Ultrasonic Probe Adapter with Integrated Marker and Wiper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face difficulties in reproducing imaging of the same region without marking, leading to reduced operability and accuracy when marking is performed with one hand, as users must simultaneously handle the probe and a medical marker.
Innovation Solution
A probe adapter with a detachable marker and wiper is integrated into the ultrasonic probe, allowing for efficient marking and removal of ultrasonic medium on the skin surface, enabling one-handed operation and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If marking is performed with the non-dominant hand while holding the ultrasonic probe with the dominant hand, then marking can be performed on the skin surface, but operability of the ultrasonic probe, marking efficiency, and marking accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is integrated into the ultrasonic probe assembly, allowing the marker and probe to function as a unified tool. This merging enables the user to perform both ultrasonic imaging and marking operations with a single device, eliminating the need to switch between separate tools and significantly improving operational efficiency and marking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic probe assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: ultrasonic wave transmission for imaging and marking on the skin surface. By incorporating the marker directly into the probe assembly, the system achieves multi-functionality, allowing a single device to accomplish both diagnostic imaging and positional marking tasks that previously required separate tools
2Measurement precision
If marking is performed with the non-dominant hand, then marking can be performed on the skin surface, but marking accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the marker and ultrasonic probe into a single integrated assembly, the invention ensures that the marking action occurs precisely at the location where the ultrasonic probe is positioned. This integration eliminates the coordination errors that occur when using separate tools, guaranteeing that marks are placed accurately on the skin surface corresponding to the imaged region
3Productivity
If a detachable marker and wiper are integrated into the ultrasonic probe, then one-handed operation is enabled and marking efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe adapter is designed as a detachable module that can be attached to or removed from the ultrasonic probe. The marker and wiper are configured as separate but integrated components within the adapter assembly, allowing for easy cleaning, replacement, or sterilization of individual parts without affecting the entire ultrasonic probe system
Solution Approach 2:
The probe adapter serves as an intermediary component between the ultrasonic probe and the marker/wiper assembly. This intermediate structure allows the marker and wiper to be integrated into the probe system while maintaining the ability to detach and clean them separately, thus managing complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a probe adapter includes: a holder configured to be detachably attached to an ultrasonic probe; a marker configured to be disposed at a predetermined position in an array direction of the ultrasonic probe and mark a surface of an object which the ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with, under a state where the holder is attached to the ultrasonic probe; and a wiper configured to remove an ultrasonic medium coated on the surface of an object.