ULTRASOUND DEVICE AND METHOD OF ASSESSING A BONE OF A SUBJECT

摘要

An embodiment of this invention provides an ultrasound device and a method of assessing a bone of a subject. The ultrasound device assesses a bone of a subject in at least two modes comprising a first mode and a second mode. The ultrasound device comprises: a selecting unit configured to select a mode from the at least two modes; a first ultrasound probe configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to the bone; a second ultrasound probe configured to receive the ultrasound signal from the bone; an assessing unit configured to derive a first parameter indicating one or more characteristics of the bone based on the selected mode and the ultrasound signal received by the second ultrasound probe; and a coupler for coupling the first ultrasound probe and the second ultrasound probe, the coupler being configured to be switched to a first configuration in the first mode and to a second configuration in the second mode. A face of the first ultrasound probe and a face of the second ultrasound probe are oriented in substantially a same direction in the first configuration, and in substantially an opposite direction in the second configuration. An embodiment of this invention improves the flexibility of usage of the ultrasound assessment device.

主权项

1. An ultrasound device for assessing a bone of a subject in at least two modes comprising a first mode and a second mode, comprising:
a selecting unit configured to select a mode from the at least two modes; a first ultrasound probe having a first face to be brought into contact with skin of the subject and configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to the bone; a second ultrasound probe having a second face to be brought into contact with skin of the subject and configured to receive the ultrasound signal from the bone; an assessing unit configured to derive a first parameter indicating one or more characteristics of the bone based on the selected mode and the ultrasound signal received by the second ultrasound probe in the first mode or in the second mode; and a coupler for coupling the first ultrasound probe and the second ultrasound probe), the coupler being configured to be switched to a first configuration in the first mode and to a second configuration in the second mode; wherein the first face and the second face are oriented in substantially a same direction in the first configuration, and in substantially an opposite direction in the second configuration.