Patent ID: 7978461

Claim:
An ultrasound system, said ultrasound system comprising: a housing having a front portion configured to hold an ultrasound display; and an exoskeletal member attached to said housing, said exoskeletal member configured to at least partially frame said housing and provide external protection from mechanical impacts of said housing, wherein said housing is at least partially within said exoskeletal member and said exoskeletal member is adapted to provide structural support at weak points of said housing; wherein the ultrasound system comprising a bottom portion bounded on at least three sides by said exoskeletal member, said bottom portion extending at an angle in front of a plane defined by said front portion, said bottom portion configured to hold one or more user interface controls; wherein the ultrasound system comprising a top portion bounded on at least three sides by said exoskeletal member, said top portion forming a handle, extending at an angle behind a plane defined by said front portion; and wherein said exoskeletal member further comprises a hinge to facilitate movement of said exoskeletal member.