Ultrasonic Probe Cooling Control for Battery Life and Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic probes in wireless diagnostic apparatuses face limitations due to temperature rise from processing circuitry heat and battery depletion, leading to inconsistent performance and insufficient usable time, with battery depletion and temperature rise timings mismatching.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a cooling unit that adjusts its operation based on both battery level and internal temperature to optimize usable time, using a thermal conductor to efficiently cool components and a cooling device that can be controlled to match battery life and temperature thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the ultrasonic probe operates continuously, then the battery depletes and the probe becomes unusable, but the timing of battery depletion does not match the timing when the probe becomes unusable due to temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is activated in advance when the internal temperature reaches a predetermined threshold, before the temperature becomes high enough to cause performance degradation or shutdown. This preliminary cooling action prevents the temperature from rising to problematic levels, ensuring continuous reliable operation while extending the usable time by coordinating with battery depletion timing.
2Temperature
If the cooling unit is driven when internal temperature exceeds threshold, then temperature rise is suppressed, but the performance may change affecting diagnosis regardless of operator's intention
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the internal temperature and uses this feedback to control the cooling unit operation. When the temperature reaches a predetermined threshold, the cooling unit is activated to bring the temperature back down. This closed-loop feedback control maintains the temperature within a safe range without causing performance changes that would affect diagnosis, while extending usable time by coordinating cooling operations with battery status.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ultrasonic probe houses processing circuitry and battery inside, then wireless operation is enabled, but heat from processing circuitry and battery causes temperature rise limiting usable time
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit acts as an intermediary between the heat-generating components (processing circuitry and battery) and the ultrasonic transducer. It absorbs and dissipates heat generated by the processing circuitry and battery, preventing this heat from transferring to the subject contact portion. This intermediary cooling function enables wireless operation while controlling temperature rise to extend usable time.
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
Extends the usable time of the ultrasonic probe by minimizing the difference between battery life and temperature-induced shutdown times, maintaining consistent performance without operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit that cools an inside of the housing case; a thermal conductor that connects the battery and the processing circuitry with the cooling unit
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: an ultrasonic probe connected to an apparatus body, comprising a battery that supplies power to components of the ultrasonic probe and a cooler that cools inside the ultrasonic probe; and a drive controller that drives the cooler based on a remaining level of the battery and an internal temperature of the ultrasonic probe.