Ultrasonic Probe Power Distribution Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in detecting local heat generation in vibration element groups, leading to excessive power control limitations, decreased ultrasound image quality, complex calculation processes, increased component count, and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a pulse detection unit, electric power measurement unit, distribution calculation unit, and power distribution derivation unit to accurately measure and control transmission power distribution across each vibration element, enabling local heat detection and temperature monitoring with a reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the entire vibration element group is evaluated macroscopically to monitor temperature, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of local heat generation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vibration element group into multiple regions and calculates the power distribution for each region separately. By segmenting the overall power monitoring into regional power calculations, the system achieves local temperature monitoring capability without requiring individual sensors for each element, thus maintaining relatively simple device structure while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces power distribution calculation as an intermediary method to infer local temperature conditions. Instead of directly measuring temperature at each location, the system calculates power distribution across regions and uses this as a proxy indicator for local heat generation, enabling precise temperature monitoring through electrical parameter measurement.
2Device complexity
If power is limited uniformly across the vibration element group to control heat generation, then the temperature management is simplified, but the productivity of ultrasound image quality is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements regional power control by calculating and limiting power distribution for different regions of the vibration element group separately. This allows each region to receive appropriate power levels based on its specific heat generation characteristics and imaging requirements, optimizing both temperature management and image quality without requiring complex individual element control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple electric power detection units are arranged at positions corresponding to the vibration element group to detect local power, then the measurement precision of local heat generation is improved, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single electric power detection unit perform multiple functions: it detects the total power supplied to the vibration element group and also enables regional power distribution calculation through signal processing. This multi-functional approach achieves local power measurement capability without requiring multiple physical detection units, thus improving measurement precision while avoiding increased device complexity.
4Device complexity
If software calculation is used to obtain temperature considering transmission conditions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability are affected by calculation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex software temperature calculation with direct electrical measurement and regional power distribution analysis. By substituting the software-based thermal modeling approach with electrical parameter measurement and calculation, the system reduces computational complexity and potential software errors while improving reliability through direct physical measurement.
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
The solution provides a compact, reliable, and cost-effective ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of detecting local heat generation and temperature monitoring, improving image quality and reducing the risk of component failure.
Implementation Method 1
A power loss in an electro-acoustic conversion in the vibration element group is output as heat
Implementation Method 2
A power loss in an electro-acoustic conversion in the vibration element group is output as heat. In other words, the vibration element group generates heat, which then is conducted to each part of the ultrasonic probe
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a plurality of vibration elements (1) that transmit and receive an ultrasonic beam; a plurality of transmission circuits (2) that are connected to the respective vibration elements and output a transmission driving signal to be used for driving the vibration elements; and a transmission power source (3) that supplies electric power to the transmission circuits. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes: a pulse detection unit (21) that detects a transmission signal to be used for generating the transmission driving signal; an electric power measurement unit (20) that detects an amount of electric power supplied to the transmission circuits as a whole; a distribution calculation unit (24) that calculates an amount of electric power distributed into each of the vibration elements based on outputs of the pulse detection unit and the electric power measurement unit; and a power distribution derivation unit (22) that derives electric power having been supplied to each of the plurality of vibration elements based on an output of the distribution calculation unit, wherein the transmission driving signal is controlled based on the power distribution derived in the power distribution derivation unit. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a more compact and highly reliable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing a temperature monitoring that detects local heat generation of the vibration elements based on the actual transmission power by using a circuit with a reduced number of components.