Ultrasound Probe Motion Detection for Automatic Sterile Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound systems require manual and physical selection of probes, which is time-consuming and can compromise sterile environments, especially during frequent probe changes between patients.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound system with motion and orientation sensors that automatically detect and select the active probe by sensing the motion and spatial orientation of the probe, eliminating the need for direct physical contact and simplifying probe changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual probe selection is used, then the user can select the probe, but the operation is time-consuming and requires direct physical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects which probe the user is holding through motion sensors and orientation sensors, and autonomously selects and configures the appropriate probe without requiring manual button presses or user interaction. The probe selection process serves itself by detecting the user's natural probe-handling behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical button-pressing interface is replaced with automatic sensor-based detection. Motion sensors detect when the probe is picked up, and orientation sensors determine the probe type based on its spatial orientation, eliminating the need for mechanical or manual selection operations.
2Ease of operation
If manual probe selection is used, then the user can select the probe, but direct physical contact compromises sterile environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and selects the probe based on sensor data from the probe itself, eliminating the need for the user to physically touch or interact with the ultrasound system's control interface. This self-service mechanism maintains sterile conditions by removing unnecessary physical contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
Motion sensors and orientation sensors act as intermediaries between the probe and the system's probe selection functionality. These sensors detect probe characteristics without requiring direct physical contact between the user and the system, serving as a sterile interface that transmits selection information without contamination risk.
3Productivity
If automatic probe detection is implemented, then probe selection is rapid and sterile, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensors and orientation sensors serve multiple functions: detecting when the probe is picked up, determining probe type, and triggering automatic selection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each detection task, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects probe characteristics by monitoring changes in motion parameters and orientation parameters. By using parameter changes from existing sensor capabilities rather than adding specialized detection hardware, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving rapid automatic probe detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatically detecting of the probe which is selected for the use by the user without manual commands by the user and comprising monitoring the operational status of the probe by discriminating between probe not in use and probe in use by sensing at least the motion of the probe and by setting automatically a probe in an active status if a motion of the probe is sensed and setting the probe in an inactive status if the probe is stationary.