Ultrasonic Probe Contact Sensor Bull's Eye Map
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic probes inserted into body cavities face challenges in maintaining optimal bending and pressure contact, leading to potential damage and reduced diagnostic efficiency due to the subjective nature of operator control and the difficulty in visualizing the probe's state within the cavity.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a plurality of contact sensors on the probe that acquire and process contact information to estimate the probe's bending state and pressure distribution, generating a bull's eye map to output information on the probe's state, thereby enabling safer and more efficient procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the transesophageal echocardiography probe is made flexible to adapt to the esophagus shape, then the probe can be inserted and adapted to various digestive organ shapes, but the probe may bend uncontrollably making it difficult to monitor the probe state and increasing the risk of damaging the inner wall
Solution Approach 1:
The probe shaft is divided into multiple rigid sections that can be independently controlled to bend in specific directions. Each section can be actuated separately to achieve controlled adaptation to the esophagus shape while maintaining overall structural control and prevent uncontrolled bending.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are integrated into the probe to detect the bending state and position of each section in real-time. This feedback information is transmitted to the control unit, which adjusts the bending of each section to achieve the desired configuration while preventing excessive bending that could damage the esophagus.
2Ease of operation
If the operator relies on subjective experience to control bending pressure, then the probe can be inserted with some level of skill-based control, but the bending degree cannot be objectively ascertained leading to either excessive pressure causing inner wall burden or insufficient pressure reducing diagnostic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Force sensors are integrated at the tip and along the shaft to measure the contact force between the probe and the esophagus wall in real-time. This objective force measurement feedback is provided to the operator, enabling precise control of bending pressure to avoid both excessive pressure that could damage the wall and insufficient pressure that would reduce image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The subjective tactile sensing of the operator is replaced with objective electronic force sensors that precisely measure the contact force. This substitution provides quantitative data on the bending pressure, eliminating the ambiguity of subjective assessment and enabling precise control of the probe's interaction with the esophagus.
3Measurement precision
If contact sensors are added to the probe to detect bending state, then the probe state can be monitored objectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact sensors are integrated into the existing probe structure, combining the sensing function with the structural components. The force sensors are embedded within the shaft and tip, merging measurement capabilities with the mechanical structure rather than adding separate external sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe structure is designed to serve multiple functions: the segmented shaft provides both structural support and bending capability, while the integrated force sensors simultaneously measure contact force and provide feedback for control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of an embodiment includes an acquisition unit and an output control unit. The acquisition unit acquires contact information detected by a plurality of contact sensors provided at different positions on an ultrasonic probe inserted into a body cavity of a subject. The output control unit causes an output interface to output information representing a state of the ultrasonic probe in the body cavity on the basis of the contact information and the positions of the contact sensors provided in the ultrasonic probe.