Medical Acoustic Coupler Loop Fixing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical acoustic couplers lose fixing power over time due to decreased adhesive force, requiring frequent replacement even if ultrasound transmission characteristics remain intact.
Innovation Solution
A medical acoustic coupler with a sheet-like elastic member featuring a contact portion and loop portions that hook around a protruding portion of the ultrasonic probe, ensuring secure attachment without the need for additional fixing tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gel-like layer with adhesive force is used to attach the acoustic coupler to the ultrasonic probe, then the coupler can be initially fixed securely, but the adhesive force decreases after multiple uses or due to dust accumulation, causing the coupler to detach or require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic coupler is divided into a reusable body portion and a replaceable adhesive portion (acoustic coupler sheet). The adhesive portion can be detached and replaced without discarding the entire coupler, allowing the non-adhesive parts to be reused while refreshing the adhesive capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive portion (acoustic coupler sheet) is designed to be disposable or replaceable, while the main body of the acoustic coupler is recovered and reused. This separates the consumable adhesive function from the durable structural function.
2Ease of operation
If the acoustic coupler is designed with a fixed adhesive structure, then it can be attached to the ultrasonic probe, but it cannot be easily removed and reattached multiple times without losing adhesive effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic coupler is segmented into a reusable body and a replaceable adhesive sheet, enabling easy removal and reattachment by simply replacing the adhesive portion rather than the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive portion is designed as a lower-cost, replaceable component that can be easily discarded and replaced, while the main acoustic coupler body remains a durable, reusable instrument.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The coupler maintains its fixing power after multiple uses, preventing detachment from the ultrasonic probe and allowing for easy reusability and cost-effective maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet-like elastic member... the loop portions each forming a loop... when the elastic member is attached to the ultrasonic probe, the loop portions are hooked around the protruding portion
Implementation Method 2
a contact portion located at a central portion of the elastic member in a planar view, the contact portion being brought into contact with an ultrasound transmission/reception surface
Data Source
AI summary
A medical acoustic coupler is to be detachably attached to an ultrasonic probe including a graspable trunk portion and a protruding portion protruding in a width direction from the trunk portion, the medical acoustic coupler including a sheet-like elastic member, the elastic member including: a contact portion located at a central portion of the elastic member in a planar view, the contact portion being brought into contact with an ultrasound transmission/reception surface located at a top edge of the protruding portion when the elastic member is attached to the ultrasonic probe; and loop portions located on the opposite sides of the contact portion from each other, the loop portions each forming a loop, wherein, when the elastic member is attached to the ultrasonic probe, the loop portions are hooked around the protruding portion, to fix the elastic member to the ultrasonic probe.