Ultrasound Probe Wireless Sync with View Image for Remote Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasound diagnosis, capturing images at remote locations, such as home care settings, often results in low-quality images due to the operator's lack of skill, and observers cannot accurately assess the image capture technique, leading to inaccurate diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound system comprising an ultrasound probe, a mobile information terminal, and an external apparatus, where the probe transmits ultrasound images wirelessly, and the terminal captures a view image of the scanning point, allowing real-time synchronization and display on an external monitor, enabling guidance on probe freeze instructions to control image capture and improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an operator with low skill operates the ultrasound probe at remote locations, then the system can be deployed in home care settings, but the image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the observer's guidance is transmitted back to the operator in real-time. The observer can provide instructions on probe positioning and imaging parameters, and the operator receives this guidance immediately, allowing continuous improvement of image quality even when the operator has low skill level.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the observer. It enables the transmission of guidance information from the observer to the operator, facilitating coordinated operation and ensuring that high-quality images are captured despite the operator's limited expertise.
2Ease of operation
If the operator operates the ultrasound probe without real-time guidance, then the operation is simple, but the observer cannot accurately assess the image capture technique
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time communication channel provides continuous feedback from the observer to the operator during the imaging process. This allows the observer to assess and guide the operator's techniques live, ensuring diagnostic accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated guidance transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and transmits guidance information in advance based on the observer's assessment of the imaging situation. This preliminary guidance helps the operator adjust probe positioning and imaging parameters before capturing each image, ensuring high diagnostic accuracy.
3Device complexity
If the observer views the ultrasound image without seeing the probe scanning point, then the observation is straightforward, but the observer cannot determine whether appropriate skill involving the hands was used
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the view image (showing probe scanning point) with the ultrasound image through synchronization. This combination allows the observer to simultaneously see both the probe position and the corresponding ultrasound image, enabling accurate assessment of the operator's hand skills while maintaining a straightforward observation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension by capturing and displaying the probe scanning point location alongside the ultrasound image. This dimensional addition provides the observer with the contextual information needed to evaluate operator skill level without complicating the overall observation process.
4Productivity
If the operator captures ultrasound images without synchronization with view images, then the capture process is simple, but the observer cannot accurately evaluate the correspondence between probe position and image content
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization mechanism provides real-time feedback that aligns the timing of view image capture with ultrasound image capture. This ensures that the probe scanning point and the corresponding ultrasound image are captured simultaneously, providing accurate correspondence information while maintaining efficient image capture productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary synchronization setup before capturing images, establishing the temporal and spatial relationship between view images and ultrasound images. This preliminary action ensures accurate correspondence without adding complexity to the actual image capture process.
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 system ensures accurate and high-quality ultrasound image capture even at remote locations by allowing real-time guidance and synchronization of ultrasound and view images, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and training capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasound probe transmits ultrasonic waves toward a subject and receives ultrasound echoes from the subject
Implementation Method 2
a transmission and reception circuit that transmits an ultrasonic wave from the transducer array and generates a sound ray signal based on a reception signal acquired by the transducer array
Implementation Method 3
the mobile information terminal includes a camera unit that acquires a view image obtained by imaging a scanning point of the ultrasound probe in a subject
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound system (1) includes an ultrasound probe (2), a mobile information terminal (3), and an external apparatus (4). The ultrasound probe (2) includes a transmission and reception circuit (22) that transmits an ultrasonic wave from a transducer array (21) and generates a sound ray signal, and a reception data generation unit that generates reception data before imaging based on the sound ray signal. The mobile information terminal (3) includes a camera unit (33) that acquires a view image. The external apparatus (4) includes a display controller (44) that displays an ultrasound image generated based on the reception data and the view image on an external monitor (45), and an input device (47). In a case where a probe freeze instruction is input from the input device (47), the transmission of the ultrasonic wave from the transducer array (21) is stopped.