Wireless Ultrasound Probe Interface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical diagnostic ultrasound systems are hindered by cumbersome and expensive probe cables, which can cause repetitive stress injuries and contaminate sterile surgical fields, limiting maneuverability and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A wireless ultrasound probe with a hermetically sealed transducer array and a separate user interface, allowing for control of imaging procedures via mechanical switches or touchpanel technology, with options for minimal controls on the probe or a separate wireless user interface, enabling greater control and display functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cable connects the probe to the ultrasound system, then the probe can be controlled and data transmitted, but the cable becomes cumbersome and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable connection from the probe system, extracting the data transmission function to a wireless communication module. This eliminates the physical cable that caused weight and maneuverability issues, allowing the probe to be used freely without being tethered to the ultrasound system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with a wireless communication system using radio frequency transceivers. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints of the cable while maintaining the essential data transmission function between the probe and ultrasound system.
2Reliability
If a cable connects the probe to the ultrasound system, then data can be transmitted, but the cable can contaminate the sterile field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable from the probe assembly, extracting the data transmission function to wireless communication. This eliminates the cable that could contaminate the sterile field during surgical procedures, allowing the probe to be used in sterile environments without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with wireless RF communication, substituting a potential contamination source with a non-contact data transmission method that maintains sterile field integrity while preserving full probe accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If controls are placed on the probe, then the probe can be operated independently, but the probe size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasound system into distinct functional modules: the probe handles only data acquisition and wireless transmission, while the ultrasound system handles control functions and image processing. This segmentation allows the probe to remain simple and lightweight while maintaining full operational capability through wireless connectivity.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, a probe controller, and a transceiver which wirelessly receives control signals from and transmits image signals to a host system. Mounted on the probe case is a liquid-tight user interface including basic probe user controls such as directional controls, an image freeze control, and an image save control. The user interface may be fabricated as a touchpanel LCD or OLED display. The probe may alternatively be controlled by a separate user interface which wirelessly transmits control signals to the host system or the probe. Either user interface may also include a display such as battery charge and signal strength indicators.