Dematerialized Multi-User Ultrasound Imaging with Containerized Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging systems face challenges with bandwidth limitations and transmission speed issues in wireless communication between probes and processing units, as well as the practical implementation of a mature device for medical use, particularly when multiple probes are operating simultaneously on different patients.
Innovation Solution
A multi-user system with a distributed hardware architecture that includes ultrasound probes, local processing units, and a central processing unit, utilizing containerized virtualization and advanced beamforming techniques to distribute processing steps across these units, reducing data transmission requirements and optimizing bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used between ultrasound probes and processing units, then ease of operation is improved, but bandwidth limitations and transmission speed issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing system into multiple distributed processing units, each capable of independently processing ultrasound data from different probes. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple data streams simultaneously, increasing overall transmission speed and bandwidth utilization without compromising wireless ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from centralized processing to a distributed three-dimensional processing architecture where processing units are spatially distributed throughout the system. This dimensional change enables multiple data transmission pathways and parallel processing channels, effectively increasing bandwidth and transmission speed while maintaining wireless connectivity
2Productivity
If multiple ultrasound probes operate simultaneously on different patients, then productivity is improved, but bandwidth limitations prevent effective data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission load by assigning different probes to different distributed processing units. Each processing unit handles data from one or more probes independently, allowing multiple probes to operate simultaneously without overwhelming a single communication channel, thus enabling high productivity within bandwidth constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces distributed processing units as intermediary devices between ultrasound probes and the central system. These intermediaries perform preliminary data processing and filtering locally, reducing the volume of data that needs to be transmitted wirelessly over the network, thereby enabling multiple probes to operate simultaneously within available bandwidth
3Device complexity
If centralized processing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission speed and bandwidth utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized processing function into multiple distributed processing units that maintain a standardized interface. This segmentation preserves architectural simplicity through uniform communication protocols while enabling parallel processing and faster data transmission across multiple channels
Data Source
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AI summary
In a dematerialized ultrasound system, i.e. comprising a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals and a generic processing hardware made of one or more distributed processing units, the functions relating to the processing steps for the generation and processing of the images they are in the form of software programs that encode instructions for the aforementioned generic hardware which make it capable of executing said processing steps. In order to make the computational and data interchange burden less heavy between the units of the distributed architecture of the system and to make the distribution of processing steps more flexible between one or more of the components of the distributed system, the programs are created under form of applications included in containers managed by a management engine of said containers.