Ultrasound Data Frame Packetization for Robust Serial Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging systems, particularly ultrasound systems, face synchronization issues during mode transitions due to difficulties in maintaining synchronization between image data and control parameters, leading to potential system crashes or out-of-sync images.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for medical imaging that packetize ultrasound image data with mode-specific parameters into a stream of data frames, allowing for robust data transport using a single serial communication channel, specifically an Asynchronous channel, which ensures synchronization and reduces the need for separate Isochronous and PCI parallel bus channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If separate Isochronous and Asynchronous channels are used for image data and control parameters, then real-time image data transfer is supported, but synchronization between image data and control parameters becomes difficult during mode transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines image data and control parameters into a single integrated data stream transmitted through one serial communication channel. Each data packet contains both the imaging mode indicator and the corresponding image data, ensuring they remain synchronized during transmission and eliminating the synchronization problems that occur when using separate channels.
2Productivity
If PCI parallel bus is used for data transfer, then high throughput is achieved, but critical timing requirements and complex wiring are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical PCI parallel bus system with a serial communication channel that transmits data as a sequential stream. This substitution eliminates the need for complex parallel wiring and critical timing synchronization while maintaining adequate data throughput through efficient packetization and mode indication within the serial stream.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mode switching is performed at operator's discretion, then imaging flexibility is improved, but system crashes or out-of-sync images may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the imaging mode indicator at the beginning of each data packet before the actual image data. This preliminary indication allows the receiving system to prepare the appropriate processing mode in advance, ensuring that mode transitions are handled smoothly without causing system crashes or synchronization errors, while still allowing flexible operator-controlled mode switching.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment of the invention, there is an ultrasound processing system that communicates images over a single asynchronous serial channel according to a scheme that does not require an isochronous serial channel and that switches among ultrasound imaging modes robustly. For example, the system is configured to packetize ultrasound image data of at least one ultrasound imaging mode into a stream of data frames and to convey the stream of data frames via the asynchronous channel. Each data frame includes indication of the ultrasound imaging mode and includes ultrasound-imaging-mode-specific imaging parameters. Other embodiments exist.