Ultrasound imaging system and method

Abstract

A system and method are provided for increasing the operating time and / or standby time of an ultrasound imaging system by reducing the power consumed when the ultrasound imaging system is not imaging tissue, has not been moved for a period of time, or the transducer is overheating more than acceptable. The ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to operate the system in a normal operating state and two or more lower power states. The processor reduces the operating power state to a lower power state upon detecting one or more operating conditions, such as failure to image tissue within a predetermined time limit or failure to move the imaging system or transducer within a time limit. When restarting from a powered-down state, the processor executes the lower power state before operating in the normal operating state to avoid wasting power until the transducer is positioned to image tissue.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging systems, and more particularly to a system for conserving power in an ultrasound imaging system. [Background technology]

[0002] As the processing power of integrated circuits increases, medical devices in general, and ultrasound imaging systems in particular, have become smaller and more portable. Ultrasound imaging systems are now small enough to be easily carried and powered by rechargeable batteries. Despite advances in battery technology, there is a constant need to reduce the power consumption of such devices to increase operating and standby times. Although electronic systems are known that selectively shut off power when not in use, these systems can accidentally wake up and drain the battery when not actually in use. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] As described below, the technology described herein relates to systems and methods for increasing the operating time and / or standby time of an ultrasound imaging system by reducing the power consumed during one or more operating conditions, such as when the system is not actively imaging tissue, when it has not been moved for a period of time, or when the transducer is overheating more than acceptable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In some embodiments, the ultrasound imaging system operates in a number of different power states, including a normal operating state and two or more low power states. Upon power-up, the system begins operating in a low power state before operating in a normal operating state. In some embodiments, the normal operating state is entered only when the ultrasound transducer is actually capturing tissue images. In some embodiments, when the imaging system is first "powered on," it first operates in a low power state until tissue is detected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging transducer in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a base unit of an ultrasound imaging system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates different power states used in an ultrasound imaging system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 4A] 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary method for detecting whether an ultrasound imaging system is actually imaging tissue or is in air. [Figure 4B] 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary method for detecting whether an ultrasound imaging system is actually imaging tissue or is in air. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] As described in more detail below, the technology described herein relates to medical devices, particularly ultrasound imaging systems, that have multiple distinct operating power levels or states that reduce the system's power usage when not actively imaging tissue, when not being moved, or when thermal thresholds are exceeded. One or more processors of the system are configured to detect when the imaging transducer is not actively being used to image tissue, or when the system has not been moved for more than a predetermined period of time. The one or more processors cause the ultrasound imaging system to enter a low power state that uses less power than would be used in a normal operating state. Upon return, the system begins operating in the low power state before proceeding to a normal operating state in which tissue is imaged.

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of an ultrasound imaging transducer according to some embodiments of the disclosed technique. The transducer preferably includes an array of piezoelectric transducer elements 50, which may be PZT or other piezoelectric elements in a 1D, 1.5D or 2D linear, curved or phased array constructed to generate ultrasound energy, direct the energy into the body and receive corresponding acoustic echo signals. In some embodiments, the array is designed to generate a single bandwidth of frequencies around a center frequency. In other embodiments, the transducer can be configured to generate ultrasound waves around two or more center frequencies (e.g., dual mode imaging). Typically, there are more piezoelectric transducer elements in an ultrasound imaging system than there are transmit (TX) and receive (RX) channels. Thus, a high voltage multiplexer 52 is used to connect the multiple transmit and receive channels to selected transducer array elements. A transmit / receive switch 54 serves to disconnect sensitive receive electronics while a high voltage transmit pulse is applied to the transducer elements during pulse generation. A receive (RX) application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 56 receives the analog echo signals produced by the transducer elements and conditions them for further processing, which may include steps such as filtering and amplification. The output of the receive ASIC 56 is provided to a bank of analog-to-digital converters 58, which convert the analog echo signals into corresponding digital signals.

[0008] The digitized echo signals are sent to communication circuitry 60 and transmitted over cable 80 via a wired or wireless communication link 82 to the imaging system base unit (FIG. 2). A microcontroller 62 controls the operation of the transducer. The microcontroller 62 operates a transmit (TX) FPGA 68 to control how and when drive signals are applied to the individual transducer elements. The drive signals from the TX FPGA 68 are provided to a transmit (TX) ASIC 66 which adjusts and boosts the voltage of the drive signals to cause the transducer elements to generate acoustic ultrasound signals to reach the region of interest.

[0009] A motion sensor 70 is also connected to the microcontroller 62 to detect the movement of the transducer and the angle at which the transducer is held. Such a motion sensor 70 may be an accelerometer, integrated circuit, or other device that detects motion and gravity. In some embodiments, the transducer includes one or more user controls 74 (such as buttons, knobs, touch sensitive pads, etc.) that allow a user to operate the imaging system. Commands entered interactively at the user controls 74 are transmitted to a base unit of the imaging system via a wired or wireless communication link.

[0010] A power supply 72 provides power to the transducer electronics. The power supply 72 may receive power from a base unit via a cable 80 that connects the transducer to the base unit. Alternatively, the power supply 72 may include one or more rechargeable batteries (not shown). The amount of power provided or drawn from the power supply 72 is discussed in further detail below.

[0011] A temperature sensor 76 (eg, a thermistor) generates a signal to the microcontroller 62 indicative of the temperature of the transducer.

[0012] 2 is a simplified block diagram of a base unit of an ultrasound imaging system according to one embodiment of the disclosed technique. The base unit includes one or more processors 102 (CPU, DSP, GPU, or combination thereof) configured to execute program instructions stored in computer readable non-volatile memory to control the operation of the imaging system. Digital echo signals are received from the transducers by communication circuitry 130 (e.g., LVDS receiver, Bluetooth, 801.11, etc.) and sent to receive beamforming electronics 104. There, echo signals from two or more transducer channels are combined to evaluate echo characteristics for multiple locations within the insonifying tissue. Such echo characteristics may be, but are not limited to, echo amplitude, Doppler phase shift, power spectrum, harmonics, or combinations thereof. The output of the beamforming electronics 104 is provided to a digital signal processor (DSP) 106, which performs further filtering and signal conditioning of the received echo signals. The output of the DSP 106 is provided to a graphics processor unit (GPU) 108 which converts the processed digital echo data into a format that can be displayed on a video display 120. The echo data of the image is stored in a frame memory 110 for incorporation into the patient's record, transfer to a patient's billing system, or transfer for storage, review and analysis on a remote computer system. Communications circuitry 130 also sends and receives control signals to and from the transducer components.

[0013] A user interface 132, including one or more of a keyboard, trackball, trackpad, touch screen, buttons, knobs, etc., allows a user to interactively interact with the processor 102 operating system to control the functions of the imaging system. A motion sensor 136 provides signals to the processor 102 when the imaging system is moved or the holding angle is changed. Such motion sensor 136 may include an accelerometer or other motion detection electronics. Finally, a power source 140 provides power to the imaging system and, in some embodiments, the transducer. Preferably, the power source 140 includes one or more rechargeable batteries. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the transducer and base unit may include additional components, the details of which will not be described herein to avoid obscuring the disclosed technology.

[0014] As described above, the processor 102 of the ultrasound imaging system is programmed to operate the imaging system in one of several power states that draw different levels of power from the power source 140. The normal state draws maximum power from the power source and is used when the imaging system is actively capturing live images of tissue in contact with the ultrasound transducer. When the imaging system is idle or not imaging tissue, the processor 102 is programmed to enter one or more lower power states, in which the power drawn from the power source 140 is reduced, reducing the functionality of the system and / or the fidelity of the images produced. The processor 102 remains in the lower power states until reactivated by detection of one or more operating conditions of the imaging system, as described below.

[0015] One problem that arises with medical devices operating in a low power state is that the device may be falsely awakened by accidental or environmental motion. For example, when the imaging system is moved in a vehicle (e.g., an ambulance, a first responder vehicle, etc.), the device may be jostled. If the device's motion sensors detect this jostling motion, they may erroneously return the device to a normal operating state, unnecessarily drawing power from the battery. Such power draw may reduce the system's standby time and limit the amount of time the device can be used to image an actual patient.

[0016] To improve battery management in an ultrasound imaging system, the imaging system of the disclosed technology includes one or more processors that are programmed and operative to wake up and return from a low power state to a normal operating state in multiple steps according to pre-set logic. When the system detects that the imaging system is being used to image tissue, the processor of the system increases power in one or more steps to reach the normal operating state. However, if the system is not being used to image tissue or other pre-defined operating criteria are met, the processor may continue to operate the system at less than full power. The low power state extends battery life, thereby increasing the amount of time the device is available for tissue imaging and the amount of standby time the system is in.

[0017] 3 illustrates an example of several different power states that can be used by an ultrasound imaging system to increase battery life in accordance with the disclosed techniques. In the illustrated embodiment, the ultrasound imaging system is operable in five different power states: a normal operating state 200, a low frame rate state 204, a freeze state 208, a sleep state 212, and a power-down state 216. The low frame rate state 204, the freeze state 208, the sleep state 212, and the power-down state 216 all consume less power (e.g., are lower power states) than the normal operating state 200. It will be appreciated that a greater or lesser number of power states with different levels of power consumption may be implemented in accordance with the disclosed techniques.

[0018] The table below summarizes the functionality of the imaging system in different power states according to one embodiment of the disclosed technique. Note that in this embodiment, the low power states include at least one of a low power state, a freeze state, and a sleep state. [Table 1] *The low power state includes at least one of a low frame rate state for transmitting and receiving, application of a low driving voltage, and a reduction in the number of transmitting and receiving channels used. In the low power state, some imaging modes that require high power levels, such as harmonic imaging, cannot be used. Note that an example of a low power state is the low frame rate state 204 described above.

[0019] In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging system transitions from a current operating state to a less power-consuming power state upon detection of one or more preprogrammed, predefined, or user-defined operating conditions. Conversely, the increase in power draw from a low power state to a normal operating state may be performed in one or more steps, e.g., to provide a more gradual increase in power draw rather than going directly from a powered-down state to a normal operating state.

[0020] In one embodiment, the imaging unit processor 102 and transducer microcontroller 62 are programmed to detect operating conditions (preprogrammed, predefined, or user-defined) that cause a transition between power states. In one embodiment, a transition from a normal operating state 200, in which the imaging system is actually acquiring and displaying ultrasound data from the region of interest, to a low frame rate state 204, in which ultrasound signals are captured at a lower rate, occurs if one or more of the following conditions 250 are met: the transducer probe temperature is higher than a set limit (e.g., higher than 41° C.), the transducer probe remains in contact with the patient's skin for longer than a predetermined limit (e.g., more than 3 minutes without transducer movement), or the transducer probe is airborne. If one or more of these conditions are met, the processor 102 transitions the imaging system from the normal operating state to the low frame rate state 204. The processor 102, 62 periodically checks for these conditions and, if any of these conditions are detected, causes the imaging system to move to a low power state.

[0021] A transition from the low frame rate state 204, in which the system is actively acquiring ultrasound data, to a frozen state 208, in which no new ultrasound data is being acquired and one or more images remain displayed on the video display 120, occurs upon detection of one or more conditions 254. Conditions 254 may include the transducer probe being in the air for more than a predetermined time limit, the transducer probe temperature exceeding a threshold (e.g., 42.5° C.), or the transducer probe remaining in contact with the skin for more than a predetermined time limit without movement being detected.

[0022] A transition from the freeze state 208 to a sleep state 212, in which the system does not acquire ultrasound data or display images on the video monitor, occurs upon detection of any of the conditions 258. These conditions may include no movement of the transducer probe or base unit is detected for more than a predetermined time limit, the transducer probe is left in the air for more than a predetermined time limit, or no user input is received for more than a predetermined time limit.

[0023] A transition from the freeze state 208 to the power off state 216, where all functionality is shut off, occurs upon the detection of one of conditions 262. Conditions 262 include the battery power level dropping below a predetermined threshold, the power button being pressed or turned off, or a period of time passing without any movement of the transducer probe or base unit being detected.

[0024] In one embodiment of the disclosed technology, the user is required to press or actuate the power button before the system leaves the powered down state 216. Upon detecting that the power button has been actuated, rather than transitioning directly from the powered down state 216 to the normal operating state 200, the system first proceeds to one of the lower power states, such as the frozen state 208.

[0025] As explained, the system does not transition directly from the power down state 216 to the normal operating state 200. Instead, a lower power state, such as the freeze state 208 or the low frame rate state 204, is first activated before proceeding to the normal operating state 200. In one embodiment, the power state selected after leaving the power down state is the freeze state 208, whereby one or more images are displayed but no new ultrasound data is acquired. The transition from the freeze state 208 to the low frame rate state 204 occurs upon detection of any of the conditions 270. Conditions 270 may include detection of movement of the transducer or main unit, if the probe temperature is below a predetermined limit (e.g., below 42.5° C.), or if the probe has not been left in air for more than a predetermined time limit.

[0026] The transition from the low frame rate state 204 to the normal operation state 200 occurs when any of the conditions 274 are detected. The conditions 274 may include if the transducer probe temperature is below a predetermined limit (e.g., below 41° C.), if the probe is in contact with the skin for more than a predetermined time limit, or if the probe is not left in air. The transition from the sleep state 212 back to the freeze state 208 occurs when any of the conditions 268 are detected. The conditions 268 may include detection of movement of the probe or main unit or detection of user input to a user input control.

[0027] As will be appreciated, the specific conditions required for a transition from one power state to another may vary, and in some embodiments, a user may define conditions such as time limits or temperature thresholds required for a transition to occur.

[0028] In one aspect of the disclosed technology, power is restored to the normal operating state in at least two stages (e.g., from a power off state to at least one lower state before proceeding to the normal operating state), so that if the power button is accidentally activated and the unit is not in an actual position to image tissue, there is less chance that the imaging system will erroneously begin operating in the normal operating state.

[0029] In some embodiments, a low-power timer that does not turn off during a power-down state monitors how long the imaging system is in the power-down state, and if the time exceeds a predetermined limit (e.g., more than two hours), the imaging system may begin operating in a normal operating state when power is applied.

[0030] As indicated above, in the low frame rate state 204 imaging is still occurring and the presence of tissue can be detected. However, the system images the tissue using lower power than is available in the normal operating state 200. Power can be saved by using lower transmit energy (e.g., by lowering the transmit voltage) or transmitting at a lower frame rate, using fewer transducer elements, transmitting on fewer beamlines using fewer transmit / receive channels, using a lower PRF (pulse repetition frequency), or adjusting imaging parameters to produce lower resolution images or otherwise reduce power usage. In one embodiment, the base unit processor 102 sends instructions to the transducer microcontroller 62 to control the TXFPGA 68 and / or TXASIC 66 to reduce power consumption during tissue imaging. Although such imaging may not be optimal for viewing live images, it is sufficient to determine whether the transducer is imaging tissue or non-tissue or air.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the freeze state 208 stops image generation from the transducer and therefore consumes less power than the low frame rate state 204. However, the processor continues to run and is awakened by detecting movement of the transducer or base unit.

[0032] The sleep state 212 further reduces power consumption beyond the level of the freeze state 208 by stopping image display: images from the transducer are no longer generated or displayed, and further, power consuming functions on the system are turned off.

[0033] In the power down state, the ultrasound imaging system is completely shut down and, in one embodiment, is only reactivated by the user pressing or activating the power button.

[0034] Examples of conditions that may cause a transition from a lower power state to a higher power state include detecting the power button being pressed, detecting the movement of the transducer or probe, or detecting that the probe is being placed on the subject's skin and tissue images are being acquired. By not transitioning directly from a power-off state to a normal operating state, draws on the battery are minimized and the possibility of the system being accidentally restarted by being pushed or other inadvertent movement is reduced. Similarly, power may be increased from a frozen state, first through a low frame rate state to a normal operating state. Additionally, full transducer power is not used until the system determines tissue detection, allowing for additional safety for the patient or operator.

[0035] As described above, the processor 102 is configured to execute instructions to determine whether tissue is detected in the received echo signals. In some embodiments, the processor is programmed to detect changes in one or more echo parameters (e.g., echo intensity) in the field of view of the transducer. As shown in FIG. 4A, the field of view 300 can be divided into multiple sectors 302a, 302b, etc. The echo amplitude values ​​of each point in the sectors are averaged or otherwise combined. When the transducer is pressed against the patient's body, some changes in echo characteristics may occur in the various sectors depending on the structure of the tissue. If each sector has the same (or nearly the same, e.g., within + / - 5 dB) average amplitude value, it is possible that the transducer is not pressed against the body and the transducer is imaging free space or other non-tissue objects. Thus, in one embodiment, the processor is programmed to detect tissue in the image based on detected changes in echo characteristics in the received ultrasound frames. As will be appreciated, different intensity thresholds or tissue detection may be applied when the system is operating in normal operating conditions than in the low power condition. This is because, due to the reduced transmit voltage, reduced number of channels, low PRF, etc., the same tests used to identify tissue in normal power conditions cannot be used to identify tissue in low power conditions.

[0036] In yet another embodiment, the return time of the echo signal can be used to determine whether the transducer is pressed against an object or imaging free space. As shown in FIG. 4B, the transducer receives a first echo signal from the lens surface due to the acoustic impedance mismatch between the lens and the surrounding medium (e.g., air). The tissue generates a second echo at some point after the lens reflection. If no tissue reflection occurs, the processor can determine that the transducer may be imaging free space and can enter a low power state.

[0037] Embodiments of the subject matter and operations described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their equivalents, or one or more combinations thereof.Embodiments of the subject matter described herein can also be implemented as one or more programs, i.e., one or more modules of program instructions encoded on a non-transitory computer storage medium for execution by or control the operation of a data processing apparatus.

[0038] The term "processor" includes all kinds of apparatus, devices and machines for processing data, including, by way of example, a programmable processor, a microcontroller, a computer, a system on a chip, or a plurality or combination thereof. A processor may include special purpose logic circuitry, such as, for example, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Processor also includes computer program code, such as, in addition to hardware, code constituting, for example, processor firmware, that creates the execution environment for the computer program in question.

[0039] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any type of programming language, including compiled, interpreted, declarative, or procedural languages, and can be deployed in any form, such as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can, but does not have to, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored as part of a file that contains other programs and data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in several associated files (e.g., a file that stores one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code).

[0040] The processes and logic flows described herein may be performed by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform operations by operating on input data to generate output. The processes and logic flows may also be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, such as, for example, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Typically, a processor receives instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory, or both.

[0041] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising: a transducer configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to a subject and detect echo signals from the subject; a processor coupled to the transducer and configured to place the ultrasound imaging system in a powered-down state, a first operating state, or a second operating state that consumes less power than the first operating state; a display coupled to the processor; Equipped with the transducer is configured to operate at a first power in the first operating state and at a second power in the second operating state that is less than the first power when the ultrasound imaging system transitions from a power-off state to the first operating state; the transducer is configured to operate at the second power in the second operating state using one or more of a reduced transmit power, a reduced frame rate, and a reduced pulse repetition frequency compared to operating at the first power in the first operating state; An ultrasound imaging system configured such that the display displays live images acquired by a transducer operating in the second operating state using one or more of the reduced transmission power, the reduced frame rate, and the reduced pulse repetition frequency compared to the first operating state in order to reduce power consumption of the ultrasound imaging system prior to transitioning from the power-off state and operating in the first operating state.

2. The processor, determining whether the subject has not been imaged within a first predetermined time limit or whether the ultrasound imaging system or the transducer has not been moved within a second predetermined time limit; The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , configured to switch to the second operating state in response to the determination.

3. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to prevent use of one or more ultrasound imaging modes while the ultrasound imaging system is operating in the second operating state.

4. 2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the transducer includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the transducer, and the processor is configured to switch the ultrasound imaging system to a second operating state when the temperature exceeds a threshold.

5. 2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the transducer includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the transducer, and the processor is configured to prevent the ultrasound imaging system from transitioning to a first operating state if the temperature of the transducer exceeds a threshold.

6. 2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine when the transducer is imaging air for a predetermined time limit and, in response to the determination, switch the ultrasound imaging system to a second operating state.

7. 2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein when the ultrasound imaging system is in a second operating state, the transducer uses fewer transmitting elements than when the ultrasound imaging system is in a first operating state.

8. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , wherein when the ultrasound imaging system is in a second operating state, the transducer uses fewer beamlines than when the ultrasound imaging system is in a first operating state.

9. The processor, determining that the subject is not included in an ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound imaging system within a predetermined time limit; The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , configured to switch the ultrasound imaging system to a second operating state in response to the determining.

10. 1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising: a transducer configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to a subject and detect echo signals from the subject; a processor coupled to the transducer configured to operate the ultrasound imaging system in a first power state and, upon transition from a powered down state, operate the ultrasound imaging system in a second power state; a display connected to the processor; the transducer receiving the echo signals at less power in the second power state than in the first power state; the display is configured to display live images acquired by a transducer operating in the second power state using one or more of a reduced transmit power, a reduced frame rate, and a reduced pulse repetition frequency compared to the first power state to reduce power consumption of the ultrasound imaging system prior to transitioning from the powered-down state and operating in the first power state. Ultrasound imaging system.

11. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10 , wherein a transmit power of the transducer in the second power state is lower than a transmit power of the transducer in the first power state.

12. The processor, determining that the subject has not been imaged by the ultrasound imaging system within a predetermined time period; The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10 , configured to operate the ultrasound imaging system in a second power state in response to the determining.

13. 11. An ultrasound imaging system, further comprising: a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the ultrasound imaging system, wherein the processor is configured to switch the ultrasound imaging system from a third power state to a second power state based on the motion, The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the ultrasound imaging system consumes more power in the second power state than in the third power state.

14. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature of the transducer; The processor, configuring the ultrasound imaging system to operate in a second operating state when the temperature exceeds a first threshold; 11. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10, wherein the ultrasound imaging system is configured to operate in a third power state that consumes less power than the second power state when the temperature exceeds a second threshold different from the first threshold.

15. 11. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the transducer is imaging airborne for a predetermined time limit and, in response to the determination, operate the ultrasound imaging system in a second operating state.

16. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10, wherein when the ultrasound imaging system is in a second operating state, the transducer uses at least one of fewer transmitting elements or fewer beamlines than when the ultrasound imaging system operates in a first operating state.

17. 1. A method implemented by an ultrasound imaging system, comprising: receiving a request to transition the ultrasound imaging system from a powered-down state; the ultrasound imaging system is operable in a first operating state and a second operating state upon transition from the power-off state, the ultrasound imaging system consuming less power in the second operating state than in the first operating state; determining, with a processor of the ultrasound imaging system, whether a next state of the ultrasound imaging system from the powered-down state is the first operating state or the second operating state; and using the processor to activate a transducer of the ultrasound imaging system in the next state to deliver ultrasonic energy to a subject and detect returning echo signals from the subject, the transducer at a first power when the next state is the first operating state, and at a second power less than the first power when the next state is the second operating state, the second power being configured to operate using one or more of a reduced transmit power, a reduced frame rate, and a reduced pulse repetition frequency at the second power in the second operating state compared to operating at the first power in the first operating state prior to transitioning from the powered down state and operating in the first power state. The method further comprises using the processor to configure a display of the ultrasound imaging system to display live images acquired by a transducer operating in the second operating state using one or more of the reduced transmit power, the reduced frame rate, and the reduced pulse repetition frequency compared to the first operating state to reduce power consumption of the ultrasound imaging system before transitioning from the power-off state and operating in the first operating state.

18. determining an amount of movement of the transducer; The method of claim 17 , wherein the next state is determined based on the amount of movement.

19. determining, while the ultrasound imaging system is in a powered-off state, an occurrence of an event selected from the group consisting of: expiration of a timer and activation of a power button; The method of claim 17, further comprising transitioning the ultrasound imaging system to a next state in response to determining that the event has occurred.

Images