Transient Elastography Probe With Integrated Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transient elastography probes require skilled operators and frequent mechanical calibrations, and struggle to control the real movement of the probe tip when applying transient shear waves, leading to inconsistent measurements due to operator recoil and force application.
Innovation Solution
A VCTE probe design where the ultrasound transducer is bound to the probe casing, eliminating external mechanical parts and allowing the probe casing's movement to directly control the transducer's movement, using a position sensor and control loop to compensate for operator motion and adjust the pulse shape, thereby simplifying operation and reducing calibration needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the probe uses external mechanical mobile parts to control transducer movement, then the movement control is achieved, but the device complexity increases and frequent mechanical calibrations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external mechanical mobile parts from the probe system. Instead of using motors or actuators outside the probe casing to move the transducer, the system binds the transducer to the probe casing and uses internal electromagnetic vibration generation to create the necessary tip movement, thereby eliminating complex external mechanical calibration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical movement control systems with electromagnetic vibration generation. An electromagnetic actuator inside the probe casing generates vibrations that move the probe tip without requiring external mechanical mobile parts, thus reducing device complexity and calibration needs while maintaining movement control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the probe relies on operator skill to control tip movement, then measurement flexibility is maintained, but measurement precision decreases due to operator recoil and force variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a position sensor that measures the actual movement of the probe tip and feeds this information back to a control system. The control system adjusts the electromagnetic actuator's vibration parameters in real-time to compensate for operator-induced movements, ensuring precise and reproducible tip trajectories regardless of operator skill level.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe system automatically compensates for operator recoil and force variations through its integrated position sensing and control loop. The system self-regulates the transducer movement by adjusting vibration parameters based on real-time position feedback, eliminating the need for skilled manual control while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the probe uses traditional VCTE design with separate actuator and transducer, then functional versatility is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuator and transducer functions into a single integrated unit where the transducer is bound to the probe casing. The electromagnetic actuator generates vibrations that directly move the entire probe assembly, eliminating the need for precise geometric alignment between separate actuator and transducer components while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities.
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
Enables easier and more reproducible stiffness measurements by directly controlling the transducer's movement and pulse shape, reducing operator dependency and eliminating the need for frequent mechanical calibrations, resulting in more accurate viscoelastic property assessments.
Implementation Method 1
the measure of the liver stiffness relies on the measure of a transient shear wave propagation speed inside the tissue
Implementation Method 2
The displacement generated by the propagating shear wave is probed by sending high frequency ultrasound short pulses or shots inside the medium
Implementation Method 3
the Fibroscan® probe comes with a motion sensor capable of measuring the displacement of the probe tip with respect to the probe casing, for example a Hall effect position sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A probe for transient elastography includes a probe casing, at least one ultrasound transducer having a symmetry axis, a vibrator located inside the probe casing, a position sensor coupled to the probe casing, the position sensor being arranged to measure the displacement of the probe, wherein the vibrator is arranged to induce a movement of the probe casing along a predefined axis, the predefined axis being the symmetry axis of the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is bound to the probe casing with no motion of the ultrasound transducer with respect to the probe casing, and the probe includes a feedback circuit including the position sensor and a control loop and configured to use the displacement of the probe as a feedback signal and to control the movement of the vibrator inside the probe casing and the shape of a low frequency pulse applied by the probe.