Patent Publication Number: US-2017354396-A1

Title: Wireless ultrasound probe adapter

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present specification generally relate to an ultrasound system, and more specifically to a wireless ultrasound probe adapter configured for use with different types of ultrasound probes. 
     Various noninvasive diagnostic imaging modalities are capable of producing cross-sectional images of organs or vessels inside the body. An imaging modality that is well suited for such noninvasive imaging is ultrasound. Ultrasound diagnostic imaging systems are in widespread use by cardiologists, obstetricians, radiologists and others for examining the heart, a developing fetus, internal abdominal organs, and other anatomical structures. These systems operate by transmitting waves of ultrasound energy into the body. The transmitted waves impinge on tissue interfaces resulting in reflection of ultrasound echoes from the tissue interfaces. The reflected ultrasound echoes are then translated into structural representations of portions of the body through which the ultrasound waves are directed. 
     In conventional ultrasound imaging, objects of interest such as internal tissues and blood are scanned using planar ultrasound beams or slices. A linear array transducer, also known as a one-dimensional array, is conventionally used to scan a thin slice by narrowly focusing the transmitted and received ultrasound in an elevated direction and steering the transmitted and received ultrasound throughout a range of angles in an azimuth direction. A transducer having a linear array of transducer elements can operate in this manner to provide a two-dimensional image representing a cross-section through a plane that is perpendicular to a face of the transducer. 
     Linear arrays can also be used to generate three-dimensional images (for example, “volumetric” images), by rotating or translating the one-dimensional array of transducer elements in the elevation direction or by sweeping the array through a range of angles extending in the elevation direction. Volumetric ultrasound images can also be conventionally obtained by using a two-dimensional array transducer to steer the transmitted and received ultrasound about two axes. 
     A conventional ultrasound probe assembly typically includes a system connector, cabling, and a transducer. These conventional ultrasound probes are designed and manufactured for use in specific applications. For example, scanning of different parts of the body calls for use of different types of ultrasound probes. Use of different probes for different applications increases the amount of cabling and electronic circuitry that need to be duplicated in each probe, thereby leading to higher costs for the manufacturer and end user. In addition, the huge volume of cables and the need for carrying multiple bulky probe assemblies restrict the portability of compact systems such as laptop-based ultrasound systems. Furthermore, even though the currently available ultrasound systems are becoming increasingly miniaturized such that the system electronics are integrated inside the probe handle, utilization of the existing conventional probes in a compact, low cost, easily upgradable ultrasound system is a challenging task. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with aspects of the present specification, an ultrasound wireless probe adapter is presented. The ultrasound probe adapter includes a first coupling unit configured to detachably couple the probe adapter to one or more ultrasound probe assemblies, a second coupling unit configured to wirelessly couple the probe adapter to a smart device, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate with the smart device to accept user inputs, generate and transmit one of excitation signals and control and configuration signals to the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies based on the user inputs and a category of the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies to initiate emission of acoustic signals towards a region of interest in a subject, receive echo signals generated by the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies in response to one of the transmitted excitation signals or the transmitted control and configuration signals, and process received beam signals based on a processing capability of the smart device to generate one of partially-processed image data and fully-processed image data, where the received beam signals are generated based on the received echo signals. Furthermore, the probe adapter is configured to wirelessly transmit one of the partially-processed image data and the fully-processed image data to the smart device for generation and display of an image of the region of interest in the subject. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present specification, an ultrasound imaging system is presented. The ultrasound imaging system includes one or more ultrasound probe assemblies, a smart device and an ultrasound wireless probe adapter. The ultrasound wireless probe adapter includes a first coupling unit configured to detachably couple the probe adapter to the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies, a second coupling unit configured to wirelessly couple the probe adapter to the smart device, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate with the smart device to accept user inputs, generate and transmit one of excitation signals and control and configuration signals to the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies based on the user inputs and a category of the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies to initiate emission of acoustic signals towards a region of interest in a subject, receive echo signals generated by the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies in response to the transmitted excitation signals or the transmitted control and configuration signals, and process received beam signals based on a processing capability of the smart device to generate one of partially-processed image data and fully-processed image data, where the received beam signals are generated based on the received echo signals. Furthermore, the probe adapter is configured to wirelessly transmit one of the partially-processed image data and the fully-processed image data to the smart device for generation and display of an image of the region of interest in the subject. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present specification, a method for imaging is presented. The method includes coupling an ultrasound wireless probe adapter to a cable connector of one or more ultrasound probe assemblies, wherein the probe adapter comprises a first coupling unit configured to detachably couple the probe adapter to the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies, a second coupling unit configured to wirelessly couple the probe adapter to a smart device, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate with the smart device to accept user inputs, generate and transmit one of excitation signals and control and configuration signals to the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies based on the user inputs and a category of the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies to initiate emission of acoustic signals towards a region of interest in a subject, receive echo signals generated by the one or more ultrasound probe assemblies in response to the transmitted excitation signals or the transmitted control and configuration signals, process received beam signals based on a processing capability of the smart device to generate one of partially-processed image data and fully-processed image data, where the received beam signals are generated based on the received echo signals, wirelessly coupling the probe adapter to the smart device via the second coupling unit, authorizing a user of the probe adapter, generating an image based on one of the partially-processed image data and the fully-processed image data, and displaying the image on the smart device. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and aspects of embodiments of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for imaging a region of interest in a subject using an exemplary wireless probe adapter, in accordance with aspects of the present specification; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one embodiment of the wireless probe adapter for use in the system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with aspects of the present specification; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a smart device for use in the imaging system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method for imaging a region of interest in a subject using the system of  FIG. 1  having the wireless ultrasound probe adapter of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with aspects of the present specification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term “or” is meant to be inclusive and mean one, some, or all of the listed items. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “control system” or “controller” may include either a single component or a plurality of components, which are either active and/or passive and are connected or otherwise coupled together to provide the described function or functions. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of a system  100  for imaging a region of interest (ROI) in a subject  102 , in accordance with aspects of the present specification. The subject  102 , for example, may be a patient or an object. In a presently contemplated configuration, the system  100  is an ultrasound imaging system. The system  100  includes an ultrasound probe assembly  104 , an exemplary ultrasound wireless probe adapter  106 , and a smart device  108 . The ultrasound probe assembly  104  may be operatively coupled to the probe adapter  106 . In addition, the probe adapter  106  may be wirelessly coupled to the smart device  108 . It may be noted that the terms ultrasound wireless probe adapter, wireless probe adapter, and probe adapter may be used interchangeably. 
     The ultrasound probe assembly  104  includes a probe  110 , a cable  112 , and a cable connector  114 . By way of a non-limiting example, the probe  110  may include a linear array ultrasound probe, a phased array ultrasound probe, a convex array ultrasound probe, and the like. The probe  110  is coupled to the cable connector  114  via the cable  112 . For example, a first end  115  of the cable  112  is coupled to the probe  110 , and a second end  117  of the cable  112  is coupled to the cable connector  114 . 
     As previously noted, the system  100  also includes the probe adapter  106 . The probe adapter  106  is characterized by a portable and compact size. In certain embodiments, a size of the probe adapter  106  is equal to a size of the cable connector  114 . It may be noted that for ease of illustration, in  FIG. 1 , the size of the probe adapter  106  is depicted as being larger than the size of the cable connector  114 . 
     The probe adapter  106  is configured to be detachably couplable to one or more ultrasound probe assemblies. In the presently contemplated configuration, the probe adapter  106  is shown as being operatively coupled to the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . The ultrasound probe assembly  104  may be a conventional wired probe assembly. As used herein, the phrase “wired ultrasound probe assembly” refers to an ultrasound probe assembly that entails use of a wired connection with an ultrasound console or a smart device for functioning of the ultrasound probe assembly. The exemplary probe adapter  106  is configured to convert conventional wired probe assemblies to wireless probe assemblies. Accordingly, operatively coupling the probe adapter  106  to the wired ultrasound probe assembly  104  converts the wired ultrasound probe assembly  104  to a wireless ultrasound probe assembly  104 . As used herein, the phrase “wireless ultrasound probe assembly” refers to an ultrasound probe assembly that does not entail use of a wired connection to an ultrasound console or a smart device for functioning. Consequent to the use of the probe adapter  106 , the ultrasound probe assembly  104  is wirelessly coupled to the ultrasound console or the smart device  108 . 
     In accordance with further aspects of the present specification, the functioning of the probe adapter  106  may be configurable based on a category of ultrasound probe  110  being used. In particular, the functioning of the probe adapter  106  may be adapted based on processing capabilities of the ultrasound probe  110  being used. As will be appreciated, in certain scenarios, sophisticated ultrasound probes may include active transmit/receive (TX/RX) electronics in the probe handle. However, some conventional ultrasound probes may not include active TX/RX electronics in the probe handle. Accordingly, in one exemplary embodiment, the probe adapter  106  includes hardware and/or software that are essential for ultrasound imaging. In particular, the probe adapter  106  may include circuitry for enabling transmission, reception, and/or processing of ultrasound signals. In certain embodiments, the probe adapter  106  may be configured to perform the functions that are traditionally performed by the TX/RX electronics. 
     As will be appreciated, there exist different categories of ultrasound probe assemblies. The ultrasound probe assembly  104  may be categorized based on a function, size, shape, application, presence or absence of TX/RX electronics and/or technology of the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . By way of a non-limiting example, the different categories of ultrasound probe assemblies may include a linear array ultrasound probe assembly, a phased array ultrasound probe assembly, a convex array ultrasound probe assembly, and the like. Another category of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  may be differentiated based on a presence or absence of the TX/RX electronics in the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . In accordance with aspects of the present specification, the probe adapter  106  may be configured to be used with these different categories of ultrasound probe assemblies to enable these ultrasound probe assemblies to operate as wireless ultrasound probe assemblies. 
     Additionally, in accordance with further aspects of the present specification, a desired amount of processing by the probe adapter  106  of signals received from the ultrasound probe assembly  104  may be determined based on a processing capability of the smart device  108  being used. By way of example, use of a smart device  108  having a higher performance/processing capability may allow a faster processing of the signals/data by the smart device  108 , thereby resulting in higher frame rates. In this scenario, the choice of whether to perform the image processing via use of the wireless probe adapter  106  or the smart device  108  is dependent on the relative performance of the smart device  108  and the probe adapter  106 . Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the probe adapter  106  may be configured to compare the performance of image processors in each of the probe adapter  106  and the smart device  108 . 
     More particularly, the probe adapter  106  may further be configured to reorganize/split the tasks to be performed to optimize the performance of the system  100 . For example, based on the comparison if it is determined that the processing capability of the probe adapter  106  is better than that of the smart device  108 , then the received signals may be fully processed by the probe adapter  106  to generate fully-processed image data representative of an image. Furthermore, the fully-processed image data is communicated to the smart device  108  for display. However, based on the comparison, if it is determined that the processing capability of the probe adapter  106  is lower than that of the smart device  108 , then the received signals may be partially processed by the probe adapter  106  and partially-processed image data may be communicated to the smart device  108 . In this scenario, the smart device  108  may be configured to further process the partially-processed image data to generate an image for display. 
     In accordance with further aspects of the present specification, the probe adapter  106  may include hardware and/or software that are essential for ultrasound imaging. In particular, the probe adapter  106  may include circuitry for enabling transmission, reception, and/or processing of ultrasound signals. In one embodiment, the probe adapter  106  includes a first coupling unit  116 , a second coupling unit  130 , and a microcontroller unit  118  or a microcontroller  118 . The first coupling unit  116  is configured to detachably couple the probe adapter  106  to the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . Additionally, the first coupling unit  116  may also be configured to facilitate coupling the probe adapter  106  to the different categories of ultrasound probe assemblies. The first coupling unit  116 , for example, may be an electrical connector, such as a male connector, a female connector, and the like. 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, the cable connector  114  of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  may be selected based on a type of the first coupling unit  116 . Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the first coupling unit  116  may be selected to enable coupling the probe adapter  106  to a given cable connector  114 . By way of example, if the first coupling unit  116  is a male type of connector, then a female type of connector may be used as the cable connector  114 . In a similar fashion, a female type of connector may be employed as the first coupling unit  116  if the cable connector  114  is a male type of connector. 
     As noted hereinabove, the probe adapter  106  includes the microcontroller unit or microcontroller  118 . The microcontroller  118  is operatively coupled to the first coupling unit  116 . Also, the microcontroller  118  wirelessly communicates with the smart device  108  via a wireless network  132  established by the second coupling unit  130  of the probe adapter  106 . In one example, the microcontroller  118  is configured to wirelessly communicate with the smart device  108  to accept user inputs  119 . It may be noted that the user inputs  119  may be used to control operation of the probe adapter  106  and the probe assembly  104 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the microcontroller  118  may be an integrated chip, a chip scale package, and the like. 
     During a transmit operation, the microcontroller  118  is configured to perform at least one of transmitting data/information and/or controls and generating and transmitting control and configuration signals or excitation signals to array elements of the probe  110  for transmit beam formation. In a similar manner, during a receive operation, the microcontroller  118  is configured to perform at least one of filtering, amplifying, compensating for attenuation, digitizing an echo voltage stream, receiving data and/or information from the ultrasound probe assembly  104 , and forming the receive beam. 
     As noted hereinabove, the operation of the probe adapter  106  may be adapted based on the category/type of ultrasound probe assembly  104 . In particular, the microcontroller  204  may be configured to generate excitation signals  120  or control and configuration signals  121  based on at least one of a configuration or processing capability of the ultrasound probe assembly  104 , the user inputs  119 , and the category of the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . More specifically, the microcontroller  118  is configured to adapt the operation of the probe adapter  106  based on the category of the ultrasound probe assembly, the configuration or processing capability of the ultrasound probe assembly, and a type of imaging requested by a user of the smart device  108 . For example, if the ultrasound probe assembly  104  does not include active TX/RX electronics, the microcontroller  118  is configured to generate the excitation signals  120 . Additionally, the microcontroller  118  is configured to transmit these excitation signals  120  directly to transducer array elements in the probe  110 . Moreover, the excitation signals  120  merely excite the transducer array elements of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  resulting in generation of acoustic signals  122 . Accordingly, in this example, the probe adapter  106  is capable of performing the functions of the active TX/RX electronics. 
     In other embodiments, if the ultrasound probe assembly  104  includes active TX/RX electronics, then the TX/RX electronics in the probe adapter  106  is bypassed, and the microcontroller  118  is configured to generate and transmit control and configuration signals  121  to the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . By way of a non-limiting example, the control and configuration signals  121  may include information related to a frequency, pulse repetition frequency, coding of the acoustic signals  122 , an amplitude of the acoustic signals  122 , a duration of the acoustic signals  122 , timing of the excitation of the transducer array elements of the probe assembly  104 , or combinations thereof. 
     In response to the receipt of the excitation signals  120  or the control and configuration signals  121  from the microcontroller  118 , the ultrasound probe assembly  104  emits the acoustic signals  122  towards the ROI in the subject  102 . Once the acoustic signals  122  impinge on the ROI, at least a portion of the acoustic signals  122  are reflected by the ROI resulting in generation of echo signals  124 . The echo signals  124  are received by the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . Furthermore, the ultrasound probe assembly  104  may transmit the echo signals  124  to the microcontroller  118 . Accordingly, the microcontroller  118  receives the echo signals  124  generated in response to the transmitted control and configuration signals  121  or the excitation signals  120  from the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . 
     In accordance with aspects of the present specification, the probe adapter  106  is configured to generate received beam signals (not shown) based on the received echo signals  124 . As noted hereinabove, the probe adapter  106  and the microcontroller  118  in particular may be configured to determine the desired amount/nature of processing of the beam signals received from the ultrasound probe assembly  104  based on the processing capability of the smart device  108 . In one embodiment, if the processing capability of the microcontroller  118  is better than that of the smart device  108 , the microcontroller  118  is configured to process the received beam signals to generate fully-processed image data  126 . The fully-processed image data  126  is representative of an image of the ROI in the subject  102 . However, if the processing capability of the smart device  108  is better than that of the probe adapter  106 , the microcontroller  118  may only partially process the received beam signals to generate partially-processed image data  128 . The partially-processed image data  128  may be subsequently processed by the smart device  108  to generate the image of the ROI in the subject  102 . It may be noted that use of the partially-processed image data  128  for generating an image of the ROI in the subject  102  may entail further processing prior to use in the generation of the image of the ROI in the subject  102 . 
     As previously noted, the probe adapter  106  also includes the second coupling unit  130 . The second coupling unit  130  is operatively coupled to the microcontroller  118 . By way of a non-limiting example, the second coupling unit  130  may be a wireless adapter. The second coupling unit  130  is configured to wirelessly couple the probe adapter  106  to the smart device  108 . The wireless coupling of the probe adapter  106  to the smart device  108  enables the probe adapter  106  to wirelessly communicate with the smart device  108 . The wireless communication between the probe adapter  106  and the smart device  108  may include transmission of the partially-processed image data  128  or the fully-processed image data  126 . 
     Moreover, as previously noted, the system  100  further includes the smart device  108 . The smart device  108 , for example, may be a processing device, a smart mobile phone, a laptop, a personal computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant, and the like. The smart device  108  may serve as a user interface to allow a clinician/user to enter the user inputs  119 . In addition, the smart device  108  may also provide ability to display an image and/or image data. 
     The probe adapter  106  is configured to wirelessly couple the otherwise wired ultrasound probe assembly  104  to the smart device  108 . In one example, the probe adapter  106  may be configured to wirelessly couple the ultrasound probe assembly  104  to the smart device  108  via the wireless network  132 . Also, in one embodiment, the smart device  108  may be configured to transmit inputs and controls to the probe adapter  106  via the wireless network  132 . Additionally, the smart device  108  may be configured to transfer inputs, data, information, and/or controls over the wireless network  132  via the probe adapter  106  to the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . Furthermore, the smart device  108  may receive information and data over the wireless network  132  from the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . 
     In certain embodiments, the smart device  108  may be configured to receive the partially-processed image data  128  from the probe adapter  106 . In this example, the smart device  108  may be configured to process the partially-processed image data  128  to generate an image of the ROI in the subject  102 . In another embodiment, the smart device  108  may be configured to receive the fully-processed image data  126  from the probe adapter  106 . In this example, the smart device  108  may be configured to display the image based on the fully-processed image data received from the probe adapter  106 . The smart device  108  will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     Implementing the wireless probe adapter  106  that may be coupled to the cable connector  114  of a conventional ultrasound probe assembly  104  as described hereinabove allows for wireless operation of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  in conjunction with the smart device  108 . The probe adapter  106  may provide a cost-effective solution to upgrade a huge installed base of existing conventional probes to a wireless (untethered), compact, low cost, and easily upgradable ultrasound imaging system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of one embodiment of a probe adapter  200  for use in the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with aspects of the present specification, is presented. The probe adapter  200 , for example may be the probe adapter  106  of  FIG. 1 . As previously noted with reference to  FIG. 1 , the probe adapter  106  includes the first coupling unit  116 , the microcontroller  118 , and the second coupling unit  130 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the wireless probe adapter  200  is shown as including a first coupling unit  202 , a microcontroller unit or microcontroller  204 , and a second coupling unit  234 . In one embodiment, the first coupling unit  202 , the microcontroller  204 , and the second coupling unit  234  may be respectively representative of the first coupling unit  116 , the microcontroller  118 , and the second coupling unit  130  of  FIG. 1 . Although for ease of illustration  FIG. 2  depicts various components of the probe adapter  200 , it may be noted that the probe adapter  200  and the microcontroller  204  may have additional or fewer components, and the flow of information and signals between the components may vary in comparison to the flow of information and signals described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     The first coupling unit  202  may be configured to detachably couple the probe adapter  200  to an ultrasound probe assembly (not shown), such as the ultrasound probe assembly  104  of  FIG. 1 . Also, the first coupling unit  202  may be configured to couple the probe adapter  200  to different types/categories of ultrasound probe assemblies. 
     As previously noted, the probe adapter  200  additionally includes the microcontroller  204 . It may be noted that a single component of the microcontroller  204  may perform functions of multiple components, and hence this single component may be used to replace the multiple components of the probe adapter  200 . In a presently contemplated configuration, the microcontroller  204  includes a control unit  206 , a transmit beamforming unit  208 , a transmit amplifier  210 , a transmit/receive switch  212 , a receive amplifier  214 , a time gain compensation amplifier  216 , an analog to digital (ADC) converter  218 , a receive beamforming unit  220 , and an image processor  222 . Each of the control unit  206  and the image processor  222  may include an integrated chip, at least one arithmetic logic unit, and/or a microprocessor configured to perform computations, and/or retrieve data stored in memory. It may be noted that although the microcontroller  204  is depicted as having the transmit beamforming unit  208  and the receive beamforming unit  220 , in certain embodiments, the function of both the transmit and receive beamforming units  208 ,  220  may be performed by a single beamforming unit. 
     In the presently contemplated configuration, the control unit  206  is operatively coupled to the transmit beamforming unit  208 . The control unit  206  wirelessly communicates with the smart device  108  in order to accept user inputs  119 . Based on the user inputs  119 , the control unit  206  may generate and transmit command data to the transmit beamforming unit  208 . The transmit command data in turn may be used for generating excitation signals  211 . Moreover, the excitation signals  211  are employed to generate acoustic signals of a desired shape and direction. 
     The transmit beamforming unit  208  receives commands from the control unit  206  and generates the excitation signals  211 . The excitation signals  211  are used to excite the transducer array elements of the ultrasound probe assembly in order to generate the acoustic signals of the desired shape and direction. The transmit beamforming unit  208  may be operatively coupled to the transmit amplifier  210 . The transmit amplifier  210  amplifies the excitation signals  211  to generate signals of a desired voltage. Additionally, the transmit amplifier  210  transmits the amplified excitation signals  211  via the transmit/receive switch  212  and the first coupling unit  202  to an ultrasound probe assembly (not shown) coupled to the probe adapter  200 . 
     For ease of explanation, in the example of  FIG. 2 , it is assumed that the ultrasound probe assembly coupled to the probe adapter  200  does not include active TX/RX electronics and hence the probe adapter  200  is configured to generate and transmit the excitation signals  211 . Accordingly, the probe adapter  200  is configured to perform the functions that are otherwise performed by the active TX/RX electronics in the ultrasound probe assembly. However, if the ultrasound probe assembly coupled to the probe adapter  200  includes active TX/RX electronics, then the probe adapter  200  may not be required to perform the operations typically performed by the active TX/RX electronics. Additionally, in this example, the probe adapter  200  is configured to generate and transmit control and configuration signals to the ultrasound probe assembly. 
     The transmission of the excitation signals  211  or the control and configuration signals results in transmission of acoustic signals (not shown) towards a subject/patient (not shown). The acoustic signals are backscattered off tissue and blood samples within the patient to generate echo signals  213 . The echo signals  213  are received by the microcontroller  204  from the ultrasound probe assembly. Particularly, the echo signals  213  are received by the receive amplifier  214  via the first coupling unit  202  and the transmit/receive switch  212  in the microcontroller  204 . The receive amplifier  214  amplifies the echo signals  213 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the receive amplifier  214  is operatively coupled to the time gain compensation amplifier  216 . The time gain compensation amplifier  216  amplifies the echo signals  213  to compensate for attenuation in the patient&#39;s tissue. Further, the time gain compensation amplifier  216  is operatively coupled to the ADC converter  218  that digitizes the echo signals  213 . The digitized echo signals  213  are thereafter transmitted to the receive beamforming unit  220 . 
     The digitized echo signals  213  are received by the receive beamforming unit  220 . The receive beamforming unit  220  uses command data received from the control unit  206  to form a received beam at a desired steering angle. In particular, the receive beamforming unit  220  operates on the digitized echo signals  213  via use of filtering, directing, focusing, and/or apodizing in accordance with the instructions of the command data from the control unit  206  to generate received beam signals  215 . The received beam signals  215  are representative of the received beam corresponding to sample volumes along a scan line within the patient. Information such as phase, amplitude, and timing information of the received echo signals  213  from various transducer elements in the ultrasound probe assembly are used to generate the received beam signals  215 . 
     The receive beamforming unit  220  is in turn operatively coupled to the image processor  222 . The image processor  222  may receive the received beam signals  215  from the receive beamforming unit  220 . In certain embodiments, the image processor  222  may be operatively coupled to a smart device (not shown), such as the smart device  108  of  FIG. 1 . The image processor  222  may be configured to process the received beam signals  215 . Particularly, the image processor  222  may be configured to fully or partially process the received beam signals  215  based on a processing capability of the smart device. In one embodiment, at least one of the probe adapter  200 , the image processor  222 , and the smart device may be configured to determine a desired amount of processing of the received beam signals  215  by the image processor  222  based on a comparison of the processing capabilities of the probe adapter  200  and the smart device. By way of example, at least one of the probe adapter  200 , the image processor  222 , and the smart device may select between the partial processing and full processing of the received beam signals  215  by the image processor  222  based on a comparison of a processing capability of the image processor  222  with the processing capability of the smart device. 
     In one embodiment, the image processor  222  is configured to partially process the received beam signals  215  to generate partially-processed image data  224  based on the processing capability of the smart device. For example, if the processing capability of the smart device is substantially faster than a processing capability of the probe adapter  200  or the image processor  222 , then the image processor  222  may partially process the received beam signals  215  to generate the partially-processed image data  224 . The partially-processed image data  224  may not be representative of an image, and hence may necessitate further processing prior to use in the generation of an image of an ROI in the patient. The smart device may subsequently process the partially-processed image data  224  to generate an image (not shown) for display. 
     Alternatively, based again on the processing capability of the smart device the image processor  222  may also be configured to fully process the received beam signals  215  to generate fully-processed image data  226 . The fully-processed image data  226  is representative of the image of the ROI in the patient. For example, if the processing capability of the smart device is worse than the processing capability of the image processor  222  or the smart device is incapable of processing the received beam signals  215 , then the image processor  222  may fully process the received beam signals  215  to generate the fully-processed image data  226 . Fully processing the received beam signals  215  may include scan conversion to reformat the received beam signals  215  into image form, pre-processing (for example, spatial compounding and 3D processing), storing image frames, post-processing into gray or color scales, and the like. The fully-processed image data  226  is representative of an image of the ROI in the patient. 
     In accordance with further aspects of the present specification, the microcontroller  204  also includes a digital identification unit  230  configured to authorize a user of the probe adapter  200 . By way of example, the digital identification unit  230  may require the user of the probe adapter  200  to provide an input such as a unique password and/or biometric data to authenticate the user prior to allowing usage of the probe adapter  200 . 
     In certain embodiments, the microcontroller  204  may also include a thermal management unit  228  configured to manage a temperature of the probe adapter  200 . Additionally, the microcontroller  204  may include a power supply unit  232  configured to supply electric power to the probe adapter  200 . In one embodiment, the power supply unit  232  may be a battery. In one example, the power supply unit  232  may be a rechargeable battery. 
     Furthermore, the probe adapter  200  includes the second coupling unit  234  operatively coupled to the microcontroller  204 . The second coupling unit  234  is configured to wirelessly couple the probe adapter  200  to the smart device. The second coupling unit  234 , for example, may be a wireless adapter. The wireless coupling of the probe adapter  200  to the smart device enables wireless transmission of portions of the partially-processed image data  224  and/or the fully-processed image data  226  from the probe adapter  200  to the smart device for generation and/or display of an image of the ROI in the patient. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram of a smart device  300  for use in the imaging system  100  of  FIG. 1  is presented. The smart device  300 , for example, may be a processing device, a smart mobile phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, and the like. The smart device  300 , for example may be the smart device  108  of  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, the smart device  300  includes a user interface  302  configured to enable a user to enter user inputs and/or controls  304 . The user inputs, for example may be the user inputs  119 . These inputs and/or controls  304  may be communicated to a probe adapter that is wirelessly coupled to the smart device  300 . The inputs and/or controls  304 , for example, may include details regarding a ROI in a subject to be scanned, details of the subject, preference(s) of the user, controls required for initiation and execution of imaging, and the like. 
     The smart device  300  additionally includes a transmitter  306  operatively coupled to the user interface  302  and configured to receive the user inputs and/or controls  304  from the user interface  302 . The transmitter  306  is configured to wirelessly transmit the user inputs and/or controls  304  to the probe adapter coupled to the smart device  300 . 
     Moreover, the smart device  300  further includes a wireless receiver  308 . In one embodiment, the receiver  308  may receive partially-processed image data from the probe adapter. In another embodiment, the receiver  308  may receive fully processed image data representative of an image of the ROI in the subject from the probe adapter. Furthermore, the partially-processed image data may be the partially-processed image data  224  and the fully-processed image data may be the fully-processed image data  226  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The smart device  300  additionally includes a processing subsystem  310  operatively coupled to the receiver  308 . In one embodiment, the processing subsystem  310  is configured to receive the partially-processed image data from the receiver  308 . Additionally, the processing subsystem  310  is configured to process the partially-processed image data to generate an image of the ROI in the subject. In another embodiment, the processing subsystem  310  is configured to receive the fully-processed image data representative of the image of the ROI in the subject from the receiver  308 . 
     Further, the smart device  300  includes a display device  312  operatively coupled to the processing subsystem  310 . The display device  312  is configured to receive the image from the processing subsystem  310 , and display the image. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method  400  of imaging using the exemplary wireless ultrasound probe adapter  106  (see  FIG. 1 ), in accordance with aspects of the present specification. The method  400  of  FIG. 4  may be described with reference to the components of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     As previously noted with reference to  FIG. 1 , the wireless probe adapter  106  includes the first coupling unit  116 , the microcontroller  118 , and the second coupling unit  130 . At block  402 , an ultrasound probe adapter such as the wireless probe adapter  106  may be coupled to the cable connector  114  of the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . Particularly, the first coupling unit  116  of the probe adapter  106  may be detachably coupled to the cable connector  114  of the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . As previously noted, the probe adapter  106  is designed to be detachably couplable to one or more categories of ultrasound probe assemblies. 
     Subsequently, at block  404 , the probe adapter  106  may be wirelessly coupled to a smart device. The smart device, for example may be the smart device  108 ,  300 . The probe adapter  106 , for example, may be wirelessly coupled to the smart device  108  via the second coupling unit  130  of the probe adapter  106 . Furthermore, in accordance with aspects of the present specification, it may be desirable to authenticate and/or authorize a user of the probe adapter, as indicated by block  406 . In one embodiment, the probe adapter  106  may be configured to authenticate credentials of the user via a password, biometrics, and the like. Once the credentials of the user are authenticated, the user may be allowed to use the wireless probe adapter  106 . 
     At block  408 , inputs may be entered by a user. As previously noted, the user inputs may be used to control operation of the probe adapter  106  and/or the probe assembly  104 . 
     Subsequently, at block  410 , a category of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  may be identified. The category of the ultrasound probe assembly  104 , for example, may be determined based on a presence or absence of active TX/RX electronics in the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . Although in the example of  FIG. 4 , block  410  is shown as a separate step/block, it may be noted that in certain embodiments, block  410  may be automatically performed subsequent to the coupling of the probe adapter  106  to the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . 
     Moreover, at block  412 , the probe adapter  106  may generate and transmit control and configuration signals  121  or excitation signals  120  based on the user inputs (see block  408 ) and the identified category of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  (see block  410 ). For example, if the category of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  is identified as including the active TX/RX electronics, then the probe adapter  106  generates the control and configuration signals  121 . Similarly, when the category of the ultrasound probe assembly  104  is identified as not including the transmit/receive (TX/RX) electronics, the probe adapter  106  generates the excitation signals  120 . 
     Further, the wireless coupling of the probe adapter  106  to the smart device  108  and authorization of the user enables the probe adapter  106  to transmit the control and configuration signals  121  or the excitation signals  120  to the ultrasound probe assembly  104  to initiate emission of the acoustic signals  122  towards a region of interest in the subject  102 . The emission of the acoustic signals  122  results in generation of echo signals  124 ,  213 . At block  414 , the echo signals  124 ,  213  may be received by the probe adapter  106  from the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . Subsequently, at block  416 , received beam signals  215  may be generated based on the received echo signals  213 . The received beam signals  215 , for example, may be generated by the receive beamforming unit  220  of the probe adapter  200 . 
     Subsequently, at block  418 , the received beam signals  215  may be processed by the probe adapter  106  based on a processing capability of the smart device  108 . In accordance with aspects of the present specification, the probe adapter  106  is configured to partially process or fully process the received beam signals  215  to respectively generate partially-processed image data  224  or fully-processed data  226  based on the processing capability of the smart device  108 . More particularly, if the processing capability of the smart device  108  is substantially faster than the processing capability of the probe adapter  106 , then the probe adapter  106  is configured to partially process the received beam signals  215  to generate the partially-processed image data  224 . Alternatively, if the processing capability of the smart device  108  is either lower than the processing capability of the image processor  222  or the smart device  108  is incapable of processing the received beam signals  215 , then the probe adapter  106  is configured to fully process the received beam signals  215  to generate the fully-processed image data  226 . As previously noted, the fully-processed image data  226  is representative of the image. 
     Subsequently, at block  420 , the fully-processed image data  226  or the partially-processed image data  224  may be transmitted to the smart device  108 . In one embodiment, the smart device  108  may further process the partially-processed image data  224  to generate the image (not shown) for display. In another embodiment, the smart device  108  may generate the image based on the fully-processed image data  226 . In addition, at block  422 , the image of may be visualized on a display device of the smart device  108 . The image may be used by a clinician to evaluate a condition of the subject, provide a diagnosis, and/or track progression of a disease state in the subject. In certain embodiments, the image may be communicated to a clinician at a remote location. 
     In accordance with further aspects of the present specification, a kit for imaging is presented. Such a kit may include an ultrasound wireless probe adapter, such as the exemplary ultrasound wireless probe adapter  106  of  FIG. 1 . As will be appreciated, currently, there exists a huge installed base of existing conventional wired/tethered probes. The kit including the probe adapter  106  may be employed to provide a cost-effective solution to upgrade the huge installed base of existing conventional probes to a wireless (untethered) and compact ultrasound probe/probe assembly. In particular, the probe adapter  106  may be retrofit to currently existing tethered ultrasound probes to upgrade these probes to wireless probes in a simple and cost-effective manner. 
     As previously noted, the probe adapter  106  includes the first coupling unit  116 , the microcontroller  118 , and the second coupling unit  130 . The first coupling unit  116  is configured to aid in detachably coupling the probe adapter to an ultrasound probe assembly, such as the ultrasound probe assembly  104 . The microcontroller  118  is operatively coupled to the first coupling unit  116  and configured to transmit control and configuration signals or excitation signals to the ultrasound probe assembly  104  to initiate emission of acoustic signals towards an ROI in a subject. The microcontroller  118  is additionally configured to receive echo signals generated in response to the transmitted control and configuration signals or the excitation signals from the ultrasound probe assemblies and perform one of partial processing and full processing of the echo signals generate one of partially-processed image data or fully-processed image data. 
     Furthermore, the second coupling unit  130  is operatively coupled to the microcontroller  118  and configured to wirelessly couple the probe adapter  106  to a smart device, such as the smart device  108 . The second coupling unit  130  aids the probe adapter  106  in transmitting portions of the partially-processed image data and/or the fully-processed image data to the smart device  108  for generation and/or display of an image of the ROI in the subject. 
     Furthermore, the foregoing examples, demonstrations, and process steps such as those that may be performed by the system may be implemented by suitable code on a processor-based system, such as a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. It should also be noted that different implementations of the present technique may perform some or all of the steps described herein in different orders or substantially concurrently, that is, in parallel. Furthermore, the functions may be implemented in a variety of programming languages, including but not limited to C++ or Java. Such code may be stored or adapted for storage on one or more tangible, machine readable media, such as on data repository chips, local or remote hard disks, optical disks (that is, CDs or DVDs), memory or other media, which may be accessed by a processor-based system to execute the stored code. Note that the tangible media may comprise paper or another suitable medium upon which the instructions are printed. For instance, the instructions may be electronically captured via optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in the data repository or memory. 
     Various embodiments of a wireless probe adapter are presented. The ultrasound wireless probe adapter is configured to convert a conventional, wired ultrasound probe assembly to a wireless ultrasound probe assembly. Particularly, operatively coupling the ultrasound wireless probe adapter to a wired ultrasound probe assembly enables wireless coupling of the ultrasound wireless probe adapter and the wired ultrasound probe assembly to a smart device. The probe adapter provides a cost-effective solution to upgrade a huge installed base of existing conventional probes to a wireless (untethered), compact, low cost, and easily upgradable ultrasound imaging system. 
     Additionally, use of the wireless adapter may allow for extended battery life and improved thermal performance compared to digital probes since the system electronics are housed in the wireless adapter (away from the patient) rather than inside the ultrasound probe. The exemplary wireless probe adapter leverages the ubiquitous presence of the smart devices to provide a compact, cost-effective, and easy to transport imaging system. Furthermore, the probe adapter includes intelligence to enable the probe adapter to choose whether the probe adapter needs to partially process received beam signals to generate partially-processed image data or fully process the received beam signals to generate fully-processed image data based on a processing capability of the smart device. 
     Moreover, the probe adapter is capable of operating with different categories of ultrasound probe assemblies. For example, if an ultrasound probe assembly coupled to the probe adapter does not include transmit/receive electronics, then the probe adapter may perform the functions of the transmit/receive electronics not present in the ultrasound probe assembly. However, if the ultrasound probe assembly coupled to the probe adapter includes transmit/receive electronics, then the probe adapter may bypass performing the functions of the transmit/receive electronics present in the ultrasound probe assembly. 
     While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.