Wireless Probe Tracking for Flexible Ultrasound Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound systems integrated with probe tracking systems incur high costs and design constraints, and there is a need for a more flexible configuration that allows for separate components without impacting certification or device design.
Innovation Solution
A system where the probe tracking unit is physically separated from the ultrasound imaging device and communicates via a short-range wireless protocol, allowing for a cart-based configuration with releasable mechanical and electric connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the probe tracking system is integrated into the ultrasound imaging device, then the system provides complete functionality for image acquisition and tracking, but the device complexity and certification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: an ultrasound imaging device and a separate probe tracking system. The tracking system includes its own processing unit and detecting sensors, while the ultrasound device focuses on image acquisition. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies certification requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe tracking functionality is extracted from the ultrasound imaging device and implemented as a separate system. The tracking processing unit and detecting sensors are physically separated from the ultrasound device, connected only through wireless communication. This extraction reduces the complexity and certification burden of the ultrasound device while maintaining complete tracking functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the probe tracking system is integrated into the ultrasound imaging device, then the components work together seamlessly, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into separate ultrasound imaging and tracking components, each can be manufactured independently using standard production processes. The ultrasound device can be produced without incorporating tracking hardware, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining operational seamlessness through wireless communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate tracking system can serve multiple ultrasound devices and potentially other imaging applications, amortizing the tracking system cost across multiple uses. This multi-functionality approach reduces the per-device cost compared to integrating tracking into each ultrasound device.
3Ease of manufacture
If the probe tracking system is separated from the ultrasound imaging device, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and design flexibility increases, but the communication between components requires wireless protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The physical/wired connection between the ultrasound device and tracking system is replaced with wireless communication. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical connectors and cables, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining data transmission functionality through established wireless protocols.
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 reduces costs, eliminates certification impacts, and provides flexibility in device design, enabling efficient probe tracking without integrating tracking systems into ultrasound devices.
Implementation Method 1
a unit transmitting an ultrasonic beam through the transducers within a body under examination
Implementation Method 2
a unit receiving and processing ultrasound signals received from the transducers
Data Source
AI summary
A system for acquiring ultrasound diagnostic images is provided that has an ultrasound imaging device and a probe tracking system. The ultrasound imaging device has: a probe provided with one or more electroacoustic transducers; a unit transmitting an ultrasonic beam through the transducers within a body under examination; and a unit receiving and processing ultrasound signals received from the transducers for generating real-time images. The a probe tracking system has probe detecting sensors and a processing unit for calculating the probe position and/or the probe orientation and/or the probe displacement from the data provided by the probe detecting sensors At least the processing unit of the probe tracking unit is a physically separated unit from the ultrasound imaging device and said ultrasound imaging device and said probe tracking system communicate by means of a short-range wireless communication protocol being provided respectively with a corresponding transmitting and/or receiving communication unit.