Ultrasonic Probe Reaction Force Detection for Depth Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasonic diagnosis, higher frequency probes provide higher resolution but have limited depth penetration, causing discomfort when inspecting larger subjects due to the need for increased pressure to reach deeper blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnosis system equipped with a reaction force detection sensor to estimate and display the push-in amount of the probe, ensuring appropriate pressure regardless of subject size, and outputting warnings for excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is increased to improve resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the depth penetration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters by adjusting the pushing force applied to the ultrasonic probe based on detected reaction forces. This allows optimization of both resolution and depth penetration by adapting the contact pressure to match the subject's body characteristics, enabling higher frequency probes to achieve sufficient depth penetration without compromising resolution
2Length of moving object
If the ultrasonic probe is pressed more strongly to increase depth penetration, then the depth penetration is improved, but the subject experiences pain or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where reaction force detection sensors continuously monitor the force applied to the ultrasonic probe during inspection. The control device processes this feedback information and adjusts the pushing force to maintain optimal depth penetration while preventing excessive force that would cause subject discomfort, thus resolving the contradiction between penetration depth and subject comfort
3Length of moving object
If the ultrasonic probe is pressed more strongly to reach deeper blood vessels in larger subjects, then the depth penetration is improved, but the subject experiences pain or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed pushing force approach to a dynamic adaptive pushing force system. The reaction force detection sensors and control device enable real-time adjustment of the ultrasonic probe's contact pressure based on the subject's body characteristics and tissue properties, allowing optimal penetration to blood vessels at varying depths without causing discomfort
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 system allows for optimal probe placement, minimizing subject discomfort and maintaining image resolution by adjusting the push-in amount based on detected reaction forces, ensuring effective depth penetration.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction force detection sensor configured to detect a reaction force acting on the ultrasonic probe when the ultrasonic probe is pressed against a body surface of a subject
Implementation Method 2
the higher the frequency of an ultrasonic wave radiated from an ultrasonic probe, the higher the resolution, but in the case of inspecting the inside of the body of a subject, the higher the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, the shallower the depth at which the ultrasonic wave reaches
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnosis system includes a reaction force detection sensor that detects a reaction force acting on an ultrasonic probe when the ultrasonic probe is pressed against a body surface of a subject. Then, the ultrasonic diagnosis system estimates the push-in amount of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the subject by using the reaction force detection sensor during the ultrasonic diagnosis to output a display or a warning of the estimated push-in amount of the ultrasonic probe to the output device.