Ultrasound Probe Wireless Signal Processing for Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasound systems with wireless communication between the probe and the image display device, temperature-related issues in the apparatus main body can reduce processing capability, leading to delayed signal processing and difficulties in normal image display.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe with a transducer array, a transmitting and receiving unit, an image information data generation unit, and a probe-side wireless communication unit. The image display device has a display unit, an operating state acquisition unit, and a display-device-side wireless communication unit. The system allows the ultrasound probe to adjust ultrasonic wave transmission and reception based on the image display device's operating state, ensuring normal image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the apparatus main body processes signals at high capability, then image quality and processing speed are improved, but temperature increases causing processing capability reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal processing function into two separate locations: the ultrasound probe performs initial signal processing and generates image information data, while the apparatus main body performs final image generation. This segmentation reduces the processing burden and heat generation in the apparatus main body, allowing high-speed signal processing without excessive temperature increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the ultrasound probe and the apparatus main body. The probe processes signals and transmits image information data wirelessly to the main body, which then generates the final image. This intermediary approach allows the main body to maintain high processing capability while avoiding continuous high-load operation that causes temperature increase.
2Temperature
If processing capability is reduced to prevent temperature increase, then temperature control is improved, but image display is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound probe performs preliminary signal processing and generates image information data before transmitting it to the apparatus main body. This preliminary action ensures that when the data reaches the main body, minimal processing is needed, enabling fast image display even when the main body operates at reduced processing capability to control temperature.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used to improve mobility, then ease of operation is improved, but data transmission delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy signal processing function from the apparatus main body and places it in the ultrasound probe. Only the essential image information data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, rather than raw signal data. This extraction reduces the amount of data transmitted wirelessly, minimizing transmission delays while maintaining probe mobility.
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 configuration enables normal ultrasound image display regardless of the apparatus main body's operating state, by adjusting the scanning rate and output format of the ultrasound image signal based on the image display device's processing capability and wireless communication state.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe having a transducer array provided therein... Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasound probe to a subject. The ultrasound probe receives ultrasound echoes from the subject.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultrasound system including an ultrasound probe and an image display device. The ultrasound probe includes: a transducer array, a transmitting and receiving unit that generates a sound ray signal on the basis of a reception signal from the transducer array; an image information data generation unit that generates image information data from the sound ray signal; and a probe-side wireless communication unit that transmits the image information data to the image display device. The image display device includes: an operating state acquisition unit that acquires an operating state of the image display device; and a display-device-side wireless communication unit that transmits the operating state to the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes at least one of an ultrasound transmission and reception control unit that controls transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves on the basis of the operating state of the image display device or an output format setting unit that sets an output format of the image information data on the basis of the operating state of the image display device.