Ultrasound Probe Data Offloading for Heat and Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The issue with existing ultrasound systems is the increased power consumption and temperature rise in the ultrasound probe due to heat generation when performing advanced processing like high-definition ultrasound image generation, especially when connected to display terminals with low computing power.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasound system and probe are designed to adapt processing based on the computing power of the connected display terminal, selecting and transferring either ultrasound image data or intermediate data to be processed by the terminal, using a data selection unit and down-sampling unit to optimize power usage and reduce heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If advanced processing such as generation of high-definition ultrasound image data is performed in the ultrasound probe, then image quality is improved, but power consumption of the ultrasound probe increases and temperature inside the ultrasound probe rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the processing location between the ultrasound probe and display terminal based on the computing power of the connected terminal. When a high-performance terminal is detected, image generation processing is shifted from the probe to the terminal, reducing power consumption and heat generation in the probe while maintaining high image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the processing parameter by selecting different data types to transmit: either transmitting complete ultrasound image data when the terminal has sufficient computing power, or transmitting intermediate data that requires less processing in the probe. This parameter change allows flexible distribution of computational load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If advanced processing such as generation of high-definition ultrasound image data is performed in the ultrasound probe, then image quality is improved, but temperature inside the ultrasound probe rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidtemperature inside probe

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the limitation of the probe (heat generation) into a benefit by offloading processing to the display terminal. The terminal's computing power is utilized to perform image generation, turning the probe's thermal constraint into an opportunity for distributed processing architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the ultrasound probe performs all processing, then compatibility with various display terminals is improved, but processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the processing location between the ultrasound probe and display terminal based on the computing power of the connected terminal. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain compatibility with various terminals while optimizing processing efficiency by utilizing the terminal's computing resources when available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality by supporting both modes of operation: processing in the probe for compatibility with low-power terminals, and processing in the terminal for high-efficiency operation with powerful devices. This universal approach allows the same system to serve diverse display terminals effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12508003B2Ultrasound system, ultrasound probe, control method of ultrasound system, and control method of ultrasound probe

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

Provided are an ultrasound system, an ultrasound probe, a control method of the ultrasound system, and a control method of the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound system includes a display terminal and an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe has a reception circuit that generates a sound ray signal from a reception signal output from an oscillator array, an image generation unit that generates ultrasound image data from the sound ray signal, and a data selection unit that selects one of the ultrasound image data and intermediate data generated in a middle of generating the ultrasound image data, according to computing power of the display terminal, as data to be output to the display terminal. The display terminal to which the intermediate data is input generates the ultrasound image data from the intermediate data and displays an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image data on the monitor.