Patent ID: 8480591

Claim:
A method for obtaining ultrasound images of a patient, said method utilizing an ultrasound imaging system comprising an image acquisition component configured to provide image data, wherein said image acquisition component comprises a multi-headed probe having a probe body that includes at least first and second transducer heads in the probe body, the first and second transducer heads physically separated from one another within the probe body, a processor configured to assemble images from said image data, and a display configured to display said images, wherein said multi-headed probe is configured to permit a change of active transducer heads during an imaging session without a change of the image acquisition component, said method comprising: positioning the first transducer head against the skin of the patient, while the second transducer head is not positioned against the skin of the patient; activating the first transducer head; acquiring first ultrasound information from the first transducer head during a first scanning period of the imaging session; rotating the probe body until the second transducer head is positioned proximate to the patient; switching activation from the first transducer head to the second transducer head; positioning the second transducer head against the skin of the patient, while the first transducer head is not positioned against the skin of the patient; and acquiring second ultrasound information from the second transducer head during a second scanning period of the imaging session.