Lightweight Ultrasonic Probe Wireless Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic probes require continuous manual operation, making it difficult to use them for extended periods without causing operator fatigue and discomfort, and they are not easily attachable to a target for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic probe with a lightweight design (150 g or less) featuring a housing with a thin profile (10 mm or less in thickness) and a wireless communication unit, allowing attachment to a target using medical tape, and equipped with an ultrasonic element array and an acoustic lens for focused ultrasonic wave transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ultrasonic probe is held manually for operation, then the probe can be operated with control, but the operator experiences fatigue and discomfort during long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical holding operation with an automated attachment system. The probe is designed to be attached to the target body using medical tape, eliminating the need for continuous manual holding. This substitution of mechanical human operation with a passive attachment mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling long-term operation without operator fatigue.
2Reliability
If the probe is designed with cable connection and standard housing, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the probe cannot be easily attached for long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the probe into a detachable head portion and a main body portion. The head portion can be separated and attached to the target body independently, providing attachment flexibility while maintaining the structural integrity of the main body. This segmentation allows the probe to be easily attached and detached without compromising overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment parameter from fixed cable connection to flexible tape-based attachment. By using medical tape with appropriate adhesive properties, the probe can be securely attached to the target body for long-term use while maintaining ease of removal. This parameter change in the attachment mechanism resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and attachment flexibility.
3Strength
If the probe housing is made thicker to house all components, then the internal components are protected, but the probe becomes uncomfortable for long-term attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes components along the longitudinal axis of the probe rather than concentrating them in the housing thickness direction. The ultrasonic transducer, circuit board, and other components are arranged linearly along the length of the probe, allowing the housing to remain thin (10mm or less) while providing adequate protection. This dimensional rearrangement resolves the contradiction between housing strength and attachment comfort.
4Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication is added to the probe, then the attachment flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wireless communication function with the existing control circuit board. The communication unit is integrated into the same substrate that controls the ultrasonic transducer elements, sharing power supply, processing resources, and physical space. This merging approach enables wireless operation capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through efficient resource sharing.
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
Enables long-term attachment to a target without operator fatigue, prevents probe detachment due to wire-related issues, and allows for efficient ultrasonic measurement and imaging without the need for complex circuitry in the terminal device, facilitating use with general-purpose computers like smartphones or tablets.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic element array in which a plurality of ultrasonic elements performing at least one of transmission of ultrasonic waves and reception of ultrasonic waves are arranged in an array
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic lens, which converges the ultrasonic waves output from the ultrasonic element array to a predetermined depth, is provided in the opening of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic probe is attached to a target to perform ultrasonic measurement. The ultrasonic probe includes: a first substrate including an ultrasonic element array in which a plurality of ultrasonic elements performing at least one of transmission of ultrasonic waves and reception of ultrasonic waves are arranged in an array, the ultrasonic element array being arranged on a first surface of the first substrate; a second substrate facing a second surface opposite to the first surface of the first substrate; and a housing that houses the first substrate and the second substrate therein and is provided with an opening through which the ultrasonic waves pass at a position corresponding to the ultrasonic element array. The second substrate includes a communication unit coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic elements and capable of wirelessly communicating with another terminal device. A weight of the ultrasonic probe is 150 g or less.