Ultrasound measurement device

Abstract

An ultrasound measurement device includes an array of ultrasound sensor elements of at least two different types. Each type of sensor element is configured to transmit ultrasound signals at a different frequency. The sensor elements of the different types are arranged in a grid or lattice pattern.

Description

ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENT DEVICECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 63 / 510,149 filed June 26, 2023 and No. 63 / 597,314 filed November 8, 2023, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an ultrasound measurement system and a method for determining a structure of an object using an array of ultrasound sensor elements.BACKGROUND

[0003] Ultrasound technology is widely used in a medical setting. Compared to other imaging technologies, such as X-ray and computed tomography (CT), the measurement devices using ultrasound technology have simple mechanisms and can be portable for easy measurements. Typically, such ultrasound measurement devices are used to measure an internal organ of a patient, such as a bladder.

[0004] The ultrasound measurement device is used not only for capturing a single image of an internal organ but for determining the structure of the organ and monitoring the change thereof for continuous medical treatments. Some medical treatments require the structure of the organ to be imaged and determined as accurately and quickly as possible with small computational power.SUMMARY

[0005] One or more embodiments provide an ultrasound measurement system and a method capable of determining a structure of an object accurately and efficiently.

[0006] In one embodiment, an ultrasound measurement device comprises an array of ultrasound sensor elements of at least two different types, each type of sensor element beingconfigured to transmit ultrasound signals at a different frequency. The sensor elements of the different types are arranged in a grid or lattice pattern.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a closed-loop home diuretic therapy system including an ultrasound measurement device, a diuretic administration device, and a mobile device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of the closed-loop home diuretic therapy system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a monitor housing for the ultrasound measurement device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the ultrasound measurement device with an adhesive attachment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the ultrasound measurement device with an adjustable belt strap in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the ultrasound measurement device that is wearable as an undergarment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 7 depicts an ultrasound sensor for the ultrasound measurement device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] FIGS. 8 A and 8B depict an operation of the ultrasound sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] FIGS. 9 A and 9D depict an operation of the ultrasound sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIGS. 10A and 101 depict an operation of the ultrasound sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIGS. 11A-11G depict an operation of the ultrasound sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] FIGS. 12A-12C depict an operation of the ultrasound sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates grouping and scanning algorithms in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of grouping and scanning processes performed by the ultrasound measurement device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 15 depicts an ultrasound sensor in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 16 depicts ultrasound signals emitted from the ultrasound sensor.

[0023] FIG. 17 depicts transmission surfaces of sensor elements in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 18 depicts a housing for the ultrasound sensor in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of ultrasound signals emitted from the ultrasound sensor to a target organ.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In order to facilitate description, dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated, and thus are different from actual ratios in some cases.

[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a closed-loop home diuretic system 100, which is an example of the ultrasound measurement system to which an ultrasound measurement device 200 is applicable. As shown in FIG. 1, the closed-loop home diuretic system 100 comprises the ultrasound measurement device 200, a diuretic administration device 300 which includes a subcutaneous injection site 310, a drug delivery tubing 312, and a drug delivery and storage unit 330, and in some embodiments, a mobile device 500.

[0028] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the ultrasound measurement device 200 is attached to a user and transmits ultrasound signals to monitor the shape of the bladder over time. The ultrasound measurement device 200 can determine the amount of urine in the bladder based on the measurement results, and calculate the urine output volume using the algorithm disclosed in the international publication WO 2022 / 259115 Al .

[0029] Wireless communication hardware and technology such as Bluetooth® built in the ultrasound measurement device 200 send the urine output volume to the diuretic administration device 300 and the mobile device 500. The mobile device 500 uses the urine output volume, an existing target diuretic dose which, for example, has been recorded at a hospital or a clinic, and a diuretic regulating algorithm to determine a new target diuretic dose and wirelessly sends the new target diuretic dose to the diuretic administration device 300. Subsequently, the drug delivery and storage unit 330 delivers the diuretic according to the new target diuretic dose, to the subcutaneous injection site 310 by means of the drug delivery tubing 312.

[0030] FIG. 2 depicts the operation of the closed-loop home diuretic therapy system 100 for determining and updating the diuretic dose to be administered and administrated based on the target and measured urine output volume.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound measurement device 200 uses its built- in processor 221 to determine the appropriate diuretic dose and send the diuretic dose data to the diuretic administration device 300, and diuretic is administered to the user by means of the drug delivery and storage unit 330 delivering the diuretic to the subcutaneous injection site 310 through the drug delivery tubing 312. FIG. 2 shows the ultrasound measurement device 200 and the diuretic administration device 300 that communicate with each other. FIG. 2 depicts how the information determined by the physician may be initially used to set up the closed-loop home diuretic therapy system 100 and how the subsequent information and data may flow through the system 100.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound measurement device 200 comprises the processor 221, a memory 222, an ultrasound sensor 211 with a filter circuit 212, an accelerometer 220, a speaker 213, a power source 225 such as a battery, a control panel 217, adisplay screen 218, and a network interface 223. The ultrasound measurement device 200 may comprise any other component not shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] The ultrasound sensor 211 emits ultrasound signals towards the bladder of the user and detects the wall or boundary thereof. The ultrasound sensor 211 may include different types of sensor elements that have different sizes and transmit ultrasound signals at different frequencies. The filter circuit 212 filters the echoed signals so that the processor 221 can process those signals according to their frequencies and generate an echo image. The filter circuit 212 may be disposed outside the ultrasound sensor 211.

[0034] The accelerometer 220 is a three-axis accelerometer that detects the orientation of the ultrasound measurement device 200. The accelerometer 220 may include a gyroscope. To measure device orientation, an inclinometer, a tilt sensor, and / or an inertial measurement unit (IMU) may be used in addition to or instead of the accelerometer 220. The speaker 213 functions to alert the user with sounds when necessary and optionally to generate responsive sounds when different actions are performed by the user through the control panel 217.

[0035] The power source 225 supplies power to the components of the ultrasound measurement device 200. The control panel 217 may have buttons or switches for the user to input data and adjust settings of the ultrasound measurement device 200. The display screen 218 may display the data, settings, and any functionally relevant information including warnings. The display screen 218 may also possess touch screen capabilities such that the selection can be made by touching the screen. The network interface 223 is a wireless network interface controller that communicates with other external devices such as the diuretic administration device 300 according to wireless communication protocols, e.g., Bluetooth.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the diuretic administration device 300 comprises, in addition to the injection site 310, the drug delivery tubing 312, and the drug delivery and storage unit 330, a processor 321, a memory 322, a power source 325, a network interface 320, a control panel and indicator 332, and a speaker 323. The drug delivery and storage unit 330 further includes a pumping unit 331 and a drug cartridge 336 for storing and delivering the diuretic.

[0037] The injection site 310 is a subcutaneous injection site with an injection feature for subcutaneous diuretic injection. The drug delivery tubing 312 connects the pumping unit 331of the drug delivery and storage unit 330 to the injection site 310. The network interface 320 is a wireless network interface controller that communicates with other external devices, such as the ultrasound measurement device 200, according to wireless communication protocols, e.g., Bluetooth. The power source 325 is, e.g., a battery, which supplies power to the components of the diuretic administration device 300. The drug delivery and storage unit 330 stores and delivers the diuretic to the user body. The control panel and indicator 332 accepts user inputs and displays information for the user. The control panel and indicator 332 may be formed of a display screen and a control panel including one or more keys and / or a touch panel. The speaker 323 functions to alert the user with sounds when necessary and optionally to generate responsive sounds when different actions are performed by the user through the control panel and indicator 332.

[0038] Now the operation of the closed-loop home diuretic therapy system 100 in one embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 2. Initially, the user’s initial diuretic dose and the target urine output volume at the end of a specified time period are determined, e.g., by a physician who possesses the proper clinical knowledge and knowledge of the user’s medical history (SI), and then entered, e.g., by the physician, into the ultrasound measurement device 200 via the control panel 217. Instead of entering the information into the ultrasound measurement device 200, the information may be transmitted to the ultrasound measurement device 200 from a device operated by the physician via a network. The series of steps depicted on the user side in FIG. 2 begins when the initial diuretic dose is administered to the user by means of the diuretic administration device 300.

[0039] The ultrasound sensor 211 of the ultrasound measurement device 200 scans the bladder (S2) and the data are stored in the memory 222 (S3). The accelerometer 220 of the ultrasound measurement device 200 detects the orientation thereof and stores the data in the memory 222 (S4). The bladder scan data and the orientation data are used by the processor 221 to estimate the urine inside the bladder (S 5). The urine output volume over a specified time period is then determined by the processor 221 (S6). The calculated urine output volume is compared against the target urine output volume (S7) to determine whether or not the diuretic dose must be adjusted. If the diuretic dose needs to be adjusted, a known algorithm, such as a proportional- integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm disclosed in International Publication WO2022 / 259115 Al, is applied to determine a new diuretic dose. If the adjustment is unnecessary, the dose determined in step S9 would equal the most recently administered diuretic dose. Once the diuretic dose is determined (S8), it is sent to the diuretic administration device 300 (S9, S10).

[0040] Upon receiving the diuretic dose data (Si l), the processor 321 of the diuretic administration device 300 executes the diuretic administration by means of the drug delivery and storage unit 330 delivering the diuretic to the subcutaneous injection site 310 through the drug delivery tubing 312 (SI 2). The diuretic dose data are stored in the memory 322 and sent back to the ultrasound measurement device 200 (SI 3). The process described above, S2-S13, is repeated until the specified time period is reached.

[0041] Now an arrangement of the hardware components of the ultrasound measurement device 200 is described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 A, and 4B. As shown in those figures, those hardware components are disposed on or housed in a monitor housing 210, which is attachable or fixed to an adhesive attachment 230. As shown in FIG. 3, the speaker 213, the control panel 217, and the display screen 218 are disposed along the outer surface of the monitor housing 210. The monitor housing 210 may have one or both of a sensor charging port 226 for a power cord and a monitor housing access panel 227 that can be opened and closed when replacing the power source 225, e.g., a battery. The locations and configurations of the sensor charging port 226 and the monitor housing access panel 227 are not limited to those depicted in FIG. 4A.

[0042] FIG. 4A is a view of the monitor housing 210 side opposite the skin-contact side, and FIG. 4B is the skin-contact side of the ultrasound measurement device 200. The adhesive attachment 230 is thin, for example, 0.1 mm to 2 mm in thickness, and connected to the monitor housing 210 such that the adhesive attachment 230 extends out from the outer profile of the monitor housing 210. The adhesive attachment 230 has an opening between the ultrasound sensor 211 and the skin-contact side of the monitor housing 210 so as to allow for better ultrasound signal transmission.

[0043] The adhesive attachment 230 is depicted with eight separate tabs in FIGS. 4 A and 4B but it may, for example, have a contiguous outer periphery without any slits or openings, orhave any number of openings to conform more easily to the uneven surface of the skin when attached. If the adhesive attachment 230 has a contiguous outer periphery without any slits or openings, the outer profile of the adhesive attachment 230 may be either smooth or uneven. If the adhesive attachment 230 is separated by slits or openings, each interrupted section is not required to have the same shape, length, or width as the other sections. The monitor housing 210 that is depicted as a rectangular box with rounded corners in FIG. 4A, may have different outer profile shapes such as, for example, oval, square, or circular with dimensions, for example, a thickness of 1 mm to 30 mm and an overall circumscribing diameter of 2 cm to 30 cm.

[0044] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the monitor housing 210 may include a medium layer 215 to reduce or eliminate an air gap between the ultrasound sensor 211 and the contact area of the user to enhance passing of ultrasound signals through human tissue. The medium layer 215 may contain fluid, absorb fluid, or allow fluid to pass through one or more fluid holes 216 to enhance its ability to reduce or eliminate an air gap between the ultrasound sensor 211 and the contact area of the user. The medium layer 215 may be a replaceable component.

[0045] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the monitor housing 210 for the ultrasound measurement device 200 is attached to an adjustable belt strap 240 by means of a monitor housing holder 231 to contact the skin of the lower abdomen, where the ultrasound sensor 211 inside the monitor housing 210 is utilized for the urine output volume monitoring. The adjustable belt strap 240 has a belt connector 241 that can be connected and disconnected by the wearer or an assisting person to put on or take off the adjustable belt strap 240. The adjustable belt strap 240 also has a belt adjuster 242 that can be utilized to adjust the length of the adjustable belt strap 240 to fit varying body shapes and sizes. A back support 244 provides stability and comfort for the wearer of the adjustable belt strap 240.

[0046] In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the ultrasound measurement device 200 may be a part of an undergarment 250. The monitor housing 210 is attachable to the undergarment 250 through the monitor housing holder 231. The undergarment 250 may be elastic and come in different sizes for varying body types of the user.

[0047] Now, with reference to FIGS. 7 through 14, the operation of the ultrasound sensor 211 for the ultrasound measurement device 200 is described. As shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasound sensor 211 is an array of ultrasound sensor elements 211b and 211c to detect and capture the entire profile of the bladder in all anatomical directions. In the example of FIG. 7, two types of ultrasound sensor elements 211b and 211c (hereinafter referred to as “first sensor elements 211b” and “second sensor elements 211c”) are arranged in a grid or lattice pattern. The sensor elements 211b and 211c may be arranged in one to ten rows by one to ten columns (e.g., 1x1, 2x3, 3x2, 3x3, 5x10, 8x6, etc.). The array is not limited to possessing the same number of sensors in each row or column. The array may include any number of sensor elements 211b and 211c in each row and column. Two first sensor elements 211b, two second sensor elements 211c, and first and second sensor elements 211b and 211c that are adjacent to each other, may be separated by any distance depending on the total number of sensor elements 211b and 211c and the size of the ultrasound sensor 211.

[0048] In one embodiment, the diameter of the first sensor elements 211b (e.g., 3-15 mm) is larger than the one of the second sensor elements 211c (e.g., 1-10 mm). The first sensor elements 211b emit lower frequency signals (e.g., 1-2 MHz) than the second sensor elements 211c (e.g., 4-6 MHz), and thus are suited for deeper penetration into the body of an obese user whose bladder is away from the skin. On the other hand, the second sensor elements 211c emit higher frequency signals, and thus are suited for shallower penetration into the body of a non- obese user with higher axial resolution. The second sensor elements 211c can also provide more accurate detection of the closer or anterior wall of the bladder in obese users.

[0049] FIGS. 8 A through 12C illustrate how the sensor elements 211b and 211c are controlled to transmit the ultrasound signals. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the processor 221 of the ultrasound measurement device 200 controls all the smaller second sensor elements 211c, which are colored black for illustration purpose, to transmit the ultrasound signals first, and process the reflected or echoed signals to generate an image of the bladder. Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the processor 221 controls all the larger first sensor elements 211b to transmit the ultrasound signals and process the echoed signals. The measurement using the first sensor elements 211b may be performed when the image of the bladder cannot be generated using the second sensor elements 211c. With this operation, the ultrasound measurement device 200 cangenerate the image of a user’s bladder regardless of their body shape, i.e., the distance from the skin to the bladder. In another embodiment, the processor 221 may control all the first sensor elements 21 lb to transmit the ultrasound signals first. Generating the echo image or the image of the bladder may not only be generating an actual image to be displayed, but also be detecting of the walls or boundaries of the bladder from the reflected or echoed signals called A-mode signals, e.g. signal profiles. The detected walls or boundaries of the bladder show locations of the walls or boundaries of the bladder which can be displayed as a 3D image of the bladder, e.g., by volume rendering. Therefore, the term “image” in this disclosure includes a set of such detected walls or boundaries of the bladder from the signal profiles of the reflected echoes.

[0050] FIGS. 9A through 9D illustrate another example of the operation of the first and second sensor elements 211b and 211c in one embodiment. Initially, the processor 221 of the ultrasound measurement device 200 assigns the first and second sensor elements 211b and 211c into a particular number of groups, e.g., six groups GR0-GR5 as shown in FIG. 9A such that each group includes either the first sensor elements 211b or the second sensor elements 211c. The processor may generate group information in which each sensor element 211b or 211c is associated with one of the groups and store the group information in the memory 222.

[0051] Next, the processor 221 determines the order or priority of enabling each group to transmit the ultrasound signals. In one embodiment, the order is determined such that a group of sensor elements 211b or 211c located closer to the center of the ultrasound sensor 211 transmits the ultrasound signals earlier as illustrated in FIGS. 9A through 9D. In this case, the processor 221 selects the group GR2 of the sensor elements 211b to transmit the ultrasound signals first (see FIG. 9A). Upon receipt of the echoed signals, the processor 221 generates an echo image and determines whether all of the boundaries of the bladder is shown in the image. If those boundaries are shown, the processor 221 ends the measurement without continuing the measurements and stores the echo image in the memory 222. If those boundaries are not shown, the processor 221 selects the next group, e.g., the groups GR1 and GR3 of the sensor elements 211c (see FIG. 9B), and updates the generated echo image using the signals originated from the groups GR1 and GR3. Then, the processor 221 repeats the selection and transmission steps until the image showing all the boundaries of the bladder is generated (e.g., FIGS. 9C and 9D). With this configuration, the ultrasound measurement device 200 can minimize the scanningtime and battery drain by the ultrasound sensor 211 for imaging a bladder. Moreover, the ultrasound measurement device 200 can generate a clear bladder image regardless of the user’s body shape, i.e., the distance from the skin to the bladder.

[0052] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 9 A through 9D, grouping is made along a row direction or longitudinal direction of the sensor element array. However, grouping may be made along any direction, such as a column direction of the array.

[0053] In one embodiment, the processor 221 may select a group of sensor elements 21 lb or 211c located farther from the center of the ultrasound sensor 211 first (e.g., GR0 or GR5 illustrated in FIG. 9A). Alternatively, the processor 221 may select a group of sensor elements 211b or 211c located corresponding to or closest to the center of the bladder, and then select the surrounding groups. The processor 221 can determine the center of the bladder based on the echo image that was previously generated or information provided from an external device.

[0054] In one embodiment, after the boundaries of the bladder have been detected, the processor 221 may determine the sensor elements 211b and 211c that have not been selected for the measurement, and store information indicating those unused sensor elements 211b and 211c in the memory 222. In subsequent measurements, the processor 221 may refer to the information and exclude the sensor elements 211b and 211c indicated therein from the grouping and measurement process.

[0055] In one embodiment, during or after generating an echo image, the processor 221 determines whether the measurement is erroneous, and thus the echo image is not useful for urine volume measurement. This can happen when the user moves or changes the position of the ultrasound measurement device 200 during the measurement. In such a case, the processor 221 may redo the immediately preceding selection and transmission steps or start over from the grouping step.

[0056] FIGS. 10A through 12C illustrate other examples of the grouping and scanning processes to be performed by the processor 221 of the ultrasound measurement device 200. In the example of FIGS. 10A through 101, the processor 221 assigns the first and second sensor elements 211b and 211c into nine groups GR0 through GR8 in the grouping process, and control each group to transmit the ultrasound signals and generate a bladder image in the scanningprocess as described above. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A through 101, the processor 221 may group the first and second sensor elements 21 lb and 211c along the longer side of the ultrasound sensor 211. In one embodiment, the processor 221 starts the scanning process from the innermost group GR4 in the order illustrated from FIG. 10A through FIG. 101. Alternatively, the processor 221 may start the scanning process from the outermost group GRO or GR8. In such a case, the processor 221 enables the groups for scanning in the following order: GRO, GR8, GR1, GR7, GR2, GR6, GR3, GR5, and GR4, or GR8, GRO, GR7, GR1, GR6, GR2, GR5, GR3, and GR4.

[0057] In one embodiment, the processor 221 may select and enable the groups so as to complete the scanning process using either the first sensor elements 21 lb or the second sensor elements 211c first like example of FIGS. 8A and 8B. In the example of FIGS. 10A through 101, for instance, the processor 221 may enable the groups of the first sensor elements 211b, i.e., GRO, GR2, GR4, GR6, and GR8 in any order, and then enable the remaining groups of the second sensor elements 211c, i.e., GR1, GR3, GR5, and GR7. The processor 221 can use any algorithm to determine the scanning order using the grouped sensor elements.

[0058] FIGS. 11 A through 11 G illustrate yet another example of the grouping and scanning processes performed by the processor 221 of the ultrasound measurement device 200. As shown in the figures, the processor 221 may assign the sensor elements 211b and 211c to a plurality of groups, i.e., GRO through GR6, that are adjacent to each other in an outward direction with respect to the sensor element 211b that is located at the center of the array. The processor 221 then controls each of the groups to transmit the ultrasound signals such that the sensor elements 211b or 211c of a group including or closer to the central sensor element 211b are used earlier. As described above, the processor 221 may stop the scanning process once all the boundaries of the bladder have been imaged. The bladder usually has a shape of a pear and thus prioritizing the inner groups will help in reducing the scanning time and energy drain.

[0059] In one embodiment, the processor 221 may determine a predicted center of the bladder from the previously acquired bladder image or information acquired form an external device, and assign the sensor elements 211b and 211c to a plurality of groups that are adjacent to each other in a radial direction with respect to a particular sensor element 21 lb or 211c that is located at a position corresponding to the predicted center of the bladder. This allows the scanningprocess to be done quickly even if the ultrasound measurement device 200 is not properly worn by the user and its location is shifted from the proper location on the skin.

[0060] FIGS. 12A through 12C illustrate a variation of the grouping and scanning processes described with reference to FIGS. 11A through 11G. In this example, each group includes a certain number of first and second sensor elements 211b and 211c that are adjacent to each other. As shown, the group GR0 has nine first and second sensor elements 211b and 211c that are adjacent to each other, and the group GR1 has twelve first and second sensor elements 211b and 211c that are adjacent to each other. The group GR2 has the remaining elements, i.e., six first and second sensor elements 21 lb and 211c, which may not be adjacent to each other.

[0061] FIG. 13 illustrates various grouping and scanning algorithms that can be used by the ultrasound measurement device 200, including the ones described above with reference to FIGS. 8 A through 12. Each scanning algorithm can be used together with any one of the grouping algorithms, if appropriate. Embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the algorithms illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0062] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the grouping and scanning processes performed by the ultrasound measurement device 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. First, the processor 221 of the ultrasound measurement device 200 creates a plurality of groups of sensor elements 21 lb and 211c (S 101 ). Next, the processor 221 determines the order of enabling the groups, and controls each group to transmit the transmission signals (SI 02). Upon receipt of the echoed signals, the processor 221 generates the echo image (SI 03). Here, the processor 221 determines whether an error has occurred during or after the process of generating the echo image (SI 04) . Upon determining that an error has occurred, the process returns to the grouping process (S 101), and the processor 221 starts over the grouping. In one embodiment, even if an error has occurred, the processor 221 may not start over the grouping, and start over the scanning process according to the existing groups and the determined order.

[0063] Upon determining that an error has not occurred, the processor 221 determines whether the bladder has been fully scanned and imaged, i.e., all the boundaries thereof are detected in the generated image (SI 05). When the bladder has not been fully imaged, the process goes back to and repeats the scanning process until the bladder has been fully imaged. After thebladder has been fully imaged, the processor 221 stores the result image in the memory 222 (SI 06). A structure or morphology of the bladder reflecting the urine volume in the bladder, e.g., a size of lumen of the bladder, is then determined from the stored image to measure the urine output volume and determine a new diuretic dose as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0064] In the above-described step SI 05, the processor 221 determines whether the bladder has been “fully” scanned and imaged, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. The processor 221 can determine whether the bladder has been partially scanned and imaged to the extent necessary for calculating the bladder volume with some compensation, e.g., using a data library of known bladder structures to reconstruct the full bladder from the partial image.

[0065] In one embodiment, a calibration feedback process can be implemented not only before the above-described grouping and scanning processes, but can be performed anytime. During the calibration process, the processor 221 determines which of the grouping and scanning algorithms (see FIGS. 8A-13) is suitable for a specific patient by comparing the images generated using the sensor elements 211b and the sensor elements 211c. The processor 221 can determine that the patient is on the obese side when the processor 221 can generate a better echo image using the sensor elements 211b transmitting lower frequency signals. The processor 221 can select the grouping and scanning algorithms in which the sensor elements 211b are prioritized or enabled early. If there is no significant difference between the two images, then the processor 221 can select the grouping and scanning algorithms using both sensor elements 211b and 211c equally. This calibration step may lead to further power saving based on the grouping choice and or algorithm adaptability.

[0066] In the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 7-12C, two types of sensor elements 211b and 211c having different diameters are assigned to a plurality of groups. In another embodiment, a plurality of sensor elements of the same type (i.e., the same frequency or diameter) or three or more types (i.e., three different frequencies or diameters) may be assigned to a plurality of groups.

[0067] Hereinafter, variations of the ultrasound sensor 211 are described. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show the ultrasound sensor 211 with ultrasound sensor elements 21 Id arranged in a grid or lattice pattern in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the ultrasound sensor 211 has a curved surface to face a skin of a patient, and the sensor elements 21 Id are arranged along the curved surface such that at least two of the sensor elements 21 Id transmit ultrasound signals in different directions from each other.

[0068] FIG. 16 shows a cross section A-A of the ultrasound sensor 211 illustrated in FIG. 15. In this example, the sensor elements 21 Id in the first row emit ultrasound signals downward, whereas the sensor elements 21 Id in the other rows emit ultrasound signals radially when viewed from the side. Because of this configuration, the bladder in the lower body can be scanned effectively even if the ultrasound sensor 211 faces the body surface at an improper angle.

[0069] Unlike the ultrasound sensor 211 shown in FIGS. 7-12C, the diameter of each sensor element 21 Id is identical. However, the sensor elements 21 Id may have different diameters like the elements 211b and 211c in one embodiment. The sensor elements 21 Id may or may not transmit the same frequency signals (e.g., 1-6 MHz). The grouping for sequential transmission described above can apply to the sensor elements 21 Id regardless of its diameter or frequency.

[0070] In the example shown in FIG. 15, the total number of sensor elements 21 Id in both vertical and horizontal directions is identical (i.e., 7), but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, a different number of sensor elements 21 Id may be arranged in one or more rows of the array.

[0071] FIGS. 17 and 18 depict another arrangement of the sensor elements 21 Id. FIG. 17 schematically shows the transmission surfaces of the sensor elements 21 Id, and FIG. 18 shows the exterior of the ultrasound sensor 211 with a housing 260 and a pad 270. As illustrated in the figures, the transmission surfaces of some sensor elements 21 Id that are located along three sides (e.g., top, left, and right sides as shown in FIG. 17) of the array face inward. The arrangement of the other sensor elements 21 Id is similar to the one of the sensor elements 21 Id in the second through bottom rows shown in FIG. 17. One or more of the other sensor elements21 Id may also be arranged to face inward (e.g., the sensor elements 21 Id in the second row and the second and sixth columns as shown in FIG. 17). This configuration can achieve wider scanning coverage even when the ultrasound sensor 211 is attached to a body surface at an improper angle.

[0072] The pad 270 is a gel pad that contacts both the curved surface of the ultrasound sensor 211 and a body surface of a patient when ultrasound measurement is performed. In one embodiment, the pad 270 is formed of a transparent, soft material such as silicone such that the coverage of ultrasound signals can be enhanced due to the refraction thereof.

[0073] FIG. 19 shows how ultrasound signals are emitted from the sensor elements 21 Id to a bladder. The left plane corresponds to the transmission surfaces of the sensor elements 21 Id. A darker color indicates a closer point on the bladder from the nearest ultrasound signal. As illustrated in the figure, the bladder can be effectively scanned by the ultrasound sensor 211 because of the orientations of the sensor elements 21 Id.

[0074] This disclosure describes embodiments and examples of an ultrasound measurement device to optimize a scanning process for scanning a bladder of a user regardless of their body shape. The invention is not limited, however, to the precise embodiments, examples, and variations described. Various changes, modifications and equivalents can be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. It is expressly intended that all such changes, modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the claims are embraced by the claims.

[0075] One or more embodiments are specified in the following paragraphs:1. An ultrasound measurement device comprising: an array of ultrasound sensor elements of at least two different types, each type of sensor element being configured to transmit ultrasound signals at a different frequency, wherein the sensor elements of the different types are arranged in a grid or lattice pattern.2. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 1, wherein the sensor elements of a first type and the sensor elements of a second type are alternately arranged in the pattern.3. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 1, wherein the pattern includesa plurality of first lines and second lines alternately arranged in a first direction and extending along a second direction crossing the first direction, and the sensor elements of a first type are arranged along the first lines, and the sensor elements of a second type are arranged along the second lines.4. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 1, further comprising: a holder by which the array is attachable to a person.5. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 1, wherein the sensor elements of a first type transmit the ultrasound signals at a first frequency and the sensor elements of a second type transmit the ultrasound signals at a second frequency higher than the first frequency.6. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 1, further comprising: a processor configured to control each of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signal.7. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 6, wherein the processor is configured to: generate an image of an object based on the ultrasound signals reflected thereby, and determine a structure of the object using the generated image.8. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 7, wherein the processor is configured to: assign the sensor elements to a plurality of groups that are adjacent to each other in an outward direction with respect to a particular sensor element, and control each of the groups of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signals such that the sensor elements of a group closer or farther to the particular sensor element transmitting the ultrasound signals earlier.9. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 8, wherein the processor is configured to: acquire information indicating a predicted center of the object, determine a sensor element located corresponding to the predicted center of the object as the particular sensor element, and control each of the groups of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signals such that the sensor elements of a group closer to the particular sensor element transmit the ultrasound signals earlier.10. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 8, wherein the processor isconfigured to: determine whether a measurement is erroneous after each of the groups of the sensor elements transmits the ultrasound signals, and upon determining that the measurement is erroneous, assign the sensor elements to new groups, and control each of the different groups of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signals.11. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 10, wherein the processor is configured to, before assigning the sensor elements to the new groups, determine a center of the object based on an image of the object acquired through a previous measurement, and the processor assigns the sensor elements to the new groups based on the determined center of the object.12. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 7, wherein a size of the sensor elements of a first type is larger than a size of the sensor elements of a second type, and the processor is configured to control all of the sensor elements of the first type to transmit the ultrasound signals, and then control all of the sensor elements of the second type to transmit the ultrasounds signals.13. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 7, wherein a size of the sensor elements of a first type is larger than a size of the sensor elements of a second type, and the processor is configured to: (1) control one or more of the sensor elements of the first type to transmit the ultrasound signals, (2) control one or more of the sensor elements of the second type that are adjacent to said one or more of the sensor elements of the first type to transmit the ultrasound signals, and then (3) control one or more of the sensor elements of the first type that are adjacent to said one or more of the sensor elements of the second type to transmit the ultrasound signals.14. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 7, further comprising: a filter circuit configured to filter the ultrasound signals having different frequencies and reflected by the object, wherein the processor is configured to control one or more of the sensor elements of a first type and one or more of the sensor elements of a second type to transmit the ultrasound signals simultaneously.15. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 7, wherein the processor is configured to control two or more of the sensor elements that are not adjacent to each other totransmit the ultrasound signals simultaneously.16. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 7, wherein the processor is configured to: determine one or more sensor elements that have transmitted the ultrasound signals towards the outside of the object, and determine not to use said one or more sensor elements when generating another image of the object.17. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 1, wherein the sensor elements have a same diameter.18. The ultrasound measurement device according to paragraph 1, wherein at least two of the sensor elements transmit the ultrasound signals in different directions.19. A method for determining a structure of an object using an array of ultrasound sensor elements, the method comprising: controlling the sensor elements to transmit ultrasound signals towards the object; determining the structure of the object based on the ultrasound signals reflected thereby; and based on the reflected ultrasound signals, determining one or more of the sensor elements that have transmitted the ultrasound signals towards the outside of the object; and determine not to use said one or more of the sensor elements that have transmitted the ultrasound signals towards the outside of the object for a further determination of the structure of the object.20. A method for determining a structure of an object using an array of ultrasound sensor elements, the method comprising: acquiring information indicating a center of the object; selecting a particular sensor element located corresponding to the center of the object; creating a plurality of groups of the sensor elements such that the groups are adjacent to each other in a radial direction with respect to the particular sensor element; and controlling each of the groups of the sensor elements to transmit ultrasound signals such that the sensor elements of a group closer to the particular sensor element transmit the ultrasound signals earlier.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An ultrasound measurement device comprising: an array of ultrasound sensor elements of at least two different types, each type of sensor element being configured to transmit ultrasound signals at a different frequency, wherein the sensor elements of the different types are arranged in a grid or lattice pattern.

2. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor elements of a first type and the sensor elements of a second type are alternately arranged in the pattern.

3. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern includes a plurality of first lines and second lines alternately arranged in a first direction and extending along a second direction crossing the first direction, and the sensor elements of a first type are arranged along the first lines, and the sensor elements of a second type are arranged along the second lines.

4. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising: a holder by which the array is attachable to a person.

5. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor elements of a first type transmit the ultrasound signals at a first frequency and the sensor elements of a second type transmit the ultrasound signals at a second frequency higher than the first frequency.

6. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising: a processor configured to control each of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signal.

7. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to: generate an image of an object based on the ultrasound signals reflected thereby, and determine a structure of the object using the generated image.

8. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to: assign the sensor elements to a plurality of groups that are adjacent to each other in an outward direction with respect to a particular sensor element, and control each of the groups of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signals such that the sensor elements of a group closer or farther to the particular sensor element transmitting the ultrasound signals earlier.

9. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to: acquire information indicating a predicted center of the object, determine a sensor element located corresponding to the predicted center of the object as the particular sensor element, and control each of the groups of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signals such that the sensor elements of a group closer to the particular sensor element transmit the ultrasound signals earlier.

10. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to: determine whether a measurement is erroneous after each of the groups of the sensor elements transmits the ultrasound signals, and upon determining that the measurement is erroneous, assign the sensor elements to new groups, and control each of the different groups of the sensor elements to transmit the ultrasound signals.

11. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to, before assigning the sensor elements to the new groups, determine a center of the object based on an image of the object acquired through a previous measurement, and the processor assigns the sensor elements to the new groups based on the determined center of the object.

12. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 7, wherein a size of the sensor elements of a first type is larger than a size of the sensor elements of a second type, and the processor is configured to control all of the sensor elements of the first type to transmit the ultrasound signals, and then control all of the sensor elements of the second type to transmit the ultrasounds signals.

13. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 7, wherein a size of the sensor elements of a first type is larger than a size of the sensor elements of a second type, and the processor is configured to:(1) control one or more of the sensor elements of the first type to transmit the ultrasound signals,(2) control one or more of the sensor elements of the second type that are adjacent to said one or more of the sensor elements of the first type to transmit the ultrasound signals, and then(3) control one or more of the sensor elements of the first type that are adjacent to said one or more of the sensor elements of the second type to transmit the ultrasound signals.

14. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 7, further comprising: a filter circuit configured to filter the ultrasound signals having different frequencies and reflected by the object, wherein 1the processor is configured to control one or more of the sensor elements of a first type and one or more of the sensor elements of a second type to transmit the ultrasound signals simultaneously.

15. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to control two or more of the sensor elements that are not adjacent to each other to transmit the ultrasound signals simultaneously.

16. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to: determine one or more sensor elements that have transmitted the ultrasound signals towards the outside of the object, and determine not to use said one or more sensor elements when generating another image of the object.

17. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor elements have a same diameter.

18. The ultrasound measurement device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the sensor elements transmit the ultrasound signals in different directions.

19. A method for determining a structure of an object using an array of ultrasound sensor elements, the method comprising: controlling the sensor elements to transmit ultrasound signals towards the object; determining the structure of the object based on the ultrasound signals reflected thereby; and based on the reflected ultrasound signals, determining one or more of the sensor elements that have transmitted the ultrasound signals towards the outside of the object; anddetermine not to use said one or more of the sensor elements that have transmitted the ultrasound signals towards the outside of the object for a further determination of the structure of the object.

20. A method for determining a structure of an object using an array of ultrasound sensor elements, the method comprising: acquiring information indicating a center of the object; selecting a particular sensor element located corresponding to the center of the object; creating a plurality of groups of the sensor elements such that the groups are adjacent to each other in a radial direction with respect to the particular sensor element; and controlling each of the groups of the sensor elements to transmit ultrasound signals such that the sensor elements of a group closer to the particular sensor element transmit the ultrasound signals earlier.

Images