WIRELESS ULTRASONIC SCANNING SYSTEM

• US 20110160582A1
• Filed: 04/28/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Original Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Inventors: Zheng, Yongping, Chen, Xin, Huang, Zhengming, Huang, Yanping, He, Junfeng, Cheung, James Chungwai
• Application Number:
  US12/990,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20110160582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/42 Details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4461 Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/54 Control of the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/2481 Wireless probes, e.g. with transponders or radio links

Abstract

A wireless ultrasonic scanning system comprises an ultrasonic sensor, a motor, an ultrasonic transceiver, a high-speed data sampling module, a motor controller and a master control module. The ultrasonic sensor, which moves in accordance with control of the motor controller, is mounted on the motor. The ultrasonic transceiver activates the ultrasonic sensor and amplifies a received ultrasonic signal. The high-speed data sampling module wirelessly transmits radio-frequency ultrasonic data to the master control module. The master control module sets a scanning mode, initiates a scanning process, and wirelessly transmits control signals and control parameters to the high-speed data sampling module.

Claims

1. A wireless ultrasonic scanning system, characterized by comprising an ultrasonic sensor, a motor, an ultrasonic transceiver, a high-speed data sampling module, a motor controller and a master control module, wherein the ultrasonic sensor mounted on the motor can move in accordance with control of the motor controller, the ultrasonic transceiver activates the sensor and amplifies received ultrasonic signals, the high-speed data sampling module wirelessly transmits radio-frequency ultrasonic data to the master control module, and the master control module sets a scanning mode, initiates a scanning process, and wirelessly transmits a control signal and a control parameter to the high-speed data sampling module.

2. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic sensor comprises at least one ultrasonic sensing unit or array.

3. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized by further comprising a pressure sensor attached to the ultrasonic sensor for measuring a pressure applied to a tissue.

4. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 3, characterized in that the pressure sensor digitalizes the pressure signal and wirelessly transmits it to the master control module.

5. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic transceiver comprises a T/R switch, a Low Noise Amplifier, a Time Gain Control, a high-voltage driver, a high-voltage control and a pulse generator.

6. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized in that the motor controller comprises a Micro Control Unit and a motor driver.

7. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized in that the high-speed data sampling module comprises an Analog to Digital Converter, a FIFO, a Digital Signal Processor, and a standard wireless communication interface.

8. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 7, characterized in that the standard wireless communication interface is Bluetooth, wireless USB, WiFi or Zigbee.

9. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized in that the radio-frequency ultrasonic data includes the ultrasonic signal, energy-saving control signal, ultrasonic transmission control signal and motor control signal.

10. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized in that the master control module is a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a PDA, a UMPC, a mobile phone or a game machine.

11. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 1, characterized in that the radio-frequency ultrasonic data and pressure data are arranged frame by frame during the wireless transmission.

12. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 11, characterized in that each frame of data contains 1 byte or 2 bytes to indicate frame number during the wireless transmission.

13. The wireless ultrasonic scanning system of claim 11, characterized in that during the wireless transmission, each frame of data includes at least one byte for indicating the number of parameters related to ultrasonic signal, each parameter related to ultrasonic signals occupying 2 or 4 bytes.