Ultrasound Probe and View Image Synchronization for Remote Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasound diagnosis, capturing ultrasound images at remote locations, such as home care settings, requires operators with varying skill levels, leading to inconsistent image quality and diagnostic accuracy due to the operator's inability to confirm the image capture state.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound system comprising an ultrasound probe, a mobile information terminal, and an external apparatus, with wireless communication and image synchronization units to transmit and display ultrasound and view images, allowing for synchronized viewing and input operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ultrasound images are captured at remote locations by operators with low skill levels, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but image quality and diagnostic accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images using both the ultrasound probe and a camera, then overlays these images to provide visual feedback to the operator. This feedback mechanism allows operators with low skill levels to see what the camera is capturing and adjust their probe positioning accordingly, thereby improving image quality without requiring high operator skill or presence of a skilled operator at the remote location.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary between the operator and the ultrasound image capture process. By capturing the scene and overlaying it with the ultrasound image, the camera provides a visual mediator that guides the operator's probe positioning, enabling low-skill operators to achieve high-quality images remotely without needing a skilled operator present.
2Manufacturing precision
If operators personally confirm ultrasound images during capture, then image quality improves, but remote operation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the camera image with the ultrasound image into a single composite display. This combination allows the operator to simultaneously see both the visual scene captured by the camera and the ultrasound data, providing the confirmation normally obtained by personally viewing the ultrasound image while maintaining remote operation capability. The overlaid images are displayed together, enabling the operator to confirm image quality without being physically present at the capture location.
3Measurement precision
If skilled operators are deployed to remote locations, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but operational complexity and resource requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The image overlay system provides real-time visual feedback that guides operators through the imaging process, reducing the need for highly skilled operators. By showing both the camera view and ultrasound image simultaneously, the system creates an intuitive interface that simplifies the operation, allowing less skilled personnel to perform accurate diagnostics without requiring complex training or procedures.
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
Ensures accurate and high-quality ultrasound imaging and diagnosis by synchronizing ultrasound and view images, even when captured at remote locations, improving diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasound probe transmits ultrasonic waves toward a subject and receives ultrasound echoes from the subject
Implementation Method 2
a camera unit that acquires a view image obtained by imaging a scanning point of the ultrasound probe in a subject
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
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 reception data generation unit that generates reception data before imaging based on a sound ray signal, and a probe-side wireless communication unit (24) that wirelessly transmits the reception data. The mobile information terminal (3) includes a camera unit (33) that acquires a view image, and a terminal-side wireless communication unit (31) that wirelessly transmits the view image. The external apparatus (4) includes an external wireless communication unit (41) that is wirelessly connected to at least the terminal-side wireless communication unit (31), an external monitor (45), and a display controller (44) that displays an ultrasound image generated based on the reception data and the view image on the external monitor (45).