Replaceable Ultrasound Probe Attachment With Targeted Gel Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound probe attachments complicate handling, require excessive contact medium, and impair signal quality due to additional boundary surfaces and uneven distribution, posing risks of germ transmission and inconsistent disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A replaceable attachment with a flexible membrane and controlled contact medium distribution, where the array region has twice the contact medium of the remaining region, matching the piezo array, and uses a fastening mechanism for secure, hygienic, and efficient attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterile tubular cover with a compartment containing contact medium is used, then germ transmission is prevented, but handling is complicated and a relatively large quantity of contact medium is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable sterile attachment that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures and repeated handling of sterilization materials. The attachment includes a sterile barrier and contact medium compartment that is discarded after one patient examination, ensuring germ transmission prevention while simplifying handling through a single-use design.
2Quantity of substance
If a vessel for contact gel with openings is used, then contact gel distribution is improved, but two additional boundary surfaces are created which impair ultrasonic signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane instead of a rigid vessel with openings. The membrane can be made substantially acoustically transparent or with a acoustic window that minimizes signal impairment while still containing and distributing the contact gel. This flexible structure eliminates the boundary surface problem caused by rigid vessels while maintaining effective gel distribution across the contact surface.
3Quantity of substance
If a relatively large amount of gel is contained in the vessel, then sufficient wetting of contact surfaces is ensured, but signal quality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements non-uniform distribution of contact medium within the attachment, with different quantities or viscosities in different regions. The contact medium is concentrated in areas where it is most needed for optimal ultrasonic coupling, rather than uniformly distributed throughout a large volume. This local optimization ensures sufficient wetting at the contact interface while minimizing the total amount of gel that could impair signal quality.
4Ease of operation
If the contact medium is distributed uniformly over the contact surface, then handling is simplified, but signal quality is reduced due to excessive contact medium in non-array regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements non-uniform distribution of contact medium within the attachment, with different quantities or viscosities in different regions. The contact medium is concentrated in areas where it is most needed for optimal ultrasonic coupling, rather than uniformly distributed throughout a large volume. This local optimization ensures sufficient wetting at the contact interface while minimizing the total amount of gel that could impair signal quality.
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
Ensures simple handling, reduces contact medium usage, maintains high signal quality, and prevents germ transmission by ensuring consistent and reliable contact medium distribution, enhancing image stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The probe comprises an ultrasound head for generating ultrasonic waves... They are coupled into the human or animal body via an end face of the ultrasound head
Implementation Method 2
To ensure that the ultrasonic waves are coupled into the body, use is conventionally made of a contact medium, e.g. a hydrogel, which is applied to the end face of the ultrasound probe
Data Source
AI summary
A replaceable attachment for an ultrasound probe includes a ring-like fastening region for fastening the attachment to the ultrasound probe, and a flexible membrane arranged on the fastening region. A first liquid or gel-like contact medium is applied to an inner contact surface of the membrane. The contact surface makes contact with an end face of the ultrasound probe when an attachment is fastened to the ultrasound probe. Before the attachment is fastened, the first contact medium is distributed on the contact surface in such a manner that, in an array region of the contact surface, a quantity of the first contact medium per surface is at least twice as large as in a remaining region of the contact surface. A positioning and extent of the array region is adapted to a positioning and extent of a piezo array of the ultrasound probe.