Contextually Variable Ultrasound Control Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical diagnostic ultrasound systems have complex control panels with numerous controls that can be overwhelming for users, making it difficult to access frequently used controls while hiding unnecessary ones, leading to user confusion and distraction.
Innovation Solution
A contextually variable ultrasound system control panel with touch-actuated controls located beneath a continuous dark glass surface, where only necessary controls are illuminated and visible, and unneeded controls are darkened and invisible, ensuring intuitive access and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of controls on the control panel is increased to accommodate all variable uses and functions, then the system's adaptability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel dynamically changes its configuration based on the current imaging exam type and stage. The processor determines which controls are relevant to the current exam mode (e.g., obstetrics, cardiology, abdominal) and illuminates only those controls, while keeping others dark and unavailable. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain full functionality across multiple exam types while presenting a simplified, context-relevant control set to the user at any given moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel is segmented into multiple independent control regions, each corresponding to different imaging modes or functions. Each control element can be independently illuminated or darkened based on its relevance to the current exam. This segmentation allows the system to present only the necessary subset of controls for the current task, reducing overall perceived complexity while maintaining access to the full range of functions when needed.
2Ease of operation
If more controls are made visible and accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but user distraction and loss of focus increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the control panel have different visual properties (illuminated vs. dark) based on their current relevance. The illuminated controls represent the 'local quality' of being active and accessible, while dark controls are effectively hidden. This creates a focal point for user attention on only the necessary controls for the current exam stage, preventing distraction from unrelated functions while keeping them available if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel uses illumination state (lit vs. dark) as a visual indicator of control availability and relevance. This color/brightness change provides immediate visual feedback to the user about which controls are currently applicable, guiding attention without requiring the user to mentally filter through all available controls. The visual distinction creates a clear hierarchy of importance.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical controls are used for frequent access, then ease of operation is improved, but cleaning difficulty and maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical controls (buttons, knobs, switches) with a touch-sensitive surface that detects finger contact through changes in electrical capacitance or impedance. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts, crevices, and gaps that trap dust and require disassembly for cleaning. The smooth, continuous surface can be easily wiped down while maintaining full control functionality through tactile interaction.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultrasound system has a control panel formed of a top glass plate with control area graphics screened onto the bottom surface of the glass plate. Capacitive foils are attached to the areas of the screened graphics, enabling a user control to be capacitively selected by touching the top surface above the screened graphics. Each control area is selectively back-illuminated by a diffuser frame with light pipes fastened below the glass plate. LEDs fo illumination are mounted on a printed circuit board fastened to the diffuser frame, which are controlled by the printed circuit board. Different groups of user controls are illuminated in accordance with the context of the operating mode or imaging procedure being performed so that only needed control are illuminated while unneeded controls are invisible to the user. All of the controls can be extinguished and de-activated so that the top surface of the control panel can be cleaned without randomly activating the controls of the control panel.