EP4580504A1 - Appareil, système et procédé servant à commander une image échographique sur une unité d'affichage sur la base d'une entrée de capteur au niveau d'un dispositif d'échographie - Google Patents

Appareil, système et procédé servant à commander une image échographique sur une unité d'affichage sur la base d'une entrée de capteur au niveau d'un dispositif d'échographie

Info

Publication number
EP4580504A1
EP4580504A1 EP22957586.5A EP22957586A EP4580504A1 EP 4580504 A1 EP4580504 A1 EP 4580504A1 EP 22957586 A EP22957586 A EP 22957586A EP 4580504 A1 EP4580504 A1 EP 4580504A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ultrasound
imaging device
ultrasound imaging
sensor
input
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22957586.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Tanya L. FRANE
Sandeep Akkaraju
Brian Bircumshaw
Janusz Bryzek
Arun NAGDEV
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Exo Imaging Inc
Original Assignee
Exo Imaging Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Exo Imaging Inc filed Critical Exo Imaging Inc
Publication of EP4580504A1 publication Critical patent/EP4580504A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/54—Control of the diagnostic device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/08—Clinical applications
    • A61B8/0883—Clinical applications for diagnosis of the heart
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/42—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient
    • A61B8/4245—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/42—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient
    • A61B8/4245—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
    • A61B8/4254—Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient using sensors mounted on the probe
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
    • A61B8/4455—Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
    • A61B8/4472—Wireless probes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/46—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
    • A61B8/461—Displaying means of special interest
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/46—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
    • A61B8/461—Displaying means of special interest
    • A61B8/465—Displaying means of special interest adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/46—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
    • A61B8/467—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient characterised by special input means

Definitions

  • Embodiments relate in general to the field of ultrasonic imaging devices.
  • a user typically uses one hand to hold and guide the ultrasonic probe, while using his/her other hand to operate a user interface associated with the ultrasonic probe in order to control ultrasound exam functions such as freezing or saving ultrasound images on a display.
  • the state of the art provides either a physical push button at a fixed region of the ultrasound probe housing, or a foot pedal, or voice, or VR headset, and this in order to allow ultrasound exam functions to be controlled by the user during the ultrasound exam process.
  • Physical push buttons of the state of the art require the user to change his/her grip during an ultrasound exam in order to be able to control ultrasound exam functions, which can move the probe and negatively affect the ultrasound image being generated therefrom by altering a set ultrasound image location that the computing system expects.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging device in accordance with some embodiments.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in accordance with some embodiments.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound imaging device in accordance with some embodiments.
  • Figs. 4A and 4B which show perspective views of a state of the art handheld ultrasonic probe being held in two different manners.
  • Figs. 4A and 4B which show perspective views of a state of the art handheld ultrasonic probe being held in two different manners.
  • FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of sensor circuitry and of sensor signal processing circuitry according to an embodiment where both components are within a single package.
  • Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart of a process according to an embodiment.
  • Fig. 8 depicts a flowchart of a process according to another embodiment.
  • Ultrasound imaging devices such as handheld ultrasound imaging devices, may require the use of three hands when scanning, using an associated operating interface, and using a medical device such as a needle or catheter in order to perform a procedure on a patient.
  • a medical device such as a needle or catheter
  • one hand is used to guide the ultrasound imaging device during scanning
  • another hand is used to interact with the operating user interface, such as a computing system that includes an ultrasound display
  • a third hand may be required to control a medical tool such as a needle or catheter on a patient during a procedural ultrasound.
  • Some embodiments advantageously allow a user to operate the user interface associated with an ultrasound imaging device without a need to change his/her grip on the ultrasound imaging device or without a need to move a finger along a height direction of the ultrasound imaging device, during a diagnostic or a procedural ultrasound examination.
  • Ultrasound imaging devices may be used to image internal tissue, bones, blood flow, or organs of human or animal bodies in a non-invasive manner. The images can then be displayed. To perform ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound imaging devices transmit an ultrasonic signal into the body and receive a reflected signal from the body part being imaged.
  • Such ultrasound imaging devices include transducers and associated electronics, which may be referred to as transceivers or imagers, and which may be based on photo-acoustic or ultrasonic effects.
  • transducers may be used for imaging and may be used in other applications as well.
  • the transducers may be used in medical imaging; flow measurements in arteries and pipes, can form speakers and microphone arrays; can perform lithotripsy; localized tissue heating for therapeutic; and highly intensive focused ultrasound (HIFU) surgery.
  • HIFU highly intensive focused ultrasound
  • examples of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety of ways, such as a process, one or more processors (processing circuitry) of a control circuitry, one or more processors (or processing circuitry) of a computing device, a system, a device, or a method on a tangible computer-readable medium.
  • processors processing circuitry
  • processors or processing circuitry
  • One skilled in the art shall recognize: (1) that certain fabrication operations may optionally be performed; (2) that operations may not be limited to the specific order set forth herein; and (3) that certain operations may be performed in different orders, including being done contemporaneously, and (4) operations may involve using Artificial Intelligence.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging device 100 with a controller or control circuitry 106 controlling selectively alterable channels (108, 110) and having imaging computations performed on a computing device 112 according to principles described herein.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 100 may be used to generate an image of internal tissue, bones, blood flow, or organs of human or animal bodies. Accordingly, the ultrasound imaging device 100 may transmit a signal into the body and receive a reflected signal from the body part being imaged.
  • control circuitry 106 may be configured to control certain transducer elements 104 to send pressure waves toward the target object being imaged while other transducer elements 104, at the same time, receive the pressure waves/ultrasonic energy reflected from the target object, and generate electrical charges based on the same in response to the received waves/received ultrasonic energy/received energy.
  • each transducer element 104 may be configured to transmit or receive signals at a certain frequency and bandwidth associated with a center frequency, as well as, optionally, at additional center frequencies and bandwidths.
  • Such multi-frequency transducer elements 104 may be referred to as multi-modal elements 104 and can expand the bandwidth of the ultrasound imaging device 100.
  • the transducer element 104 may be able to emit or receive signals at any suitable center frequency, such as about 0.1 to about 100 megahertz.
  • the transducer element 104 may be configured to emit or receive signals at one or more center frequencies in the range from about .0.1 to about 100 megahertz.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 100 may include a number of transmit (Tx) channels 108 and a number of receive (Rx) channels 110.
  • the transmit channels 108 may include a number of components that drive the transducer 102, i.e., the array of transducer elements 104, with a voltage pulse at a frequency that they are responsive to.
  • the control circuitry may include the transmit channels 108 and the receive channels 110.
  • the transducer elements 104 of a transducer 102 may be formed into a two-dimensional spatial array with N columns and M rows. In a specific example, the two-dimensional array of transducer elements 104 may have 128 columns and 32 rows.
  • each transducer element 104 may be coupled to its dedicated transmit channel 108 and its dedicated receive channel 110.
  • a transducer element 104 may be coupled to both a transmit channel 108 and a receive channel 110.
  • a transducer element 104 may be adapted to create and transmit an ultrasound pulse and then detect the echo of that pulse in the form of converting the reflected ultrasonic energy into electrical energy.
  • the control circuitry 106 may be embodied as any circuit or circuits configured to perform the functions described herein.
  • control circuitry 106 may be embodied as or otherwise include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system-on-a-chip, a processor and memory, a voltage source, a current source, one or more amplifiers, one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more analog-to- digital converters, etc.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • the illustrative computing device 112 may be embodied as any suitable computing device including any suitable components, such as one or more processors (i.e. one or more processing circuitries), one or more memory circuitries, one or more communication circuitries, one or more batteries, one or more displays, etc.
  • the computing device 112 may be integrated with the control circuitry 106, transducers 102, etc., into a single microelectronic package or single chip, or a single system on a chip (SoC), or a single ultrasound imaging device housing as suggested for example in the embodiment of Fig. 1.
  • some or all of the computing devices may be in a separate microelectronic package from the control circuitry, or in a separate device distinct from the ultrasound imaging device such as an ultrasound imaging probe, as suggested for example in the embodiment of in Fig. 2 as will be described in further detail below.
  • Each transducer element may have any suitable shape such as, square, rectangle, ellipse, or circle.
  • Transducer elements 104 may have associated transmit driver circuits of associated transmit channels, and low noise amplifiers of associated receive channels.
  • a transmit channel may include transmit drivers
  • a receive channel may include one or more low noise amplifiers.
  • the transmit and receive channels may each include multiplexing and address control circuitry to enable specific transducer elements and sets of transducer elements to be activated, deactivated or put in low power mode.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram of an imaging environment including an imaging system 200 with selectively configurable characteristics, according to an embodiment.
  • the imaging system of Fig. 2 may include an ultrasound imaging device 202 (which may be similar to ultrasound imaging device 300 described below in the context of Fig. 3) and a computing system 222 which includes a computing device 216 and a display 220 coupled to the computing device, as will be described in further detail below.
  • the computing device 216 may, according to one embodiment, and unlike the embodiment of Fig.
  • the computing device 216 and display device 220 may be disposed within a separate device (in this context, the shown computing system 222, physically separate from imaging device 202 during operation) as compared with the components of the ultrasound imaging device 202.
  • the computing system 222 may include a mobile device, such as cell phone or tablet, or a stationary computing device, which can display images to a user.
  • the display device, the computing device, and associated display may be part of the ultrasound imaging device 202 (now shown). That is, the ultrasound imaging device 100, computing device 216, and display device 220 may be disposed within a single housing.
  • a “computing device” as referred to herein may, in some embodiments, be configured to generate signals to at least one of cause an image of the object to be displayed on a display, or cause information regarding the image to be communicated to a user.
  • a “computing device,” as referred to herein may, in some embodiments, be configured to receive sensor signals from sensor circuitry of an ultrasound imaging device, and to process those sensor signals to cause generation of execution signals to cause execution of ultrasound exam functions based on the sensor signals.
  • the imaging system includes the ultrasound imaging device 202 that is configured to generate and transmit, via the transmit channels (Fig. 1, 108), pressure waves 210 toward an object, such as a heart 214, in a transmit mode/process.
  • the internal organ, or other object to be imaged may reflect a portion of the pressure waves 210 toward the ultrasound imaging device 202 which may receive, via a transducer (such as transducer 102 of Fig. 1), receive channels (Fig. 1, 110), control circuitry (Fig. 1, 106), the reflected pressure waves.
  • the transducer may generate an electrical signal based on the received ultrasonic energy in a receive mode/process.
  • a transmit mode or receive mode may be applicable in the context of imaging devices that may be configured to either transmit or receive, but at different times. However, as noted previously, some imaging devices according to embodiments may be adapted to be in both a transmit mode and a receive mode simultaneously.
  • the system also includes a computing device 216 that is to communicate with the ultrasound imaging device 100 through a communication channel, such as a wireless communication channel 218 as shown, although embodiments also encompass within their scope wired communication between a computing system and imaging device.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 100 may communicate signals to the computing device 216 which may have one or more processors to process the received signals to complete formation of an image of the object.
  • a display device 220 of the computing system 222 may then display images of the object using the signals from the computing device.
  • An imaging device may include a portable device, and/or a handheld device that is adapted to communicate signals through a communication channel, either wirelessly (using a wireless communication protocol, such as an IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, including Bluetooth Low Energy, a mmWave communication protocol, or any other wireless communication protocol as would be within the knowledge of a skilled person) or via a wired connection such as a cable (such as USB2, USB 3, USB 3.1, and USB-C) or such as interconnects on a microelectronic device, with the computing device.
  • a wireless communication protocol such as an IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, including Bluetooth Low Energy, a mmWave communication protocol, or any other wireless communication protocol as would be within the knowledge of a skilled person
  • a wired connection such as a cable (such as USB2, USB 3, USB 3.1, and USB-C) or such as interconnects on a microelectronic device, with the computing device.
  • the ultrasound imaging device may include a port for receiving a cable connection of a cable that is to communicate with the computing device.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 100 may include a wireless transceiver to communicate with the computing device 216.
  • the ultrasound imaging device may include circuitry (such as the channels) to cause ultrasound waveforms to be sent and received through its transducers, while the computing device may be adapted to control such circuitry to the generate ultrasound waveforms at the transducer elements of the ultrasound imaging device using voltage signals, and further a processing of the received ultrasonic energy.
  • Fig. 3 represents a view of an imaging device according to some embodiments, as will be described in further detail below.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 300 may include a handheld casing or housing 331 where transducers 302 and associated electronics are housed.
  • the ultrasound imaging device may also contain a battery 338 to power the electronics.
  • Fig. 3 thus shows an embodiment of a portable imaging device capable of 2D and 3D imaging using pMUTs in a 2D array, optionally built on a silicon wafer.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an imaging device 300 with selectively adjustable features, according to some embodiments.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 300 may be similar to imaging device 100 of Fig. 1, or to imaging device 202 of Fig. 2, by way of example only.
  • the ultrasound imaging device may include an ultrasonic medical probe.
  • Fig. 3 depicts transducer(s) 302 of the ultrasound imaging device 300.
  • the transducer(s) 302 may include arrays of transducer elements (Fig. 1, 104) that are adapted to transmit and receive pressure waves (Fig. 2, 210).
  • the ultrasound imaging device 300 may be embodied as any suitable ultrasonic medical probe, such as a convex array probe, a micro-convex array probe, a linear array probe, an endovaginal probe, endorectal probe, a surgical probe, an intraoperative probe, etc.
  • the user may apply gel on the skin of a living body before a direct contact with the coating layer 322 so that the impedance matching at the interface between the coating layer 322 and the human body may be improved. Impedance matching reduces the loss of the pressure waves (Fig. 2, 210) at the interface and the loss of the reflected wave travelling toward the ultrasound imaging device 300 at the interface.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 300 includes sensor circuitry 335 coupled to the communication circuitry 332 and to the processor circuitry 326.
  • the sensor circuitry 335 may include any sensor circuitry to sense at least a tap on the ultrasound imaging device housing, a tilt or orientation of the ultrasound imaging device.
  • the ultrasound imaging device may also include one or more processors (or processing circuitries) 326 for controlling the components of the ultrasound imaging device 300.
  • One or more processors 326 may be configured to, in addition to control circuitry 106, at least one of control an activation of transducer elements, process signals based on reflected ultrasonic waveforms from the transducer elements or generate signals to cause generation of an image of an object being imaged by one or more processors of a computing device, such as computing device 112 of Fig. 1 or 216 of Fig. 2.
  • One or more processors 326 may further be adapted to perform other processing functions associated with the ultrasound imaging device.
  • the one or more processors 326 may be embodied as any type of processors 326.
  • the one or more processors 326 may be embodied as a single or multi-core processor(s), a single or multi-socket processor, a digital signal processor, a graphics processor, a neural network compute engine, an image processor, a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other processor or processing/controlling circuit.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 300 may also include circuitry 328, such as Analog Front End (AFE), for processing/conditioning signals.
  • AFE Analog Front End
  • the analog front end 328 may be embodied as any circuit or circuits configured to interface with the control circuitry 106 and other components of the ultrasound imaging device, such as the processing circuitry 326.
  • the analog front end 328 may include, e.g., one or more digital-to-analog converters, one or more analog-to-digital converters, one or more amplifiers, etc.
  • the ultrasound imaging device may include a communication unit 332 for communicating data, including control signals, with an external device, such as the computing device (Fig. 2, 216), through for example a port 334 or a wireless transceiver.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 300 may include memory 336 for storing data.
  • the memory 336 may be embodied as any type of volatile or non-volatile memory or data storage capable of performing the functions described herein.
  • the memory 336 may store various data and software used during operation of the ultrasound imaging device 300 such as operating systems, applications, programs, libraries, and drivers.
  • the ultrasound imaging device 300 may include a battery 338 for providing electrical power to the components of the ultrasound imaging device 300.
  • the battery 338 may also include battery charging circuits which may be wireless or wired charging circuits (not shown).
  • the ultrasound imaging device may include a gauge that indicates a battery charge consumed and is used to configure the ultrasound imaging device to optimize power management for improved battery life. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the ultrasound imaging device may be powered by an external power source, such as by plugging the ultrasound imaging device into a wall outlet.
  • the sensor circuitry 335 may be coupled to housing 331 to sense an inertial change at the housing, and to cause, based on the sensed inertial change, one or more ultrasound exam functions to be executed at a computing system associated with the ultrasound imaging device.
  • the housing 331 may have a rigid body, and the sensor circuitry 335 may be coupled to the body of the housing such that inertial changes at the housing may be captured as sensor signals that correspond to the inertial changes.
  • Inertial changes may correspond of one or more taps by the guiding hand of the user on the housing of the ultrasound imaging device.
  • Either the sensor circuitry itself, or sensor signal processing circuitry (sensor signal processing circuitry) 337 distinct from the sensor circuitry, may be configured to use the signals based on a sensed inertial change, and correlate the signals with a tap pattern associated with an ultrasound exam function.
  • the sensor signal processing circuitry may be in the processing circuitry 326 of the ultrasound imaging device 300, or it may be distinct from it (not shown).
  • a tap pattern may include a permutation of one or more tap sequences.
  • a tap sequence may include a single tap or any number of closely spaced (in time) taps. The tap pattern may include any number of such tap sequences.
  • a tap pattern may include a single tap, a double tap, a triple tap, a closely spaced sequence of n taps, a permutation including any number of closely spaced taps followed by any other number of closely spaced taps (e.g. a double tap followed by a quadruple tap, a single tap followed by a double tap, etc.).
  • the sensor signal processing circuitry 337 may use a plurality of tap patterns and correlate each of the tap patterns with a corresponding one of a plurality of ultrasound exam functions.
  • the plurality of tap patterns may include a set of tap patterns that is either preconfigured to the sensor signal processing circuitry, or configurable to the sensor signal processing circuitry by a user.
  • Different patterns of inertial change such as a single tap, a double tap, a triple tap, any number of taps, and any permutation of tap sequences (such as, for example, a single tap followed by a double tap, a double tap followed by a quadruple tap, a single tap followed by a double tap followed by a single tap, etc.) may correspond to inertial change sensed by the sensor circuitry.
  • the time delta between taps may be preconfigured by way of logic within the sensor signal processing circuitry such that it can discern the numbers of taps within a given tap sequence (i.e. single tap, double tap, etc.) and the permutations of sequences of tap numbers (e.g.
  • the sensor circuitry may be coupled to the housing to detect inertial change over a majority of the surface of the housing, over a bottom half of the housing, a top half of the housing, over the bottom 70% of the housing, or at any given surface area of the housing.
  • the sensors are coupled to the housing to detect inertial change at a bottom 70% of the housing, as this is where the user’s hand is likely to be and to cause inertial change without disturbing the user’s grip during an ultrasound exam.
  • the sensor circuitry 335 may, for example, include an accelerometer.
  • the sensor circuitry may, additionally, include a gyroscope to sense tilt or orientation of the ultrasound imaging device or its angular velocity, and/or a magnetometer to sense an ambient magnetic field of the earth to allow determination of location relative to an earth’s pole. More detail regarding the sensor circuitry 335 and associated processing circuitry will be provided in the context of Fig 6 below. [0077]
  • the sensor circuitry is to allow inertial change, such as taps on the housing body to be sensed, and for signals relating to the sensed inertial change to be further processed, for example to determine a correlation between the signals relating to sensed inertial change.
  • the correlation may be performed by the sensor signal processing circuitry 337, which, in the shown embodiment, is depicted as a circuitry that is distinct from the sensor circuitry. However, embodiments are not so limited.
  • the sensor signal processing circuitry may be within the sensor circuitry 335, within the processing circuitry 326, or within a computing system 222 that is separate from the imagine device, such as computing device 216 of the embodiment of Fig. 2.
  • Some embodiments advantageously allow inertial change as sensed on the housing of an imaging device to control ultrasound exam functions at a computing system, in this manner obviating the need for a user to re-adjust his/her guiding hand position on the ultrasound imaging device, in this manner doing away with the need for physical adjustments of a user’s grip on the ultrasound imaging device.
  • Some embodiments advantageously allow a user the flexibility to hold the probe in whatever manner is comfortable to the user.
  • Figs. 4A and 4B show perspective views of a state of the art handheld ultrasonic probe 400 being held in two different manners: in Fig. 4A in a standard longitudinal grip, and in Fig.
  • Probe 400 in a standard transverse grip.
  • Figs. 4A and 4B merely show two different types of grips for holding the shown ultrasonic probe, although many manners of holding an ultrasonic probe are possible, including an adjusted transverse grip where the probe is held and guided at top side regions thereof, and an adjusted longitudinal grip where the probe is held and guided at top front and back regions thereof.
  • Probe 400 may be coupled to the computing system and/or to a power source by way of a wire 454 partially shown in Figs. 4A and 4B.
  • Probe 400 includes a casing or housing body 440 which corresponds to the physical body of the device to be held by a user during use, such as during an ultrasonic scan or ultrasonic examination (exam).
  • the button is typically used by a user in order to cause execution by a computing system of ultrasound exam functions, such as functions which may include, for example, freezing/unfreezing an ultrasonic image (hereinafter “image”), saving an image, taking a snapshot of an image.
  • image freezing/unfreezing an ultrasonic image
  • a user would typically hold and guide the ultrasound imaging device in one hand (the guiding hand) and use another hand to interact with a computing system or computing device, or to guide a needle or catheter.
  • the computing system may be similar to computing system 222 and may include a mobile device.
  • the user would therefore typically then hold the ultrasound imaging device 400 with hand 452, and utilize a finger, such as the thumb 456 to depress a physical button 450 in order to cause the computing device coupled to the probe 400 to perform ultrasound exam functions.
  • a finger such as the thumb 456 to depress a physical button 450 in order to cause the computing device coupled to the probe 400 to perform ultrasound exam functions.
  • there is no button on the probe and, in such instances, the user would have to use his/her guiding hand to hold and guide the probe and use his/her other hand to interact with a user interface of a computing system or computing device in order to cause execution of ultrasound exam functions.
  • the time delta between taps, or a maximum time duration/window for a tap sequence based on the number of taps to be within that sequence may be preconfigured, or configured by the user, by way of logic within the sensors or associated processing circuitry such that the processing circuitry can discern the numbers of taps and the combinations of tap numbers.
  • An inertial change may further correspond to movement of the ultrasound imaging device in the air, for example, to air drawing using the ultrasound imaging device.
  • the sensor circuitry may be adapted to sense motion patterns of the ultrasound imaging device in the air. Air drawing may be useful for parts of the exam where the ultrasound imaging device may not need to be on the patient’s skin, such as, for example, at the end of an exam.
  • the output of the design tool can be used to manufacture the physical device.
  • a design tool can determine configurations of various hardware and/or firmware elements from the HDL object, such as bus widths, registers (including sizes and types), memory blocks, physical link paths, fabric topologies, among other attributes that would be implemented in order to realize the system modeled in the HDL object.
  • Design tools can include tools for determining the topology and fabric configurations of system on chip (SoC) and other hardware device.
  • SoC system on chip
  • the HDL object can be used as the basis for developing models and design files that can be used by manufacturing equipment to manufacture the described hardware. Indeed, an HDL object itself can be provided as an input to manufacturing system software to cause the described hardware.
  • Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions or instruction sets and/or data that are hard-coded (e.g., nonvolatile) in storage devices.
  • Use of the phrase ‘to’ or ‘configured to,’ in one embodiment, refers to arranging, putting together, manufacturing, offering to sell, importing, and/or designing an apparatus, hardware, logic, or element to perform a designated or determined task.
  • an apparatus or element thereof that is not operating is still ‘configured to’ perform a designated task if it is designed, coupled, and/or interconnected to perform said designated task.
  • a logic gate may provide a 0 or a 1 during operation.
  • Example 11 includes the subject matter of Example 10, wherein the ultrasound exam functions include at least one of freezing and unfreezing the ultrasound image, saving the ultrasound image, taking a snapshot of the ultrasound image, starting and stopping a recording of ultrasound video, adjusting a depth of the ultrasound image or adjusting a gain of the ultrasound image.
  • Example 12 includes the subject matter of Example 10, the sensor circuitry to further determine a pattern of the plurality of patterns of sensor input, wherein the information based on the haptic input corresponds to information based on the pattern.
  • Example 13 includes the subject matter of Example 10, wherein the haptic input includes any one of a plurality of permutations of one or more tap sequences, a tap sequence including a single tap or any number of taps within a predetermined tap sequence time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for a tap sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 14 includes the subject matter of Example 10, wherein the eye tracking input includes an eye blink sequence including a single eye blink or any number of eye blinks within a predetermined eye blink time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for an eye blink sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 23 includes the subject matter of Example 22, further including sending information based on the haptic input to a sensor signal processing circuitry, the sensor signal processing circuitry to determine a correlation between the sensed haptic input and one or more ultrasound exam functions to be executed at the computing system.
  • Example 24 includes the subject matter of Example 22, wherein sensing a haptic input includes using an accelerometer.
  • Example 25 includes the subject matter of Example 24, wherein sensing a haptic input includes using a gyroscope.
  • Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 26, further including receiving signals based on the inertial status and communicating feedback to a user of the ultrasound imaging device derived from the signals based on the inertial status, the feedback corresponding to an adjustment of an ultrasound examination by the user.
  • Example 29 includes the subject matter of Example 22, wherein the haptic input includes one or more taps on a surface of the housing.
  • Example 30 includes the subject matter of Example 22, wherein the haptic input includes aerial motion of the ultrasound imaging device.
  • Example 31 includes the subject matter of Example 22, further including sensing sensor input corresponding to a plurality of patterns of sensor input, each pattern of sensor input including, in a predetermined order, one or more of: the haptic input, an eye tracking input or a voice command input, each pattern of sensor input associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of ultrasound exam functions.
  • Example 32 includes the subject matter of Example 31, wherein the ultrasound exam functions include at least one of freezing and unfreezing the ultrasound image, saving the ultrasound image, taking a snapshot of the ultrasound image, starting and stopping a recording of ultrasound video, adjusting a depth of the ultrasound image or adjusting a gain of the ultrasound image.
  • Example 33 includes the subject matter of Example 31, further including determining a pattern of the plurality of patterns of sensor input, wherein the information based on the haptic input corresponds to information based on the pattern.
  • Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 31, wherein the haptic input includes any one of a plurality of permutations of one or more tap sequences, a tap sequence including a single tap or any number of taps within a predetermined tap sequence time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for a tap sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 35 includes the subject matter of Example 31, wherein the eye tracking input includes an eye blink sequence including a single eye blink or any number of eye blinks within a predetermined eye blink time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for an eye blink sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 36 includes the subject matter of Example 31, further including determining a pattern of the plurality of patterns of sensor input, wherein the information based on the haptic input corresponds to information based on the pattern.
  • Example 37 includes the subject matter of Example 36, further including: performing a correlation of the pattern with its corresponding one of the plurality of ultrasound exam functions; deriving from the correlation the information based on the pattern; and [0181] sending the information based on the pattern to the computing system.
  • Example 41 includes the subject matter of Example 40, the sensor signal processing circuitry to determine a correlation between the sensed haptic input and the ultrasound exam function, and to execute the ultrasound exam function based on the correlation.
  • Example 42 includes the subject matter of Example 40, wherein the information includes raw accelerometer data.
  • Example 43 includes the subject matter of Example 42, wherein the information further includes raw gyroscope data.
  • Example 44 includes the subject matter of Example 43, wherein the information further includes raw magnetometer data.
  • Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 44, the sensor signal processing circuitry to fuse the accelerometer data, the gyroscope data and the magnetometer data to generate signals therefrom corresponding to an inertial status of the ultrasound imaging device, and to send to the ultrasound imaging device information based on the inertial status.
  • Example 46 includes the subject matter of Example 45, wherein the inertial status of the ultrasound imaging device includes information based on at least one of whether the ultrasound imaging device is stationary, an angular tilt of the ultrasound imaging device with respect to a skin surface of a body being examined, an angular velocity of the ultrasound imaging device with respect to the skin, a position of the ultrasound imaging device on the skin, or a linear velocity of the ultrasound imaging device.
  • Example 47 includes the subject matter of Example 46, the sensor signal processing circuitry to cause communication of feedback to a user of the ultrasound imaging device, the feedback derived from the inertial status, the feedback corresponding to an adjustment of an ultrasound examination by the user.
  • Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 40, wherein the haptic input includes one or more taps on a surface of the housing.
  • Example 49 includes the subject matter of Example 40, wherein the haptic input includes aerial motion of the ultrasound imaging device.
  • Example 50 includes the subject matter of Example 40, the sensor signal processing circuitry to determine a plurality of patterns of sensor input, each pattern of sensor input including, in a predetermined order, one or more of: the haptic input, an eye tracking input or a voice command input, each pattern of sensor input associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of ultrasound exam functions.
  • Example 51 includes the subject matter of Example 50, wherein the ultrasound exam functions include at least one of freezing and unfreezing the ultrasound image, saving the ultrasound image, taking a snapshot of the ultrasound image, starting and stopping a recording of ultrasound video, adjusting a depth of the ultrasound image or adjusting a gain of the ultrasound image.
  • Example 52 includes the subject matter of Example 50, wherein the haptic input includes any one of a plurality of permutations of one or more tap sequences, a tap sequence including a single tap or any number of taps within a predetermined tap sequence time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for a tap sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 53 includes the subject matter of Example 50, wherein the eye tracking input includes an eye blink sequence including a single eye blink or any number of eye blinks within a predetermined eye blink time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for an eye blink sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 54 includes the subject matter of Example 50, the sensor signal processing circuitry to determine a pattern of the plurality of patterns of sensor input, wherein the information based on the haptic input corresponds to information based on the pattern.
  • Example 55 includes the subject matter of Example 54, the sensor signal processing circuitry to further: perform a correlation of the pattern with its corresponding one of the plurality of ultrasound exam functions; derive from the correlation the information based on the pattern; and send the information based on the pattern to the computing system.
  • Example 56 includes the subject matter of Example 55, the memory to store information on a correlation between each pattern of sensor input of the plurality of patterns of sensor input, and corresponding ones of the plurality of ultrasound exam functions.
  • Example 57 includes the subject matter of Example 56, wherein information on the correlation is configurable by a user of the apparatus.
  • Example 58 includes the subject matter of Example 40, further including a wireless transceiver.
  • Example 59 includes a method including: receiving information based on haptic input to a surface of a housing of an ultrasound imaging device; and based on the information, executing an ultrasound exam function corresponding to the haptic input, the ultrasound exam function to control an ultrasound image on a display of a computing system.
  • Example 60 includes the subject matter of Example 59, further including determining a correlation between the sensed haptic input and the ultrasound exam function, and to execute the ultrasound exam function based on the correlation.
  • Example 67 includes the subject matter of Example 59, wherein the haptic input includes one or more taps on a surface of the housing.
  • Example 68 includes the subject matter of Example 59, wherein the haptic input includes aerial motion of the ultrasound imaging device.
  • Example 69 includes the subject matter of Example 59, further including determining a plurality of patterns of sensor input, each pattern of sensor input including, in a predetermined order, one or more of: the haptic input, an eye tracking input or a voice command input, each pattern of sensor input associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of ultrasound exam functions.
  • Example 70 includes the subject matter of Example 69, wherein the ultrasound exam functions include at least one of freezing and unfreezing the ultrasound image, saving the ultrasound image, taking a snapshot of the ultrasound image, starting and stopping a recording of ultrasound video, adjusting a depth of the ultrasound image or adjusting a gain of the ultrasound image.
  • Example 71 includes the subject matter of Example 69, wherein the haptic input includes any one of a plurality of permutations of one or more tap sequences, a tap sequence including a single tap or any number of taps within a predetermined tap sequence time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for a tap sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 72 includes the subject matter of Example 69, wherein the eye tracking input includes an eye blink sequence including a single eye blink or any number of eye blinks within a predetermined eye blink time window representing a maximum time duration configured to the sensor circuitry for an eye blink sequence to be sensed.
  • Example 73 includes the subject matter of Example 69, further including determining a pattern of the plurality of patterns of sensor input, wherein the information based on the haptic input corresponds to information based on the pattern.
  • Example 74 includes the subject matter of Example 73, further including: performing a correlation of the pattern with its corresponding one of the plurality of ultrasound exam functions; deriving from the correlation the information based on the pattern; and [0220] sending the information based on the pattern to the computing system.
  • Example 75 includes the subject matter of Example 74, further including storing information on a correlation between each pattern of sensor input of the plurality of patterns of sensor input, and corresponding ones of the plurality of ultrasound exam functions.
  • Example 76 includes the subject matter of Example 59, further including sending signals for wireless transmission by a wireless transceiver.
  • Example 77 includes an apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any one of Examples 22-39 and 59-76.
  • Example 78 includes one or more computer-readable media comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform the method of any one of Examples 22-39 and 59-76.
  • Example 79 includes an imaging device comprising the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-21 and 40-58, and further including the user interface device.
  • Example 80 includes a product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one computer processor, enable the at least one processor to perform the method of any one of Examples 22-39 and 59-76.

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Abstract

Appareil, procédé et support mis en œuvre par ordinateur. L'appareil est destiné à recevoir des informations sur la base d'une entrée haptique sur une surface d'un boîtier d'un dispositif d'échographie ; et sur la base des informations, à exécuter une fonction d'examen échographique correspondant à l'entrée haptique, la fonction d'examen échographique servant à commander une image échographique sur une unité d'affichage d'un système informatique.
EP22957586.5A 2022-09-01 2022-09-01 Appareil, système et procédé servant à commander une image échographique sur une unité d'affichage sur la base d'une entrée de capteur au niveau d'un dispositif d'échographie Pending EP4580504A1 (fr)

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PCT/US2022/042355 WO2024049435A1 (fr) 2022-09-01 2022-09-01 Appareil, système et procédé servant à commander une image échographique sur une unité d'affichage sur la base d'une entrée de capteur au niveau d'un dispositif d'échographie

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CA2896021A1 (fr) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Volcano Corporation Interface adaptative pour un systeme d'imagerie medicale
KR102107728B1 (ko) * 2013-04-03 2020-05-07 삼성메디슨 주식회사 휴대용 초음파 장치, 휴대용 초음파 시스템 및 초음파 진단 방법
KR102397670B1 (ko) * 2014-03-28 2022-05-16 인튜어티브 서지컬 오퍼레이션즈 인코포레이티드 정량적 3차원 영상화에 기초한 햅틱 피드백을 갖는 수술 시스템
KR102288308B1 (ko) * 2014-08-05 2021-08-10 삼성메디슨 주식회사 초음파 진단 장치
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