Camera-Aided Ultrasound Scan Setup and Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultrasound imaging systems require manual setup and adjustment by users, which is time-consuming and inefficient, as they need to enter patient information, select system settings, and perform various procedural tasks during exams.

Innovation Solution

The system uses an optical camera to capture images of the ultrasound exam environment, analyze them in real-time to build a spatial exam model, and automatically adjust settings based on identified user, patient, and probe models, reducing the need for manual input and streamlining the exam process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If manual setup and adjustment by user is used, then system control flexibility is maintained, but preparation and scanning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation and scanning timeVSAvoidmanual setup requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs setup and adjustment functions without requiring manual user input. The camera captures images, the processor analyzes them to identify patients and probes, and the system automatically configures exam settings, thereby making the system serve itself rather than requiring continuous user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (user physically entering data, adjusting settings) with an automated optical-mechanical system. A camera captures visual information, which is then processed by a computer system to automatically configure the ultrasound exam parameters, substituting human manual operations with an automated vision-based control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated camera-based setup is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan throughputVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device between the user and the ultrasound system. Instead of directly interacting with complex system settings, the user simply positions the probe while the camera captures images that the processor analyzes to automatically determine exam parameters, thereby simplifying user interaction while maintaining automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If real-time image analysis is performed, then automation extent increases, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic settings adjustmentVSAvoidprocessing power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs real-time image analysis only to the extent necessary for automatic configuration. The processor analyzes key features in camera images (patient identification, probe position) and adjusts settings accordingly, performing sufficient automation to reduce manual input without continuously analyzing all image data at maximum processing intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11607200B2Methods and system for camera-aided ultrasound scan setup and control

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting settings of an ultrasound exam based on monitoring of the exam with an optical camera. One example method includes acquiring images of an ultrasound exam via a camera, analyzing the acquired images in real-time to build a spatial exam model, and adjusting settings of the ultrasound exam in real-time based on the spatial exam model.