Ultrasonic Probe Parallel Serial Conversion for Stable Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in downsizing and reducing power consumption while maintaining image quality, especially when transfer quality is poor, due to complex circuit requirements for reception focusing processing and high data volume in serial transfer.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe with plural transducers that generate parallel sample or raw data, which is then converted to serial data for transmission, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body that performs reception focusing processing on stored sample or raw data to generate image signals, reducing the need for large-scale circuits in the probe and improving transfer quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reception focusing processing is performed in the ultrasonic probe, then image quality is improved, but probe size becomes too large for practical operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the reception focusing processing function from the ultrasonic probe and relocates it to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. The probe only performs A/D conversion and transmits raw reception signals, while the main body performs the complex beam forming and focusing operations. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for large-scale circuits in the probe, reducing its size to a practical handheld form factor while preserving image quality through centralized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary communication interface between the probe and main body that transmits raw reception signals. This intermediary transmission method allows the probe to maintain a simple, compact structure while the main body receives the raw data and performs the complex reception focusing processing. The intermediary communication channel enables separation of functions, resolving the size-quality contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If complex reception focusing processing circuits are incorporated into the ultrasonic probe, then image processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power-intensive reception focusing processing from the battery-powered ultrasonic probe and relocates it to the mains-powered main body. The probe only performs low-power A/D conversion and signal transmission, while the main body handles the computationally intensive beam forming and focusing operations. This extraction resolves the contradiction by dramatically reducing probe power consumption while maintaining full image processing capability in the main body.
3Quantity of substance
If high data volume is transmitted in serial format, then transfer completeness is improved, but transfer quality deteriorates under poor conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary organization of reception signals into structured frames with embedded synchronization information and error detection codes before transmission. Each frame is self-contained with timing markers that enable reliable reconstruction even under poor transfer conditions. This preliminary structuring resolves the contradiction by ensuring that the complete data volume can be transmitted reliably through the serial interface, maintaining both completeness and transfer quality.
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 approach enables stable image formation even with poor transfer quality, reduces data volume in serial transfer, and achieves downsizing or lower power consumption of the ultrasonic probe, thereby improving transfer quality and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting an ultrasonic beam according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output reception signals
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic waves are reflected at a boundary between regions having different acoustic impedances such as a boundary between structures within the object
Data Source
AI summary
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for performing serial transfer between an ultrasonic probe and an apparatus main body, stable image formation can be performed even when transfer quality is poor while realizing downsizing of the ultrasonic probe. The apparatus includes: (i) an ultrasonic probe including a reception signal processing unit for generating parallel sample data based on reception signals outputted from plural ultrasonic transducers, a parallel/serial conversion unit for converting the parallel sample data into serial sample data, and a communication unit for transmitting the sample data; and (ii) an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body including a storage unit for storing the sample data of at least one frame transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, and an image forming unit for generating an image signal by performing reception focusing processing on the sample data with respect to every one frame read out from the storage unit.