Removable Touch Panel for Remote Ultrasound Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of ultrasound imaging systems face challenges in accessing and adjusting image parameters when performing complex scans, as they often need to move a large cart-based system or navigate around obstacles, limiting their ability to control the system when out of arm's reach.
Innovation Solution
A removable touch panel that can be undocked from the ultrasound imaging system, providing a secondary display with a graphical user interface optimized for remote control, allowing clinicians to access essential functions such as scan mode selection, image saving, and measurement functions, while maintaining wireless communication and power transfer, and featuring a proximity detector to ensure secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ultrasound imaging system is kept within arm's reach of the operator, then the operator can easily access and adjust image parameters, but the system requires moving a large cart-based system or navigating around obstacles during complex scans
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into two parts: a fixed primary interface on the cart-based system and a removable touch panel that can be separated and positioned independently. This allows the control interface to be detached from the bulky system, enabling operators to place the touch panel within easy reach while keeping the main system stationary.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel is extracted from the main cart-based system as a separate, portable component. This extracted interface can be removed from the cart and positioned anywhere within the examination area, allowing operators to access controls without moving the entire heavy system or navigating around obstacles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operator moves to different locations around the patient during complex exams, then the operator can perform comprehensive imaging, but the exam table or other obstacles may prevent access to the user interface
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel is designed as a dynamic, repositionable interface that can be moved to different locations around the patient based on the operator's position and examination requirements. This dynamic positioning capability allows the operator to maintain access to controls while moving freely around the patient without being constrained by the fixed cart location or obstacles like the exam table.
3Ease of operation
If a removable touch panel is provided for remote control, then the operator can control the system beyond arm's reach, but additional functionality may be required to match the primary interface
Solution Approach 1:
The removable touch panel is designed as a universal interface that provides access to essential imaging functions regardless of the operator's position. It includes core controls for image acquisition, parameter adjustment, and navigation, making it a multi-functional device that can operate independently from the primary interface while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
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
Enables clinicians to efficiently control and adjust ultrasound imaging parameters remotely, improving workflow and image quality by allowing operation beyond arm's reach without additional assistance, while ensuring secure and sterile operation.
Implementation Method 1
The removable touch panel may be configured to receive a wireless power transfer from the ultrasound imaging system while docked. In some embodiments, the wireless power transfer is performed by induction.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound transducer configured to transmit ultrasound waves into an exam site and receive therefrom echo signals; an image processor configured to generate an ultrasound image from the received echo signals; a primary display configured to display the ultrasound image generated by the image processor; and a removable touch panel comprising a secondary display configured to display a first graphical user interface comprising controls for accessing a first set of functions of the ultrasound imaging system while the removable touch panel is docked with the ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, the removable touch panel, in response to being undocked from the ultrasound imaging system, is configured to automatically replace the first graphical user interface with a second graphical user interface optimized for remote control of ultrasound imaging system, wherein the second graphical user interface comprises a display area configured to display the generated ultrasound image and a control area comprising controls for accessing a second set of functions of the ultrasound imaging system.