Ultrasound Probe Angular Offset Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound scanners with mechanical sectorial scanning using stepper motors face challenges with angular offset errors, leading to image shaking and distortion, which are not effectively addressed by conventional error measurement equipment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation method for an ultrasound scanner includes a drive system with a stepper motor and a transducer element carrier, which scans alternating sectors. An imaging algorithm reconstructs the area of interest by juxtaposing echo line image points, and an angular offset correction is applied by approximating successive emitted and return images, minimizing image shaking without additional error measuring equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stepper motor is used to drive the transducer element carrier for mechanical sectorial scanning, then the device complexity is reduced and reliability is improved, but angular offset errors occur causing image shaking and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical position measurement system with an electronic/image-based measurement system. Instead of using mechanical encoders or position sensors on the stepper motor, the system uses the ultrasound imaging algorithm to detect angular offset errors by analyzing the geometric consistency of sectorial scan lines. This substitution eliminates the need for additional mechanical error measurement equipment while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasound imaging system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction of angular offset errors. The imaging algorithm automatically detects position errors by analyzing the geometric relationships between successive scan lines and compensates for these errors through software processing, without requiring external measurement devices or additional hardware components.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional error measurement equipment is added to correct angular offset, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound imaging algorithm serves multiple functions: it not only generates the diagnostic images but also simultaneously performs position error detection and correction. The same processing unit that reconstructs the image from echo lines also analyzes the geometric consistency to detect angular offsets, eliminating the need for separate measurement and correction systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces dedicated mechanical position measurement equipment with the existing ultrasound imaging processing system. The angular offset detection is performed by analyzing the geometric relationships within the image data itself, using the same computational resources already allocated for image reconstruction, thereby avoiding additional hardware complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If mechanical scanning is used instead of electronic scanning, then ease of manufacture is improved, but angular offset errors cause image shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of angular offset errors into a detectable signal. By analyzing the geometric inconsistencies in the scanned image lines, the system identifies the magnitude and direction of position errors. These errors, which would normally cause image shaking, are instead used as measurement data to drive the correction process, transforming a defect into a diagnostic tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical precision positioning systems with a simpler mechanical scanning mechanism coupled with software-based error detection and correction. The ease of manufacture of mechanical scanning is preserved while the image shaking problem is solved through electronic/image processing rather than mechanical precision improvements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively reduces and eliminates image shaking caused by angular offset errors, improving the quality of ultrasound images without the need for additional error measurement tools, thereby enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of ultrasound scanning.
Implementation Method 1
at least one piezoelectric transducer element with an oscillating and pivoting mount
Implementation Method 2
a drive system including a stepper motor and a transducer element carrier, which scans alternating sectors
Data Source
AI summary
This implementation method is used for an ultrasound scanner including an ultrasound scanner probe used to explore an area of interest on the human body, in which a drive system including a stepper motor and a carrier supporting a transducer element is controlled in order to pick up echo lines via the transducer element. An imaging algorithm is applied and image points are analyzed along an arc at a given depth for two series of successive emission and return echo lines, in order to determine the angular offset of the image points in the two successive arcs and calculate the angular offset of the emission echo lines and return lines induced by the operation of the drive system, and then offset is corrected.