Impulse Drive Display for Ultrasonic Imaging Power Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in displaying moving images of rapidly moving tissues and organs in real time while maintaining low power consumption, especially in portable devices.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs an ultrasonic probe with plural transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, coupled with an impulse drive type display unit that processes reception signals to generate and display ultrasonic images, optimizing power usage by adjusting the blanking period in the display unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional display is used in ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, then power consumption is higher, but response time for displaying rapidly moving tissues is slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit employs an impulse drive type display that updates images periodically at optimized intervals rather than continuously. This periodic updating at critical moments maintains image quality for rapidly moving tissues while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous display operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts display parameters including blanking period length and image update frequency based on the motion characteristics of the observed tissues. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to respond quickly to rapid tissue movement when necessary while entering lower-power states during stable observation periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If continuous image display is used, then moving images of rapidly moving tissues are clearer, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous full-frame image display, the system applies partial action by updating only necessary image regions or using reduced-resolution displays during stable periods. This maintains sufficient image clarity for diagnostic purposes while consuming less power than full continuous high-resolution display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The display updates images periodically at optimized intervals rather than continuously. This periodic updating maintains image quality for rapidly moving tissues while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous display operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If display blanking period is extended for power saving, then power consumption decreases, but image blurring increases for rapidly moving tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from tissue motion detection to adjust display timing parameters. When rapid tissue movement is detected, the system reduces blanking periods or increases update frequency to prevent image blurring. When tissue is stable, the system extends blanking periods to save power, creating an adaptive feedback-controlled display system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This configuration enables real-time display of moving images with reduced power consumption, minimizing image blurring and improving display performance for rapidly moving tissues and organs, while allowing for adjustable brightness and energy-saving modes.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic probe including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves toward an object to be inspected according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes propagating from the object to output reception signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a display unit including a display of an impulse drive type for displaying the ultrasonic images based on the image signals generated by the image generating means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS8360981B2Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Publication Date: 2013.01.29 FUJIFILM SONOSITE INC

AI summary

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which moving images of rapidly moving tissues and organs can be preferably displayed in real time and the lower power consumption can be achieved. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves toward an object to be inspected according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes propagating from the object to output reception signals, an image generating unit for supplying the drive signals to the ultrasonic probe and processing the reception signals outputted from the ultrasonic probe to generate image signals representing ultrasonic images, and a display unit including a display of an impulse drive type for displaying the ultrasonic images based on the image signals generated by the image generating unit.