 , by the at least one processor  114 , a control signal to at least one air filter  140 ,  160 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  comprises a motor  142 ,  162  configured to activate in response to the control signal. The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  comprises a drive shaft  144 ,  164  rotatably coupled to the motor  142 ,  162 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  comprises a rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  comprises a continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  coupled to the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and the passive shaft  146 ,  166 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  comprises a stationary filter brush  150 ,  170  mounted against the continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168 . The method  300 ,  400  may comprise rotating  308 ,  408 , by the motor  142 ,  162  in response to the control signal, the drive shaft  144 ,  164  to translate the continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  around and between the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and the rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 , and across the stationary filter brush  150 ,  170 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the method  300 ,  400  may comprise drawing air  202 ,  206 , by at least one fan  120 ,  134 , into the housing  102  via the at least one air inlet  202 ,  206 . The method  300 ,  400  may comprise passing the air  202 ,  206 , by the at least one fan  120 ,  134 , through the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 . The method  300 ,  400  may comprise passing the air  202 ,  206 , by the at least one fan  120 ,  134 , across electronics  110 ,  130  disposed within the housing  102 . The method  300 ,  400  may comprise expelling the air  204 ,  208 , by the at least one fan  120 ,  134 , from the at least one air outlet  106 . In a representative embodiment, the electronics  110 ,  130  comprise at least one of an alternating current (AC) power box  130 , or medical imaging electronics  112 . In various embodiments, the method  300 ,  400  may comprise tracking  304 , by a counter  118 , an amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. The air filter operating condition may be the amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. The pre-determined threshold may be a maximum amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. In certain embodiments, the method  300 ,  400  may comprise detecting  404 , by at least one sensor  152 ,  172 , the air filter operating condition. The air filter operating condition may be at least one of a mass flow rate of air  202 ,  206  passing through the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 , or an air pressure drop between an air inlet side of the at least one air filter  140 ,  160  and an air outlet side of the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 . The threshold may be at least one of a minimum mass flow rate, or a maximum air pressure drop. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one sensor  152 ,  172  is one or both of a mass flow rate sensor  152 ,  172 , or a differential pressure sensor  152 ,  172 . In a representative embodiment, the medical imaging system  100  may be an ultrasound system  100 . 
     Various embodiments provide system for automatically cleaning air filters  140 ,  160  of a medical imaging system  100 . The medical imaging system  100  may comprise a housing  102 , at least one air filter  140 ,  160 , and at least one processor  114 . The housing  102  may comprise at least one air inlet  104 ,  108  and at least one air outlet  106 . The at least one air filter comprise a motor  142 ,  162 , a drive shaft  144 ,  164 , a rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 , a continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168 , and a stationary filter brush  150 ,  170 . The drive shaft  144 ,  164  may be rotatably coupled to the motor  142 ,  162 . The continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  may be coupled to the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and the passive shaft  146 ,  166 . The stationary filter brush  150 ,  170  may be mounted against the continuous belt filter  148 ,  168 . The activation of the motor  142 ,  162  may rotate the drive shaft  144 ,  164  to translate the continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  around and between the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and the rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 , and across the stationary filter brush  150 ,  170 . The at least one processor  114  may be disposed within the housing  102 . The at least one processor  114  may be configured to monitor an air filter operating condition. The at least one processor  114  may be configured to determine that the air filter operating condition is not within a pre-determined threshold. The at least one processor  114  may be configured to provide a control signal to activate the motor  142 ,  162  in response to the air filter operating condition being not within the pre-determined threshold. 
     In a representative embodiment, the medical imaging system  100  may comprise at least one fan  120 ,  134 . The at least one fan  120 ,  134  may be operable to draw air  202 ,  206  into the housing  102  via the at least one air inlet  104 ,  108 . The at least one fan  120 ,  134  may be operable to pass the air  202 ,  206  through the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 . The at least one fan  120 ,  134  may be operable to pass the air  202 ,  206  across electronics  110 ,  130  disposed within the housing  102 . The at least one fan  120 ,  134  may be operable to expel the air  204 ,  208  from the at least one air outlet  106 . In various embodiments, the electronics  110 ,  130  comprise at least one of an alternating current (AC) power box  130 , or medical imaging electronics  112 . In certain embodiments, the air filter operating condition may be an amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. The pre-determined threshold may be a maximum amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging system  100  may comprise a counter  118  configured to track the amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. In a representative embodiment, the air filter operating condition may be at least one of a mass flow rate of air  202 ,  206  passing through the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 , or an air pressure drop between an air inlet side of the at least one air filter  140 ,  160  and an air outlet side of the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 . The threshold may be at least one of a minimum mass flow rate, or a maximum air pressure drop. In various embodiments, the medical imaging system  100  may comprise at least one sensor  152 ,  172  configured to detect the air filter operating condition. In certain embodiment, the at least one sensor  152 ,  172  is one or both of a mass flow rate sensor  152 ,  172 , or a differential pressure sensor  152 ,  172 . In an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging system  100  may be an ultrasound system  100 . 
     Certain embodiments provide a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section. The at least one code section is executable by a machine for causing a medical imaging system  100  to perform steps  300 ,  400 . The steps  300 ,  400  may comprise monitoring  304 ,  404  an air filter operating condition. The steps  300 ,  400  may comprise determining  306 ,  406  that the air filter operating condition is not within a pre-determined threshold. The steps  300 ,  400  may comprise providing  308 ,  408  a control signal to at least one air filter  140 ,  160 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  may comprise a motor  142 ,  162  configured to activate in response to the control signal. The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  may comprise a drive shaft  144 ,  164  rotatably coupled to the motor  142 ,  162 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  may comprise a rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  may comprise a continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  coupled to the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and the passive shaft  146 ,  166 . The at least one air filter  140 ,  160  may comprise a stationary filter brush  150 ,  170  mounted against the continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168 . The motor  142 ,  162 , in response to the control signal, may rotate the drive shaft  144 ,  164  to translate the continuous belt air filter  148 ,  168  around and between the drive shaft  144 ,  164  and the rotatable passive shaft  146 ,  166 , and across the stationary filter brush  150 ,  170 . 
     In various embodiments, the steps  300 ,  400  may comprise tracking  304  an amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. The air filter operating condition may be the amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. The pre-determined threshold may be a maximum amount of time the medical imaging device  100  is powered on. In certain embodiments, the steps  300 ,  400  may comprise receiving  404  the air filter operating condition detected by at least one sensor  152 ,  172 . The air filter operating condition may be at least one of a mass flow rate of air  202 ,  206  passing through the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 , or an air pressure drop between an air inlet side of the at least one air filter  140 ,  160  and an air outlet side of the at least one air filter  140 ,  160 . The threshold may be at least one of a minimum mass flow rate, or a maximum air pressure drop. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging system  100  may be an ultrasound system  100 . 
     As utilized herein the term “circuitry” refers to physical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/or firmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise a first “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and may comprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines of code. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As utilized herein, circuitry is “operable” and/or “configured” to perform a function whenever the circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any is necessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled, or not enabled, by some user-configurable setting. 
     Other embodiments may provide a computer readable device and/or a non-transitory computer readable medium, and/or a machine readable device and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for automatically cleaning air filters of a medical imaging system. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. 
     Various embodiments may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.