Ultrasound Probe Optical Synchronization for Waterproof Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in establishing synchronization between the ultrasound probe and inspection apparatuses during acoustic measurement inspections due to environmental interference, making it difficult to achieve accurate synchronization without a signal cable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light emission unit and light emission control unit within the ultrasound probe that emits light in synchronization with ultrasonic wave transmission timings, allowing the inspection apparatus to generate synchronization signals based on this light, thereby establishing accurate synchronization without the need for a signal cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless communication is used to transmit synchronization signals between the ultrasound probe and inspection apparatus, then the ultrasound probe can be made waterproof with a closed structure without signal cables, but the transmission timing fluctuates due to environmental interference and synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An optical fiber is introduced as an intermediary transmission medium between the ultrasound probe and inspection apparatus. The optical fiber transmits light signals that are used to generate synchronization signals, providing stable timing transmission that is immune to environmental interference while maintaining the waterproof closed structure of the probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical signal transmission system is replaced with an optical transmission system. Instead of using electrical signals that are susceptible to environmental interference, the patent uses light signals transmitted through optical fiber to carry synchronization information, achieving both waterproof capability and high synchronization accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a signal cable is pulled out from the ultrasound probe for acoustic measurement inspection, then synchronization can be established with high accuracy, but the waterproof structure is compromised and the probe cannot be made fully sealed
Solution Approach 1:
An optical fiber is introduced as an intermediary transmission medium between the ultrasound probe and inspection apparatus. The optical fiber transmits light signals that are used to generate synchronization signals, providing stable timing transmission that is immune to environmental interference while maintaining the waterproof closed structure of the probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical signal transmission system is replaced with an optical transmission system. Instead of using electrical signals that are susceptible to environmental interference, the patent uses light signals transmitted through optical fiber to carry synchronization information, achieving both waterproof capability and high synchronization accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for data transmission, then the ultrasound probe achieves mobility and operability improvement, but synchronization timing stability deteriorates during high-speed data acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The communication functions are segmented into two separate channels: wireless communication for data transmission (maintaining mobility) and optical fiber communication for synchronization signal transmission (ensuring timing stability). This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical fiber is introduced as an intermediary transmission medium between the ultrasound probe and inspection apparatus. The optical fiber transmits light signals that are used to generate synchronization signals, providing stable timing transmission that is immune to environmental interference while maintaining the waterproof closed structure of the probe.
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 solution enables precise synchronization between the ultrasound probe and inspection apparatus, ensuring timing stability and reproducibility during high-speed data acquisition, even in wireless systems, thereby improving the accuracy of manufacturing inspections.
Implementation Method 1
a light emission unit which is housed in the housing, and emits light to an outside of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound probe includes a housing; a transducer array housed in the housing; a transmission/reception unit which is housed in the housing, transmits ultrasonic wave from the transducer array, and generates a sound ray signal on the basis of a reception signal acquired by the transducer array; an image information data generation unit which is housed in the housing, and generates image information data on the basis of the sound ray signal generated by the transmission/reception unit; a wireless communication unit which is housed in the housing, and wirelessly transmits the image information data generated by the image information data generation unit; a light emission unit which is housed in the housing, and emits light to an outside of the housing; and a light emission control unit which is housed in the housing, and causes the light emission unit to emit light in synchronization with a transmission timing of the ultrasonic wave by the transmission/reception unit in a case of a manufacturing inspection.