Ultrasound Probe Automation for Constipation and Urine Volume Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses require significant user effort and time, especially for low-skilled operators, when examining the lower abdomen, as they need to manually set transmission/reception conditions for each examination site, such as the large intestine and bladder, which increases the burden and time required for the examination.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with an image acquisition unit, constipation evaluation unit, urine volume measurement availability determination unit, and urine volume measurement unit that automatically acquires and evaluates ultrasound images, determines urine volume measurement availability, and guides users through the measurement process, reducing the need for manual setting of transmission/reception conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual setting of transmission/reception conditions is performed for each examination site, then examination precision can be maintained, but user effort and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary actions by automatically acquiring ultrasound images and determining measurement availability before the user needs to perform the examination. The system pre-processes the ultrasound images to identify whether urine volume measurement is available, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust settings for each examination site.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service functionality where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus automatically performs the evaluation and determination of measurement availability without requiring manual intervention from the user. The apparatus serves itself by autonomously acquiring images, evaluating constipation conditions, and determining urine volume measurement availability.
2Productivity
If manual setting of transmission/reception conditions is performed for each examination site, then examination accuracy can be ensured, but examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image acquisition and evaluation before the user needs to conduct the examination. By pre-acquiring ultrasound images and pre-determining measurement availability, the system eliminates time-consuming manual setting operations during the actual examination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual adjustment process with an automated electronic system. Instead of the user manually setting transmission/reception conditions, the system uses automated image acquisition and processing to determine measurement availability, substituting mechanical operations with electronic automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple examination sites are examined continuously, then comprehensive evaluation is achieved, but user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple examination sites (large intestine for constipation evaluation and bladder for urine volume measurement) within a single system. The apparatus universally accommodates different examination types by automatically determining which measurements are available based on the acquired ultrasound images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of measurement availability for different examination sites before the user needs to conduct the examinations. By pre-evaluating whether urine volume measurement is available based on the ultrasound images, the system reduces user burden by eliminating the need to manually configure settings for each examination site.
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 apparatus reduces user effort and time by automating the evaluation and measurement processes, allowing for efficient constipation evaluation and urine volume measurement regardless of the user's skill level, particularly in home medical care settings where users may be unfamiliar with the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasound probe toward a subject, the ultrasound probe receives ultrasound echoes from the subject
Implementation Method 2
the ultrasound probe receives ultrasound echoes from the subject
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasound probe 2; an image acquisition unit 17 that acquires an ultrasound image of a subject by performing transmission and reception of an ultrasound beam to and from the ultrasound probe 2 in accordance with a predetermined transmission/reception condition; a display unit 16 that displays the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit 17; a constipation evaluation unit 18 that performs constipation evaluation based on the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit 17; and a urine volume measurement availability determination unit 21 that determines whether or not urine volume measurement is available, from the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit 17 in accordance with the transmission/reception condition which is used to perform the constipation evaluation by the constipation evaluation unit 18.