Doppler Ultrasound Probe for Automatic Blood Vessel Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In emerging market countries, there is a shortage of specialists to perform ultrasound Doppler exams, and existing ultrasound devices are expensive and require skilled personnel, making it difficult to access and afford effective fetal monitoring for high-risk pregnancies.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, handheld, stand-alone Doppler-based ultrasound probe with a non-phased two-dimensional transducer array that automatically identifies and labels blood vessels without requiring interpretation of ultrasound images, using fewer transducer elements to reduce cost and increase accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound Doppler exams are performed using standard equipment and manual methods, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity and cost increase, and ease of operation decreases due to requiring skilled personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification of blood vessels by automatically analyzing Doppler waveforms and comparing them against a database of characteristic patterns. The processor autonomously determines vessel identity without requiring manual interpretation by skilled operators, enabling the device to serve itself in the critical function of vessel identification while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
A database of characteristic Doppler waveform patterns for different blood vessels is pre-established and stored in memory before actual examinations. This preliminary preparation of reference data allows the system to rapidly identify vessels during exams by comparing real-time measurements against pre-stored patterns, reducing the need for complex real-time analysis algorithms
2Measurement precision
If manual vessel identification and sample volume setting are used, then measurement accuracy can be ensured, but productivity decreases due to requiring skilled operators and increasing examination time
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies blood vessels and sets sample volumes without human intervention. The processor analyzes Doppler waveforms, compares them against stored characteristic patterns, and autonomously determines both vessel identity and optimal sample volume placement, eliminating the need for skilled operators to perform these tasks manually
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors Doppler waveform characteristics and provides feedback to automatically adjust sample volume positioning and orientation. By comparing real-time waveform quality against expected patterns, the system self-corrects suboptimal measurements and maintains accuracy while increasing throughput
3Ease of manufacture
If fewer transducer elements are used to reduce cost, then ease of manufacture and accessibility improve, but measurement precision and image quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical/image-based vessel identification methods with electronic/Doppler-based waveform analysis. By substituting visual interpretation with automated spectral analysis of Doppler signals, the system achieves accurate vessel identification using simpler transducer arrays, reducing the need for high-element-count phased arrays while maintaining measurement precision
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 device provides efficient and accurate Doppler velocimetry for monitoring high-risk pregnancies, reducing the need for skilled operators and lowering costs, while maintaining reliability and reducing examination time.
Implementation Method 1
assessment of maternal and fetal blood vessel flows using ultrasound Doppler
Implementation Method 2
Duplex ultrasound scanners provide ultrasound pulsed wave Doppler
Data Source
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AI summary
A device is configured for interrogating a blood vessel to derive flow characteristics (S628) and for, responsive to the deriving and based on the derived characteristics, anatomically identifying the vessel. A spatial map of the vessels may be generated based on the interrogating, and specifically the Doppler power computed from data acquired in the interrogating. Subsequent interrogating (S668) may occur, based on the map and on a user-selected set of vessels and/or vessel categories, to derive clinical Doppler indices. The device can be designed to automatically set a sample volume (509) for the subsequent interrogating, and to operate automatically from the user selection to display of the indices. The display may further include an image (524) of the vessels summoned by the set, annotated by their individual anatomical names, and optionally a diagnosis relating to blood flow. The displayed image may be enlarged to zoom in on the user's onscreen selection. The device may feature a two-dimensional ultrasound non-phased array of transducer elements.