Patent ID: 8535230

Claim:
An ultrasound device, comprising: a robotic arm; an ultrasound transducer configured to be moved along an object to be examined, the ultrasound transducer arranged on the robotic arm which freely moves in space, and wherein the robotic arm includes a joint connection and a sensor, wherein the sensor detects forces acting on the joint connection and provides position, path and angle information for controlling the robotic arm; a display device for displaying a plurality of examination areas each assigned to a control curve that defines an optimally predetermined movement path for the ultrasound transducer for taking an optimal ultrasound image related to a respective examination area; a selection device for selecting a desired examination area to be examined from the plurality of examination areas; a control device for controlling movement of the robotic arm, the control device communicating with the ultrasound transducer, controlling a transmit and receive mode of the ultrasound transducer and processing ultrasound signals received from the ultrasound transducer, wherein the control device includes a memory device for storing a plurality of control curves, wherein the control device loads a corresponding control curve related to the desired examination area for moving the ultrasound transducer via the robotic arm, wherein when an unacceptable force level due to contact between the ultrasound transducer and the object is detected by the sensor the control device adjusts a corresponding control curve to reduce the force to an acceptable level; and a safety clutch located on the robotic arm for stopping an arm movement of the robotic arm to prevent the unacceptable force level exerted by the ultrasound transducer on the object if the unacceptable force level is detected.