Systems and methods for gel management

Abstract

Arrangements described herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods for managing gel on a subject to provide gel on a first area of the subject, including controlling a transducer to move to a second area of the subject and controlling the transducer to move the gel to the first area from the second area.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a transducer;   an applicator;   a controller configured to control movements of the transducer; and   a sensor configured to output a gel sufficiency parameter for gel on a subject, wherein:
 the controller is configured to determine that an amount of the gel on an area of the subject is insufficient based on the gel sufficiency parameter; and 
 the controller is configured to control the applicator to apply additional gel on the area of the subject. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the controller determines that the amount of the gel on the area is insufficient responsive to determining that the gel sufficiency parameter is below a threshold. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is located on an end portion of the transducer. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises two or more contacts located on the transducer. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the gel sufficiency parameter is a resistance between two metal contacts of the two or more contacts of the sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the gel sufficiency parameter is a conductance or conductivity between two metal contacts of the two or more contacts of the sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the transducer is configured to be oriented in an angle oblique to the skin, and when the transducer is oriented to in the angle oblique to the skin, one of the two or more contacts is closer to the skin than another one of the two or more contacts. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the applicator is located on the transducer. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the applicator is different and separate from the transducer. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the applicator has one or more surfaces or edges for retaining the additional gel. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the applicator comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the applicator comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is located on the applicator. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the transducer emits and receives ultrasonic waves; and   the gel is an ultrasonic coupling gel used to enhance comfort of the subject and to improve transmission of ultrasonic waves.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the transducer collects physiological data from the first area. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the transducer collects physiological data from the subject when the transducer is oriented in the flat position. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the controller comprises robotics to control the movement of the transducer. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the robotics are configured to confine the movement of the transducer to a predetermined workspace. 
     
     
         39 . A system, comprising:
 a transducer;   robotics; and   a controller configured to control movements of the transducer using the robotics; and   a sensor configured to output a gel sufficiency parameter for gel on a subject, wherein:
 the controller is configured to determine that an amount of the gel on an area of the subject is insufficient based on the gel sufficiency parameter; and 
 the controller is configured to control the robotics to move the transducer in applying additional gel on the area of the subject. 
   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the sensor comprises two or more contacts located on the transducer.