Ultrasonic Bladder Scanner with Rotating Transducer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnosis apparatuses for the urinary bladder are large and heavy, making them inconvenient for portability, and existing methods for measuring urine volume in the bladder are inaccurate due to reliance on two-dimensional ultrasonic images, which can lead to significant errors and user interference.
Innovation Solution
A portable ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus with two stepping motors and a transducer that rotates in multiple directions to collect ultrasonic information from multiple planes, allowing for accurate measurement of urine volume using a preliminary scan mode for quick location detection and a scan mode for detailed volume calculation, employing correction coefficients to account for displacement from the bladder center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic diagnosis apparatuses are used, then urine volume measurement can be performed, but the apparatus size becomes large and weight increases, making portability difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from conventional ultrasonic apparatuses, retaining only the essential elements (transducer, motor, control unit) required for bladder scanning and volume calculation. This selective extraction enables miniaturization while preserving core measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D plane scanning to 3D multi-planar scanning by adding rotational capability to the transducer. This dimensional enhancement allows accurate volume calculation through spherical coordinate integration, achieving precise measurement in a compact form factor.
2Ease of operation
If conventional 2D ultrasonic image methods are used, then scanning is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to considerable error rates and different results for different users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the control unit processes ultrasonic signals from multiple planes, automatically calculates volume using integration algorithms, and displays results. This eliminates manual measurement errors and ensures consistent, accurate results regardless of user skill level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameters from 2D area-based calculations to 3D volume integration using spherical coordinates. By scanning multiple planes at different angles and integrating the data mathematically, the system achieves high measurement accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated ultrasonic equipment with two ultrasonic images is used, then urine volume measurement can be performed, but user interference increases as users must find the greatest area and select it manually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to perform measurements autonomously. The control unit automatically acquires ultrasonic data from multiple planes, processes the signals, calculates volume using integration algorithms, and displays results without requiring user intervention for area selection or measurement judgment. The system serves itself by completing the entire measurement workflow automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary scanning of multiple planes before final volume calculation. The system pre-acquires data from several angular positions, processes this preliminary information through automated algorithms, and then generates the final measurement result. This preliminary multi-planar data collection eliminates the need for users to manually search for the greatest area.
4Measurement precision
If multi-plane scanning is implemented, then measurement accuracy improves, but scanning time increases and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic scanning where the motor rotates the transducer to predetermined angular positions in a systematic sequence. By scanning multiple planes at regular angular intervals (e.g., every 30 degrees) and integrating the data periodically, the system achieves accurate 3D volume measurement while maintaining efficient, repeatable scanning cycles that minimize total measurement time.
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 apparatus provides accurate and quick detection of the urinary bladder location and urine volume, minimizing user interference and error, with a compact design suitable for portable applications, using multiple planes for precise volume measurement and correction coefficients for accurate results.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic system is a system that emits ultrasonic signals to an object to be examined using the piezoelectric effect of a transducer, receives the ultrasonic signals reflected from the discontinuous planes of the object
Implementation Method 2
emits ultrasonic signals to an object to be examined using the piezoelectric effect of a transducer, receives the ultrasonic signals reflected from the discontinuous planes of the object, converts the received ultrasonic signals into electrical signals
Data Source
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Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus and method for the urinary bladder. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus has a preliminary scan mode and a scan mode. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus first operates in the preliminary scan mode and operates in the scan mode after accurately detecting the location of the urinary bladder, thus measuring the amount of urine in the urinary bladder. When operating in the preliminary scan mode, the ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus receives pieces of ultrasonic information of n scan lines for a single plane, and acquires and displays an image for a corresponding plane using the pieces of received ultrasonic information. When operating in the scan mode, the ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus sequentially receives pieces of ultrasonic information of n scan lines for each of m planes from a transducer, and calculates the amount of urine in the urinary bladder using the pieces of received ultrasonic information. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to the present invention operates in the preliminary scan mode, so that the location of the urinary bladder can be quickly and accurately detected, therefore the amount of urine in the urinary bladder also can be quickly and accurately detected.