Sterile Ultrasound Probe Button Reconfiguration for Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable medical imaging devices face challenges related to patient care, safety, and hygiene, particularly in maintaining sterility and conserving power during prolonged procedures, which existing systems do not adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an improved user interface (UI) system for portable medical imaging devices that detects suspension of use and enters a low-power mode, reconfiguring a UI button to act as a wake-up control, allowing clinicians to conserve power and reduce thermal output without compromising sterility, by using a power control module and reconfiguration module to manage power states and UI functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the imaging device operates continuously to provide imaging functionality, then the imaging function is maintained, but battery power is depleted faster and thermal output increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidimaging function availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically enters low-power mode after detecting a period of inactivity (e.g., 30 seconds), proactively conserving battery power before depletion becomes critical. The sterile button is pre-configured to trigger wake-up from low-power mode, ensuring imaging functionality is rapidly restored when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically transitions between two operational states: full-power imaging mode and low-power sleep mode. The power state is not static but adapts based on usage patterns, automatically switching to conserve energy during idle periods while maintaining full functionality when activated by the sterile button.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If the device enters low-power mode to conserve battery, then battery life is extended, but the device cannot perform imaging operations until awakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddevice activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sterile button serves dual functions: it acts as a standard control button during normal operation and as a wake-up button when the device is in low-power mode. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate buttons for different operational states, maintaining ease of operation while enabling power conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically manages its own power state transitions without requiring user intervention. The power control module monitors usage and autonomously enters/exits low-power mode based on detected inactivity periods, reducing the cognitive burden on clinicians while extending battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If control buttons are provided for power management, then power control is enabled, but sterility is compromised as buttons become non-sterile surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower controlVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sterile button is designed to maintain sterility while providing multiple control functions. It serves as both a standard imaging control button and a wake-up button for low-power mode, eliminating the need for separate non-sterile power buttons and maintaining sterility throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The wake-up function is extracted from the standard control button and reconfigured based on device state. Rather than adding a separate button, the system repurposes the existing sterile button's functionality dynamically, keeping the button surface sterile while enabling power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If the device remains in operational mode during prolonged sterile procedures, then imaging operations can be performed immediately, but thermal output increases and patient comfort decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging operation readinessVSAvoidthermal output

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device proactively enters low-power mode after detecting inactivity during sterile procedures, reducing thermal output before it becomes a patient comfort issue. The sterile button is pre-configured to rapidly restore imaging functionality when needed, ensuring productivity is not compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device implements periodic monitoring of usage patterns and automatically transitions between power states. During sterile procedures, it maintains full power when imaging is active, then transitions to low-power mode during idle periods, creating a rhythmic pattern that balances thermal management with operational readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20230255591A1User Interface for Ultrasound Imaging System

Publication Date: 2023.08.17 BFLY OPERATIONS

AI summary

User interfaces for medical imaging devices, including devices with hand-held probes used in sterile imaging procedures, and wherein the user interface includes a user-interface button on the hand-held probe and a reconfiguration module operates to reconfigure the button so that the button performs more than one function and can be reconfigured to operate as a control that controls imaging operations and as a control that controls power mode.