Ultrasonic Probe Contact-Surface Imaging for Automated Element Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses struggle to accurately determine the state of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe, particularly when echo jelly or other substances adhere to the probe, necessitating manual management by service engineers and preventing automated determination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a camera and image processing system within the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to capture and analyze the contact surface of the probe, using pattern matching and AI for determining the presence of foreign substances and enabling automated probe-element checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual management by service engineers is used to determine probe contact surface state, then determination accuracy is maintained, but automation is lost and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus automatically determines the contact surface state of the probe without requiring service engineers. The system uses its own camera and image processing capabilities to perform self-diagnosis, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual inspection process by service engineers is replaced with an automated optical detection system. A camera captures images of the contact surface, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze the images to determine the state of the contact surface, substituting human mechanical inspection with automated optical-mechanical systems.
2Measurement precision
If echo jelly adheres to the probe contact surface, then probe-element check accuracy deteriorates, but manual cleaning requirements increase operational burden
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the contact surface state before the probe-element check is executed. By capturing an image of the contact surface and analyzing it in advance, the system identifies the presence of echo jelly or other substances, allowing users to clean the probe before performing the actual element check, thereby ensuring accurate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying the captured image of the contact surface to the user. This feedback mechanism allows users to see the actual state of the contact surface and understand why the probe-element check cannot be performed accurately, prompting them to clean the surface and retry the measurement.
3Productivity
If automated image processing is implemented, then determination speed increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a camera as an intermediary device to capture the contact surface state, converting visual information into digital images that can be processed automatically. This intermediary approach enables automated determination without requiring complex direct sensing mechanisms, balancing productivity improvement with acceptable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a contact-surface determination apparatus includes processing circuitry. This processing circuitry acquires an image depicting a contact surface of a ultrasonic probe, and determines a state of the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe on the basis of the acquired image.