Wireless Ultrasonic Probe Power Switching for High-Energy Imaging Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless ultrasonic probes face limitations in operation time due to high power consumption modes like shear wave elastography (SWE) and continuous-wave doppler (CW) modes, and lack of space for a separate power source and reception circuit.

Innovation Solution

A wireless ultrasonic probe equipped with a main power source unit and an auxiliary power supply device, including an auxiliary battery and reception circuit, controlled by a processor to manage power distribution based on operation modes, enabling high power modes like CW and SWE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a wireless ultrasonic probe uses a single main battery, then the device maintains wireless portability and simplified structure, but the operation time is significantly reduced in high power consumption modes such as shear wave elastography (SWE) and continuous-wave doppler (CW) modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation timeVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent power sources: a main battery for basic operations and an auxiliary battery for high power consumption modes. This segmentation allows the probe to switch between power sources based on operational requirements, thereby extending operation time in high power modes without compromising wireless portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary battery is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be attached to the probe body when high power modes are needed, and it can also function as an external power supply for charging the main battery. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing extended operation capability while maintaining the simplified single-battery structure for normal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the internal space of the wireless ultrasonic probe is kept compact, then the device maintains portability and ease of operation, but it becomes difficult to implement a separate power source and separate reception circuit required for operation modes such as the CW mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation mode capabilityVSAvoidprobe size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reception circuit is segmented from the main probe body and placed in the auxiliary battery unit. This segmentation allows the probe to maintain a compact size for portability while still implementing the separate reception circuit required for CW mode and other advanced operation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary battery unit acts as an intermediary component that houses both the auxiliary power source and the reception circuit. This intermediary structure resolves the space constraint by providing a separate compartment for additional functionality without increasing the main probe's volume, thereby enabling versatile operation modes while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If a separate auxiliary power supply device is added to enable high power modes, then the probe gains extended operation capability, but the device complexity increases with additional components like switches, voltage variable modules, and capacitor circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation timeVSAvoidpower supply structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary power supply device merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the auxiliary battery, voltage variable module, capacitor circuits, and control switches are all combined in the auxiliary battery unit. This merging approach enables extended operation capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by consolidating components rather than adding separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables extended operation in high power modes and provides a separate reception circuit, allowing for wide-ranging diagnostic use without battery limitations.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission module provided to transmit an ultrasonic signal to an object, a reception module provided to receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic transmission and reception: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

a main power source unit provided to supply electric power to the transmission module, an auxiliary power source unit provided to supply electric power to the transmission module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery electrochemical conversion: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP4527309B1Wireless ultrasonic probe
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP4527309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4527309B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4527309B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a wireless probe including a transmission module configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to an object, a main power source unit configured to supply electric power to the transmission module, an auxiliary power supply device including an auxiliary power source unit configured to supply electric power to the transmission module, and at least one processor configured to control the main power source unit or the auxiliary power source unit to supply electric power to the transmission module from the main power source unit or the auxiliary power source unit based on receiving a command to initiate an operating mode.