Ultrasound-Guided Puncture Imaging With Auto-Oriented Optical View

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face difficulties in intuitively and easily adjusting the orientation of optical images displayed alongside ultrasound images during puncture procedures, particularly when the user is occupied with holding the probe and needle, making manual operation inputs cumbersome and impractical.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus integrates an ultrasound image generator, an optical image capturer, and a hardware processor to automatically set the orientation of the optical image such that the user's position is displayed on the lower side, allowing simultaneous display of ultrasound and optical images with the user's position aligned correctly without manual operation inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation input is used to adjust optical image orientation, then the orientation can be changed according to user preference, but the user cannot perform operation input when holding the ultrasound probe and puncture needle with both hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical image orientation adjustmentVSAvoiduser operability during puncture procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the user's position in the optical image and autonomously adjusts the optical image orientation so that the user appears on the lower side of the display. This eliminates the need for manual operation input, allowing the system to serve itself by adapting to the user's position without requiring hand operations during the puncture procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the user is required to perform operation input for changing optical image orientation, then precise orientation control is achieved, but the user cannot perform operations when far from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical image orientation controlVSAvoiduser accessibility to control interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction between the user and the control interface with an automatic detection and control system. The hardware processor detects the user's position in the optical image and automatically adjusts the orientation, eliminating the need for the user to physically interact with the apparatus main body regardless of their distance from it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If automatic user position detection is implemented, then the optical image orientation is automatically adjusted without manual input, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical image orientation settingVSAvoidimage processing and user detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical image capturing system serves multiple functions: it captures the puncture procedure visualization and simultaneously detects the user's position for automatic orientation adjustment. By making the optical imaging system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated detection devices, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving automatic orientation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration enables intuitive and effortless adjustment of the optical image orientation, reducing user load and facilitating precise puncture procedures by aligning the user's position on the lower side, thus enhancing the ease and accuracy of puncture techniques.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

an optical camera attached to an ultrasound probe that optically images puncture of a puncture needle into the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS20250352181A1Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, image display method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including: an ultrasound image generator that generates ultrasound image data from reception signals of an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject; an optical image capturer that generates optical image data by optically imaging puncture into the subject using a puncture needle; and a hardware processor that simultaneously displays an ultrasound image of the ultrasound image data and a reference image based on the optical image data, detects a position of a user in an optical image of the optical image data, and sets an orientation of the reference image to be displayed so that the detected position of the user is located on a lower side.