Ultrasound Probe Cable Support Structure to Prevent Wheel Pinching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging system cable management solutions fail to effectively prevent cable damage when the system is moved, as cables are often displaced and risk being pinched by wheels or lying on the floor.
Innovation Solution
A probe cable support system with a leg and arm design that includes intermittently arranged supports and hooks to securely hold the cable in place, preventing it from touching the floor and ensuring it remains attached to the cart during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cable is left hanging down without support, then the system structure remains simple, but the cable may be damaged by being pinched under wheels or touching the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable support structure with supports and channels as an intermediary element between the cable and the harmful environment (wheels, ground). This mediator physically separates the cable from potential damage sources while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable support structure is divided into multiple discrete supports arranged along the cable path, with each support providing localized protection. The supports are intermittently arranged rather than continuous, reducing material usage while maintaining effectiveness.
2Reliability
If existing cable management solutions are used, then some cable organization is achieved, but the cable is still displaced during system movement and eventually touches the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The cable support structure is designed to automatically maintain cable position without requiring continuous user intervention. The supports and channels work together to self-correct cable displacement during system movement, eliminating the need for users to constantly monitor and adjust cable placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is initially placed into the channels and positioned by the supports at the beginning of system operation. This preliminary positioning action creates a stable configuration that resists displacement during subsequent movement, preventing the need for repeated adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If the cable length is increased to reach from probe to console, then the system functionality is enabled, but the cable hangs down and becomes vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the cable to hang vertically in one dimension, the support structure distributes the cable across multiple spatial dimensions through intermittently arranged supports and channels. This dimensional distribution prevents the cable from concentrating in the vulnerable hanging position and reduces exposure to ground-level hazards.
Data Source
AI summary
A probe cable support (146) includes a leg (202) with a top side (208) and a bottom side (210). The leg further includes a plurality of supports (2161, 2162, . . . , 216N) protruding from the bottom side and intermittently arranged with non-zero gaps there between. The leg further includes an arm (226) protruding from the top side. A system (101) includes an ultrasound imaging system (100) configured with at least one probe (102) and a console (104), a cable (116) configured to electrically connect the probe and the console, a cart (106) configured to support the ultrasound imaging system, and a probe cable support (146) configured to support the cable.