Ultrasonic Probe Cooling with Fallback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic diagnostic devices face challenges in maintaining the surface temperature of ultrasonic probe units within safe limits due to inadequate cooling, leading to potential overheating and reduced diagnostic performance, especially in emergency situations where alternative devices are not available.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic diagnostic device incorporates a cooling mechanism with a refrigerant circulation system in the probe cable, a cooling abnormality detecting unit, and an operating unit that performs fallback operations by adjusting transmission and reception conditions in response to detected cooling abnormalities, allowing continuous use even without an alternative device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If forced cooling is implemented with refrigerant circulation through probe cable, then cooling performance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to leakage and pump failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the cooling mechanism itself and places it in the ultrasonic probe unit. The temperature sensor is embedded directly in the probe unit to detect its own temperature, separating the measurement function from the cooling system that may fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary temperature detection and control by embedding a temperature sensor in the probe unit before cooling failure occurs. This allows the system to detect temperature rise early and adjust ultrasonic wave output proactively, preventing overheating even when cooling mechanism fails.
2Reliability
If temperature control is implemented to prevent overheating, then safety is improved, but time lag causes temperature overshoot beyond reference temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is embedded in the probe unit to detect temperature in advance, allowing the control unit to adjust ultrasonic wave output before temperature exceeds safe levels. This preliminary detection eliminates the time lag and temperature overshoot problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control loop where the temperature sensor continuously monitors probe unit temperature and the control unit adjusts ultrasonic wave output based on this feedback. This real-time feedback enables precise temperature control without overshooting the reference temperature.
3Reliability
If cooling mechanism fails in emergency situation, then device must be stopped, but diagnostic need requires continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature monitoring function from the cooling mechanism and embeds it in the probe unit itself. This independent temperature detection system allows the device to continue operating even when cooling fails, as the probe can detect its own temperature and adjust output accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe unit performs self-temperature monitoring and the control unit automatically adjusts ultrasonic wave output based on detected temperature. This self-service capability allows continuous operation during cooling failures without requiring external intervention or alternative devices.
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
This configuration enables continuous operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device by implementing fallback modes that reduce power consumption and extend usage time, ensuring safe temperature management and maintaining diagnostic performance despite cooling system failures.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling mechanism for cooling an ultrasonic probe unit by circulating a refrigerant in a cable of the ultrasonic probe unit
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic device is characterized by being provided with a cooling mechanism for cooling an ultrasonic vibrator by circulating a refrigerant in a cable of an ultrasonic probe in which the ultrasonic vibrator is provided, a cooling abnormality detecting means for detecting the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism, and an operating means for, when the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism is detected by the cooling abnormality detecting means, performing a degraded operation in which the transmission/reception condition of the ultrasonic vibrator is changed according to the detected abnormal state.