Ultrasound Probe Guide with Sensor Feedback for Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld ultrasound probes for breast cancer screening face limitations due to reliance on operator skill, potential for image distortion, and lack of operational feedback, while automated systems are often bulky, costly, and not portable, making them unsuitable for developing countries.

Innovation Solution

A probe guide that couples an ultrasound probe to a body with sensors to determine spatial position, orientation, movement speed, and contact pressure, providing real-time feedback and improving image quality by maintaining probe alignment and providing guidance to operators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If handheld probes are used for freeform movement, then ease of operation is improved, but image quality and consistency deteriorate due to operator skill limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that detect probe position, orientation, and pressure, providing real-time feedback to guide the operator. This feedback mechanism enables unskilled practitioners to maintain proper probe alignment and pressure, thereby improving image quality consistency without sacrificing the ease of handheld operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on operator mechanical skill with an automated sensor-based guidance system. The sensors electronically monitor and guide probe positioning, substituting the need for operator expertise with an automated mechanical guidance system that ensures consistent image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated whole-breast ultrasound systems are used, then screening capabilities are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreening capabilitiesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the automated system into a simple handheld probe component and a separate guidance system. This segmentation allows the screening capabilities to be improved through automated guidance while keeping the physical probe simple and manageable, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal handheld probe that can be used by any operator regardless of skill level, as the sensor guidance system adapts to different users. This multi-functionality allows a single simplified device to perform comprehensive screening capabilities that would otherwise require complex specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If automated systems are designed with special curved probes and immobilizer material, then screening accuracy is improved, but portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreening accuracyVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the probe itself complex and bulky to achieve accuracy, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the probe simple and lightweight while adding the complexity to the guidance system. This allows screening accuracy to be maintained through electronic guidance rather than physical probe complexity, thereby improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If operators apply more pressure on tissue, then contact stability is improved, but tissue deformation increases causing image distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidtissue deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pressure sensors to provide real-time feedback on the force applied to the tissue. This feedback allows the system to maintain optimal contact stability while preventing excessive pressure that would cause tissue deformation, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the pressure parameter based on sensor feedback and imaging requirements. By changing the pressure parameter in real-time rather than maintaining constant high pressure, the system achieves contact stability while minimizing tissue deformation and associated image distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9949715B2Systems and methods for ultrasound probe guidance

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Systems and method for ultrasound probe guidance are provided. One system includes a probe guide with a body having at least one engagement portion for coupling an ultrasound probe to the body. The system also includes at least one sensor configured to communicate with an ultrasound imaging system, wherein the at least one sensor coupled to the body and configured to determine at least one of a spatial position, an orientation, a probe head movement speed, a temperature, a scan speed of the body relative to an object being scanned, or a contact pressure relative to the body and the object being scanned.