Medical Probe Ultrasonic Light Unit Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In imaging apparatuses for diagnosis, deviations in scanning positions between ultrasonic and light transmitting and receiving units within a blood vessel occur due to their different sizes and alignment requirements, affecting the accuracy of tomographic imaging.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic and light transmitting and receiving units are arranged with a specific angular difference and distance to match their scanning positions, ensuring simultaneous and synchronized scanning within the blood vessel, even during rotary and axial movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit and light transmitting and receiving unit are arranged inside a probe, then it is possible to generate both ultrasonic wave tomographic image and light tomographic image, but scanning position deviation occurs between the two imaging modalities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual imaging capabilityVSAvoidscanning position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension of control by arranging the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit and light transmitting and receiving unit at different angular positions (azimuth angles) around the probe axis. This angular separation allows independent positioning of each imaging unit while maintaining their functional integration within the same probe, thereby resolving the scanning position deviation problem between the two imaging modalities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If transmitting and receiving units are arranged with different angular positions, then scanning position matching can be achieved, but the structural complexity of the probe increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning position matchingVSAvoidprobe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the transmitting and receiving unit into functionally independent modules: an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit and a light transmitting and receiving unit, each positioned at specific angular intervals around the probe axis. This modular segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system integration, thus achieving scanning position matching without excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 arrangement allows for accurate and synchronized generation of tomographic images, enhancing the observation of the same position within the blood vessel, reducing the impact of pulsation and ensuring effective observation of plaque and other properties.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave transmission and reception: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

a light transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting and receiving light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission and reception: Light

Implementation Method 3

An ultrasonic wave and light are transmitted while the transmitting and receiving unit rotates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational scanning:

Data Source

PatentEP2832303B1Probe and diagnostic imaging device
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 TERUMO KK
  • EP2832303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2832303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2832303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is possible to observe the same position in an imaging apparatus for diagnosis. According to the present invention, a probe includes a transmitting and receiving unit 221 in which an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit 310 and a light transmitting and receiving unit 320 are arranged. The ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit 310 and the light transmitting and receiving unit 320 are arranged along an axial direction. A distance L [mm] between a position of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit 310 in the axial direction and a position of the light transmitting and receiving unit 320 in the axial direction, and the angular difference θ [degrees] between a transmit direction of an ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit 310 and a transmit direction of light of the light transmitting and receiving unit 320 satisfy a relationship of L = V/ω × θ/360 when having a rotary velocity ω [r/s] of the transmitting and receiving unit 221 and a movement velocity V [mm/s] of the transmitting and receiving unit 221 in the axial direction.