Ultrasound Probe Control With Force Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound scanning devices are semi-automatic and require nurse assistance, and they lack flexibility in interacting with people during scanning, especially when moving, due to the lack of effective solutions for performing prescribed actions while maintaining interaction with individuals.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound scanning control system and method that includes a mechanical arm with a force sensor and a probe, which converts initial position coordinates from a hospital bed coordinate system to a device coordinate system, generates a scanning trajectory, and controls the mechanical arm to move the probe based on this trajectory, while sensing pressure and lateral impact forces to ensure flexible interaction and automatic scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a semi-automatic ultrasound scanning device is used, then the scanning process requires nurse assistance, but this increases the complexity of operation and reduces automation
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound scanning device performs scanning operations autonomously without requiring nurse assistance. The system automatically positions the probe, executes scanning trajectories, and processes images, enabling the device to serve itself and eliminate the need for manual intervention during the scanning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses computer-controlled mechanisms to position and move the ultrasound probe. This substitution of mechanical manual control with automated control systems increases both automation extent and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ultrasound scanning device moves during examination, then flexibility of interaction is improved, but maintaining continuous imaging and prescribed actions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning device incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities that allow it to move and adjust its position during the examination process. The system dynamically adapts its scanning trajectory and probe position while maintaining continuous imaging, enabling flexible interaction with patients without compromising image quality or prescribed scanning actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from the ultrasound imaging process to continuously adjust and optimize the scanning trajectory. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when the device moves or when patient positioning changes, the system can maintain continuous imaging quality and execute prescribed scanning actions by adapting based on real-time image data.
3Measurement precision
If a mechanical arm with force sensor is used, then sensing pressure and lateral impact forces is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical arm is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a positioning mechanism and as a force sensing system. By integrating force sensors into the mechanical arm structure, the same component performs dual functions: precise positioning and accurate force measurement, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound scanning control method applied to an ultrasound scanning device is provided. The ultrasound scanning device includes an execution mechanism. The execution mechanism includes a mechanical arm and a probe. The ultrasound scanning control method includes controlling the mechanical arm to drive the probe to move according to a set scanning trajectory for performing an ultrasound scanning detection on a part to be examined. Once an actual pressure value between the probe and the part to be examined in each control cycle is sensed using the force sensor, a pressure value between the probe and the part to be examined is controlled to be a constant value based on the actual pressure value.