Wireless Ultrasound Probe Discharge Circuit for Stored Voltage Hazards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasound probes are susceptible to damage due to stored high voltage when events such as changes in bias voltage, falls, or water leakage occur, which can lead to capacitor damage.
Innovation Solution
A wireless ultrasound probe is equipped with a discharge module that detects potential damaging events and initiates a discharge operation to safely release stored high voltage from the capacitor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high voltage is stored in the capacitor to generate pulse voltage for ultrasound transmission, then the ultrasound signal transmission capability is improved, but the probe becomes vulnerable to damage when events such as bias voltage changes, falls, or water leakage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge module continuously monitors the state of the capacitor and proactively discharges the stored high voltage when a potential damage event is detected, before the event can cause actual damage to the probe components. This preliminary protective action prevents the harmful effects of stored voltage during adverse conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge module acts as an intermediary protective mechanism between the capacitor storing high voltage and the vulnerable probe components. When a damage event is detected, the discharge module intervenes by providing a controlled discharge path, preventing the high voltage from directly damaging the probe circuitry.
2Reliability
If the discharge module continuously monitors for damage events, then the probe protection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge module is designed to handle multiple types of damage events (bias voltage changes, falls, water leakage) with a single unified structure. By making the discharge module multi-functional, the patent avoids needing separate protection circuits for each type of event, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge module autonomously monitors capacitor voltage and automatically activates discharge operations when damage events are detected, without requiring external control or additional monitoring circuits. This self-service capability simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for separate control logic for each protection function.
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
The discharge module effectively prevents probe damage by safely dissipating stored high voltage, ensuring the probe's integrity and functionality during adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The probe may store high voltage in a capacitor to generate a pulse voltage
Implementation Method 2
the discharge module may be configured to start a discharge operation for discharging the high voltage stored in the capacitor
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Provided are a wireless ultrasound probe and a control method thereof, and in particular, a wireless ultrasound probe and a control method thereof, the wireless ultrasound probe including a battery circuit, a switching circuit, a pulse circuit, a transducer, a capacitor, and a discharge module, wherein the switching circuit is configured to generate a high voltage used by the pulse circuit to output a transmission signal and store the high voltage in the capacitor, and the discharge module is configured to detect whether a first event has occurred that causes damage to the wireless ultrasound probe due to the high voltage stored in the capacitor, and in response to detecting the first event, start a discharge operation for discharging the high voltage stored in the capacitor.