Ultrasonic Bone Evaluation with Temperature Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic bone evaluation methods face inefficiencies due to temperature variations affecting ultrasound speed measurements, requiring lengthy waiting times and complex calculations, and are uncomfortable and hygienically challenging for examinees.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic bone evaluation apparatus with temperature-measuring units and processors to correct ultrasound speed measurements based on body part temperature, using standoffs with ultrasonic transducers and a support mechanism to minimize temperature impact and reduce measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the examinee waits in a well-heated waiting room for a long time before measurement, then the temperature-related variations in ultrasound speed measurements are reduced, but the measurement efficiency is reduced due to long waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-warming the acoustic matching gel to a temperature close to body temperature before measurement. This prepares the temperature condition in advance, eliminating the need for long waiting periods while ensuring accurate measurements from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the acoustic matching gel from ambient temperature to near-body temperature. This parameter change ensures that the gel temperature matches the heel temperature, eliminating temperature-induced measurement errors without requiring long acclimatization periods.
2Loss of time
If the temperature of the acoustic matching medium is corrected based on the temperature of the acoustic matching medium, then the measurement time is reduced, but the ultrasound speed variations through the heel due to temperature changes cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the acoustic matching gel as an intermediary medium whose temperature is controlled to match the body part temperature. By measuring and controlling the gel temperature rather than directly measuring the difficult-to-access heel temperature, the system achieves accurate temperature compensation without extending measurement time.
3Measurement precision
If the body part is placed in acoustic matching liquid in a vessel, then good repeatability is achieved, but the examinee experiences discomfort and hygienic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of temperature control and acoustic matching from the liquid medium, applying these properties to a gel-based system. This extraction allows maintaining measurement repeatability while eliminating the discomfort and hygiene problems associated with liquid immersion.
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
The apparatus achieves high accuracy in bone evaluation with reduced temperature-related variations and minimal stress on examinees, allowing for efficient and comfortable measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of ultrasonic transducers on both sides of a body part for transmitting and receiving ultrasounds by the ultrasonic transducers to measure the speed of sound propagating through the body part
Implementation Method 2
a temperature measuring unit for measuring or estimating the temperature of the body part
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic bone evaluation apparatus includes stationary and movable standoffs fitted with respective ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound, a moving mechanism for moving the movable standoff, an encoder, a controller, and an inner temperature sensor for determining the temperature of an inner tissue of a body part. The moving mechanism moves the movable standoff toward the stationary standoff to sandwich the body part therebetween. The encoder measures the distance between the two transducers whereas the controller determines the time required for the ultrasound to travel between the transducers when the body part is sandwiched between the standoffs. The controller calculates the speed of sound propagating through the body part from distance and time measurement values, corrects the speed of sound through the body part based on the temperature of the body part measured by the inner temperature sensor, and evaluates the bone of the body part based on the corrected speed of sound.