Ultrasound Probe Buttons for Sterile Imaging Setting Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound systems require users to modify imaging settings on a touch-sensitive display screen, which can be difficult when holding the probe and device simultaneously, especially during procedures requiring sterile conditions, increasing the risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound probe with three programmable buttons allows users to adjust imaging settings directly from the probe, using a mobile device to configure button functions, enabling settings adjustments without touching the device screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users adjust imaging settings on the touch-sensitive display screen, then settings can be modified, but the risk of infection increases and user convenience deteriorates when holding the probe and device simultaneously during sterile procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the settings adjustment function from the touch-sensitive display screen and relocates it to physical buttons on the probe handle. This allows users to modify imaging settings without touching the display screen, eliminating the infection risk associated with screen contact during sterile procedures while maintaining full settings adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces physical buttons as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the imaging settings. Instead of direct screen contact, users interact with the buttons on the probe handle, which then communicate setting changes to the system, providing a safe interface that maintains sterility while enabling full control
2Ease of operation
If users hold the probe and mobile device simultaneously to adjust settings on screen, then settings can be modified, but user convenience and safety deteriorate during sterile procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the settings adjustment functionality from the mobile device screen and relocates it to the probe handle with physical buttons. This allows users to adjust imaging settings using only the probe, eliminating the need to hold both devices and maintaining sterility during procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The probe becomes self-sufficient for settings adjustment through the integrated buttons on its handle. Users can modify all imaging parameters directly from the probe without needing to interact with the mobile device screen, making the system self-service capable and maintaining sterility
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe and a mobile device in operative communication with each other. The ultrasound probe includes three buttons—an up button, a center button, and a down button—disposed on the external housing. The mobile device may be configured to receive an indication from the ultrasound probe of a double press of the center button when the mobile device is displaying a scan screen. Based on the double press of the center button, the mobile device may be configured to display a button function configuration menu on the scan screen, receive a selection from the button function configuration menu of a button function configuration, receive an indication of a single press of the up button or the down button, and perform an action in accordance with the single press of the up button or the down button and the button function configuration.