Ultrasound Probe Dynamic Data Format Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound probes lack versatility as they are designed specifically for particular ultrasound image diagnostic apparatuses, limiting their application to only compatible devices.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound probe with a receiving section, phasing and adding section, image producing section, transmission target selecting section, and transmitting section, which allows for the selection of transmission targets based on operator input, battery power, or transmission conditions, enabling wireless data transmission in various formats to accommodate different apparatus specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ultrasound probe uses a predetermined data format according to the device body specification, then the data transmission is compatible with the specific device body, but the probe loses general versatility and can only work with equivalent device bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound probe dynamically selects and switches between different data formats (raw reception signals, phased-and-added signals, or image data) based on the receiving device's capabilities and communication conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the probe to maintain compatibility with various device specifications while preserving general versatility, resolving the contradiction between versatility and compatibility complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe changes the parameter of data format according to the receiving device's specification and communication conditions. By transforming the transmitted data between different formats (raw signals, processed signals, or images), the probe adapts to different device requirements without being locked into a single predetermined format, thereby achieving both versatility and compatibility.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the probe transmits processed image data, then the transmission data volume is reduced and power consumption is lowered, but the receiving device loses flexibility in processing and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The probe dynamically adjusts the processing level of transmitted data based on communication conditions and receiving device capabilities. When power conservation is needed or the device requires simple data, it transmits compressed image data. When the receiving device needs flexibility for further processing, it transmits less processed signals. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between power consumption and receiving device flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe applies partial processing to the ultrasound data, transmitting either fully processed image data (when power saving is prioritized) or partially processed signals (when receiving device flexibility is needed). This partial action approach allows flexible trade-off between power consumption and versatility based on actual requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the probe transmits raw reception signals, then the receiving device has maximum flexibility for processing, but the transmission data volume increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The probe dynamically determines the appropriate data format to transmit based on the receiving device's processing capabilities and current communication conditions. When the receiving device has high processing capability and flexibility is prioritized, the probe transmits raw reception signals. When power consumption needs to be reduced, it transmits more processed data. This dynamic decision-making resolves the contradiction between versatility and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound probe includes a receiving section to receive ultrasound waves from an object and to acquire a receiving signal of each of multiple channels; a beam forming section to adjust a phase of the receiving signal of each of multiple channels and to sum the receiving signals; an image producing section to produce image data to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section; a transmission target selecting section to select one from at least two of the receiving signal for each of multiple channels, the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section, and the image data as a transmission target; and a transmitting section to transmit the transmission target selected by the transmission target selecting section.