Ultrasonic imaging device and imaging method thereof

The present invention provides an ultrasonic imaging device, comprising: an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly comprising an ultrasonic transducer for imaging tissue to be imaged; an adjustable arm, wherein one end of the adjustable arm is connected to the imaging assembly; a counterweight, the counterweight being connected to the other end of the adjustable arm through a cable; a frame, the frame being capable of guiding movement when the counterweight and/or adjustable arm moves; and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly comprising a driving device and a transmission belt, wherein the driving device is connected to the transmission belt, and the transmission belt is connected to the counterweight; the driving device is capable of acting on the counterweight through the transmission belt, so as to adjust pressure applied by the imaging assembly onto the tissue to be imaged. The present invention further provides some imaging methods using the ultrasonic imaging device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201911241071.X filed on Dec. 6, 2019, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed in the present invention relates to the field of medical imaging, and particularly, to an ultrasonic imaging device and an imaging method using the device.

BACKGROUND

Common medical imaging devices include ultrasonic imaging devices, magnetic resonance imaging devices, X-ray imaging devices, and the like. Among these devices, ultrasonic imaging devices have the advantages of real-time imaging, minimal risks, low costs, and the like. A breast ultrasonic scanning device is one of the ultrasonic imaging devices, and generates breast images through echo signals of high-frequency sound waves emitted by a detector in an imaging assembly. Breast ultrasonic scanning can be used as a supplementary means of breast cancer screening.

In an example, the breast ultrasonic scanning device may be used to image breast tissue in one or a plurality of planes. In some breast ultrasonic scanning devices, a person to be scanned may receive the scan in supine position or other positions. Before initiating a scan, a user of a scanning device places an imaging assembly onto tissue of a person to be scanned and applies to the imaging assembly a force downward relative to the breast, so as to press the tissue and correctly image the tissue. At this time, positioning the scanning device and adjusting the pressure applied by the imaging assembly are crucial.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present invention provide an ultrasonic imaging device, comprising: an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly comprising an ultrasonic transducer for imaging tissue to be imaged; an adjustable arm, wherein one end of the adjustable arm is connected to the imaging assembly; a counterweight, the counterweight being connected to the other end of the adjustable arm through a cable; a frame, the frame being capable of guiding movement when the counterweight and/or adjustable arm moves; and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly comprising a driving device and a transmission belt, wherein the driving device is connected to the transmission belt, and the transmission belt is connected to the counterweight; the driving device is capable of acting on the counterweight through the transmission belt, so as to adjust pressure applied by the imaging assembly onto the tissue to be imaged.

Optionally, the device further comprises a first pulley block, wherein the first pulley block comprises a number of pulleys disposed on the frame and the other end of the adjustable arm; the cable is wound through the pulley block and has two ends disposed on the counterweight.

Optionally, the frame comprises a number of pillar structures, and the counterweight is provided with through-holes for the pillar structures to pass through; the pillar structures are usable for guiding movement during movement of the counterweight.

Optionally, the frame comprises a hollow structure, and at least part of the adjustable arm is disposed in the hollow structure; the hollow structure is usable for guiding movement during movement of the adjustable arm.

Optionally, the driving device comprises a motor assembly and a clutch, the motor assembly is connected to the clutch, and the clutch is connected to the transmission belt.

Optionally, the motor assembly comprises a motor and a reducer; an output shaft of the motor comprises a worm structure; the reducer comprises a worm gear mated with the worm structure; the worm is mated with the worm gear to enable automatic locking of a position of the counterweight in an OFF state of the motor.

Optionally, the clutch is connected to the transmission belt through a driving wheel.

Optionally, one side of the transmission belt is connected to the counterweight to drive the counterweight to move.

Optionally, the device further comprises a driven wheel, wherein the driven wheel is disposed on the frame and connected to the transmission belt.

Optionally, the driving wheel comprises a gear structure, and a portion of the transmission belt in contact with the driving wheel has a tooth-like structure that is engaged with the gear structure.

Optionally, the device further comprises a tensioning device, wherein the tensioning device comprises a movable tensioning wheel; the movable tensioning wheel is disposed on the frame and movably attached to the transmission belt through a torsion spring.

Optionally, the tensioning device further comprises a fixed tensioning wheel, and the fixed tensioning wheel is disposed opposite to the movable tensioning wheel and attached to the transmission belt.

Optionally, the device further comprises a driven wheel adjusting device, wherein the driven wheel is disposed on the frame by means of the driven wheel adjusting device; the driven wheel adjusting device comprises a fixing seat and an adjusting rod; the driven wheel is disposed on the fixing seat; the adjusting rod is threadedly connected to the fixing seat and the frame, so that a position of the driven wheel is capable of being adjusted by rotating the adjusting rod.

Optionally, the driven wheel adjusting device further comprises a guide rod, one end of the guide rod is disposed on the frame, and the other end passes through the fixing seat.

Optionally, the clutch comprises an electromagnetic clutch body, a base, an adapter, a support bearing, a bearing seat, and a driving wheel; the electromagnetic clutch body is disposed on the base and connected to the adapter; the adapter is rotatably connected to the support bearing and is connected to the driving wheel through a rotating shaft; the support bearing is disposed on the bearing seat; the driving wheel is connected to the transmission belt.

Optionally, the device further comprises a second pulley block disposed on the frame and a third pulley block disposed on the counterweight; the second pulley block is used for sliding connection between the frame and the adjustable arm; the third pulley block is used for sliding connection between the frame and the counterweight.

Some other embodiments of the present invention provide an imaging method, comprising: adjusting a position of an imaging assembly so that the imaging assembly is close to a surface of tissue to be imaged; controlling the driving device to act on the counterweight, and adjusting pressure applied by the imaging assembly onto the tissue to be imaged; and using the imaging assembly to perform imaging.

Optionally, when the position of the imaging assembly is adjusted, the clutch in the driving device is in a disengaged state; at this time, the position of the imaging assembly is adjusted manually.

Optionally, when the driving device acts on the counterweight, the clutch in the driving device is in an engaged state; at this time, the driving device is capable of acting on the counterweight to change a force applied by the counterweight to the adjustable arm, thereby changing a force applied to the imaging assembly.

It should be understood that the brief description above is provided to introduce in simplified form some concepts that will be further described in the Detailed Description of the Embodiments. The brief description above is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. The scope is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any section of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Specific implementation manners of the present invention will be described in the following. It should be noted that during the specific description of the implementation manners, it is impossible to describe all features of the actual implementation manners in detail in the present invention for the sake of brief description. It should be understood that in the actual implementation of any of the implementation manners, as in the process of any engineering project or design project, a variety of specific decisions are often made in order to achieve the developer's specific objectives and meet system-related or business-related restrictions, which will vary from one implementation manner to another. Moreover, it can also be understood that although the efforts made in such development process may be complex and lengthy, for those of ordinary skill in the art related to content disclosed in the present invention, some changes in design, manufacturing, production or the like based on the technical content disclosed in the present disclosure are only conventional technical means, and should not be construed as that the content of the present disclosure is insufficient.

Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the claims and the description are as they are usually understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. “First,” “second” and similar words used in the present invention and the claims do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are merely intended to distinguish between different constituents. “One,” “a(n)” and similar words are not meant to be limiting, but rather denote the presence of at least one. The word “include,” “comprise” or a similar word is intended to mean that an element or article that appears before “include” or “comprise” encompasses an element or article and equivalent elements that are listed after “include” or “comprise,” and does not exclude other elements or articles. The word “connect,” “connected” or a similar word is not limited to a physical or mechanical connection, and is not limited to a direct or indirect connection.

Although some embodiments of the present invention are presented in the particular context of human breast ultrasound, it should be understood that the present invention is applicable to ultrasonic scanning of any externally accessible human or animal body part (for example, abdomen, legs, feet, arms, or neck), and is also applicable to other medical imaging devices (for example, X-ray scanning) with a similar mechanical structure. Moreover, although some embodiments of the present invention are presented in the particular context of mechanized scanning, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to a handheld scanning context.

Referring toFIG.1, a perspective view of a breast ultrasonic scanning device102(hereinafter also referred to as a scanning device102) according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The scanning device102includes a frame104, an ultrasonic processor housing105including an ultrasonic processor, an adjustable arm106including a hinge joint114, an imaging assembly108connected to one end120of the adjustable arm106through a ball joint112, and a display110connected to the frame104. The imaging assembly108includes an ultrasonic transducer. The display110may be connected to the frame104at an interface where the adjustable arm106enters the frame104. Since the display110is directly connected to the frame104rather than the adjustable arm106, the display110does not affect the weight of the adjustable arm106and the balancing mechanism of the adjustable arm106. In some embodiments, the display110may be rotated in a horizontal and transverse direction (for example, rotatable about a central axis of the frame104), but not vertically. In some other embodiments, the display110may also be vertically movable.

It should be noted thatFIG.1merely illustrates, as a reference, some configuration manners and relative positions of various components, but these configuration manners and relative positions are not unique. For example, the position of the display110is arbitrary. The display110may, for instance, be disposed on the ultrasonic processor housing105, or may be arbitrarily disposed independently of the frame104or the housing105. The shape of the adjustable arm106is not necessarily curved like inFIG.1, the adjustable arm106may also have a polyline shaped structure or even straight line shaped structure, and the adjustable arm106may also not include the hinge joint114but be integrally formed or have any other type of configuration without affecting the implementation of various embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the arrangement of the ball joint112is not the only possible arrangement. Other types of connection may also be selected to connect the adjustable arm106and the imaging assembly108. In some embodiments, the imaging assembly108includes a film118that is in a substantially tensioned state to be at least partially attached, for pressing the breast. The film118has a bottom surface in contact with the breast, and meanwhile the transducer sweeps over a top surface of the film118to scan the breast. The film118may be a tensioned fabric sheet.

In some embodiments, the adjustable arm106is configured such that the imaging assembly108has a net downward weight of substantially zero or has a small net downward weight (for example, 1 to 2 Kg). With such net downward weight, the position of the imaging assembly108can be arbitrary adjusted by a user and the imaging assembly108can remain stationary after adjustment. In some other embodiments, after the imaging assembly108is brought into contact with tissue to be scanned by the adjustment, the internal components of the scanning device102may be adjusted to apply a desired downward weight to press the breast and improve imaging quality. In some embodiments, the net downward weight may be in the range of 2 to 11 Kg. The weight adjustment of the imaging assembly108will be described in detail below.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, schematic views illustrating connection relationships between the adjustable arm106and a counterweight200as well as a transmission assembly300in some embodiments of the present invention are shown. Referring first toFIG.2, a schematic view illustrating a connection relationship between the transmission assembly300and the counterweight200in some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The frame104includes a hollow structure, where at least part of the adjustable arm106is disposed in the hollow structure, and the frame104can guide movement when the adjustable arm moves along the hollow structure. It should be noted that the hollow structure may come in any form, such as a circle matching the shape of the adjustable arm106, or any other shape. In addition, the frame104may further include a number of pillar structures114, and accordingly, through-holes201are provided in the counterweight200. The pillar structure114matches the through-hole201in the counterweight200and can pass through the through-hole201. The matching between the pillar structure114and the through-hole201can be used for guiding movement during movement of the counterweight200, and can avoid cable winding or knotting caused by swinging of the counterweight200during movement. In addition to the arrangement of the pillar structure114and the through-hole201matching each other, any other manners of fixing the counterweight200are also allowed, and will not be exhausted herein. Furthermore, although the frame104shown inFIG.2does not include a housing, those skilled in the art should know that the housing structure shown inFIG.1may be disposed outside the frame104in the actual arrangement.FIG.2further shows a schematic view illustrating a connection relationship between the transmission assembly300and the counterweight200. The transmission assembly300includes a driving device301and a transmission belt330. The driving device301is connected to the transmission belt330, and the transmission belt330is connected to the counterweight200, so as to achieve transmission between the transmission assembly300and the counterweight.

In some embodiments, the counterweight200may be provided with a fixing device210, where the fixing device210may be connected to one side of the transmission belt330, so as to achieve connection between one side of the transmission belt330and the counterweight200. Such arrangement enables the transmission belt330to drive the counterweight200to move. In addition, the counterweight200may further be provided with a notch220matching the transmission belt330. The notch220can accommodate the transmission belt330, so that the transmission belt330does not contact the counterweight200and produce wear when the transmission belt330transmits the counterweight200. Meanwhile, such arrangement enables the transmission belt330and the counterweight200to be more compactly arranged. It should be noted that although the transmission belt330is a belt structure in some embodiments, some other configuration manners of the transmission belt are also allowed, for example, a chain structure or a rack structure. AlthoughFIG.2shows that a driving wheel321is at the bottom of the frame, and a driven wheel332is at the top of the frame, the positional relationship between them can also be adjusted.

Referring now toFIG.3,FIG.3is a schematic structural view of the driving device301in the transmission assembly300in some embodiments of the present invention. The driving device301includes a motor assembly310and a clutch320, and the motor assembly310is connected to the transmission belt330through the clutch320. In some embodiments, the clutch320is provided with a driving wheel321, where the driving wheel321may be connected to one end of the transmission belt330as inFIG.2. The other end of the transmission belt330may be connected to the driven wheel332. The driven wheel332may be disposed on the frame104, and the distance between the driven wheel332and the driving wheel321may be set to be approximately equal to the length of the transmission belt330after being tensioned, so as to achieve close fit between the transmission belt330and the driving wheel321, thereby enabling transmission under the driving of the driving wheel321.

Referring toFIG.4in the following,FIG.4is a schematic view illustrating a connection relationship between the counterweight200and the adjustable arm106in some embodiments of the present invention. The frame104is provided with a first pulley401and a second pulley402. A third pulley403is disposed at the bottom of the adjustable arm106. The first, second, and third pulleys together form a first pulley block to guide movement of a cable400. The cable400is wound through the pulley block formed by the first pulley401, the third pulley403, and the second pulley402. Two ends of the cable400may be disposed on the counterweight200respectively. In some embodiments, the plane formed by connecting lines of the pulley block constituted by the three pulleys can approximately coincide with a central axis of the adjustable arm. Such arrangement ensures more smooth movement of the counterweight200and the adjustable arm106under the guidance of the frame104. In some embodiments, the weight of the counterweight200is approximately equal to the sum of the weights of the adjustable arm106and the imaging assembly108. Such arrangement ensures that when the clutch320is in a disengaged state, the imaging assembly108has a net downward force approximately equal to zero and can substantially keep force balance. At this time, an operator only needs to apply a small force to the adjustable arm106or the imaging assembly108to change the position of the imaging assembly108, and when the force is removed, the imaging assembly108can reach a stationary state rapidly. It should be noted that the number of the pulley blocks described above is not fixed, and those skilled in the art can appropriately increase or decrease the number according to needs under the teachings of the present invention. Or, the pulley block can be replaced with other structures capable of guiding movement of the cable404, for example, a sliding block.

During use of the device of the present invention, the motor assembly310may not perform power output on the transmission belt330when the clutch320is in the disengaged state. At this time, the transmission belt330has small resistance only to the counterweight200, and the operator can manually control the adjustable arm106or the imaging assembly108to conveniently adjust the position of the imaging assembly108. For example, the imaging assembly108may be brought close to tissue to be imaged by having a downward force applied to the adjustable arm106or the imaging assembly108. When the motor assembly310and the clutch320are in an ON state, the transmission assembly300can transmit the counterweight200by means of the transmission belt330. In some embodiments, the counterweight200may be subjected to a force applied by the transmission belt330that is upward relative to the bottom of the frame104. At this time, the force applied by the counterweight200to the bottom of the adjustable arm104through the cable400will be decreased, and the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the surface of the tissue to be imaged will be increased. In some embodiments, the counterweight200may also be subjected to a force applied by the transmission belt330that is downward relative to the bottom of the frame104. At this time, the force applied by the counterweight200to the bottom of the adjustable arm104through the cable400will be increased, and accordingly, the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the surface of the tissue to be imaged will be decreased. To sum up, when the clutch320is in the engaged state, the motor assembly310can drive the counterweight200to move through the transmission belt330, so as to adjust the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged. Since the counterweight200of the present invention may be an integral structure, no other complex pressure adjusting device is needed, and the pressure on the imaged tissue can be adjusted just by means of the transmission of the entire counterweight by the motor assembly310, the clutch320, and the transmission belt330, which reduces to a great extent the complexity of device setup and the complexity of operation. In addition, the integrally-formed counterweight200also has a high degree of durability.

The imaging assembly107may need to maintain stable pressure on the tissue to be imaged in the imaging process. At this time, the position of the imaging assembly107needs to be locked. The implementation of the locking function usually requires a complex design. A simplified technical solution for locking the imaging assembly107is provided in some embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG.5, a schematic view illustrating an internal structure of the driving device301in some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The driving device301includes a motor assembly310, where the motor assembly310may include a motor311and a reducer313connected to the motor311. An output shaft of the motor311includes a worm structure312. The reducer313includes a worm gear314mated with the worm structure312, where the worm gear314is connected to a reducer output shaft316through a reducer gear set315, so as to achieve power output of the motor assembly. Since the transmission between the worm gear and the worm has a reverse self-locking function, after the motor311stops rotating, the worm312can lock the worm gear314, so as to achieve locking of the reducer output shaft316. When the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged is adjusted to an expected value, the output shaft of the motor311may stop rotating (for example, the power is cut off). At this time, the position of the counterweight200can be automatically locked, thereby achieving locking of the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged. Such arrangement avoids the arrangement of an additional locking device and reduces the complexity of device setup to a great extent while maintaining the function of locking the imaging assembly108.

As described above, the adjustment of the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged has a very important impact on the imaging quality. In some embodiments of the present invention, the adjustment of the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged relies on the transmission of the transmission assembly300. Therefore, it is very important to ensure precise transmission of the transmission assembly300. As shown inFIG.6, a partial view of a portion of the driving wheel321in contact with the transmission belt330in some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The driving wheel321may include a gear structure. The gear structure may cover the entire periphery of the driving wheel321as inFIG.6, or may be of other configuration types, for example, partially covering the driving wheel321. Accordingly, a portion of the transmission assembly300in contact with the driving wheel321has a tooth-like structure engaged with the aforementioned gear. Such arrangement ensures that unexpected slip does not occur when the driving wheel321performs power output on the transmission belt330. Moreover, in performing the locking function described above, the engaged tooth-like structure can also avoid slipping of the transmission belt330, thereby ensuring reliability of the imaging device.

As shown inFIG.7, a schematic structural view of a tensioning device500in some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The tensioning device500may include a movable tensioning wheel501, where the movable tensioning wheel501may be disposed on the frame104in an appropriate manner, for example, mounted on the frame104by means of a mounting shaft. The movable tensioning wheel501may also be movably attached to the transmission belt330through a torsion spring502. Such manner ensures that the movable tensioning wheel501is closely attached to the transmission belt330, thereby ensuring tight connection between the transmission belt330and the driving wheel321. A portion of the movable tensioning wheel501attached to the transmission belt330may be configured as a rotating structure, for example, a roller structure, so that the friction between the transmission belt330and the movable tensioning wheel501can be reduced during movement of the transmission belt330, thereby avoiding unexpected wear. In addition, the tensioning device500may further include a fixed tensioning wheel503, where the fixed tensioning wheel503may be configured to be closely attached to the transmission belt330. In some embodiments, the fixed tensioning wheel503may be disposed on the other side opposite to the movable tensioning wheel501as inFIG.7, disposed opposite to the movable tensioning wheel501and attached to the transmission belt330, so as to be better used in combination with the movable tensioning wheel501. A portion of the fixed tensioning wheel503attached to the transmission belt330may be configured as a rotating structure, for example, a roller structure, so that the friction between the transmission belt330and the fixed tensioning wheel503can be reduced during movement of the transmission belt330. The arrangement of the movable tensioning wheel501and the fixed tensioning wheel503ensures that unexpected slip does not occur when the driving wheel321performs power output on the transmission belt330, thereby improving the control precision of the device in the present invention. It should be noted that the arrangement of the movable tensioning wheel501and the fixed tensioning wheel503is not necessary, and such arrangement may not be performed. In addition, the movable tensioning wheel501and the fixed tensioning wheel503do not need to appear at the same time.

As shown inFIG.8, a schematic structural view of a driven wheel adjusting device600in some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The driven wheel adjusting device600can be used for adjusting the distance between the driven wheel332and the driving wheel321. In some embodiments, the driven wheel332may be disposed on the frame104by means of the driven wheel adjusting device600. The driven wheel adjusting device600may include a fixing seat601, where the driven wheel332may be disposed on the fixing seat601by means of a rotating shaft or any other means. The driven wheel adjusting device600may further include an adjusting rod602. In some embodiments, the adjusting rod602may be connected to the fixing seat601and the frame104by means of threads. For example, the adjusting rod602may be a screw including an external thread structure, while the fixing seat601and the frame104are both provided with an internal thread structure mated with the screw. The adjusting rod602can be adjusted to adjust relative positions of the fixing seat601and the frame104, thereby driving the driven wheel332to move to achieve adjustment of the position of the driven wheel332. The aforementioned adjustment can change the distance between the driven wheel332and the driving wheel321, and further adjust the degree of attachment of the driving wheel321to the transmission belt330. It should be noted that the number of the adjusting rods602in the driven wheel adjusting device600can be freely adjusted according to actual needs. In order to make the connection between the driven wheel adjusting device600and the frame104more smooth, in some embodiments, the driven wheel adjusting device600may further include a guide rod603. One end of the guide rod603may be fixedly connected to the frame and the other end passes through the aforementioned fixing seat601. Such arrangement ensures that when adjusting the position of the driven wheel332, the driven wheel adjusting device600moves along the guide rod603and does not easily have unfavorable situations such as swinging. Moreover, after the adjustment of the position of the driven wheel332is completed, during use of the device, the guide rod603also enables more firm fixing of the driven wheel332.

As shown inFIG.9, a schematic structural view of the clutch320in some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The clutch320may be an electromagnetic clutch, and accordingly, includes a driving wheel321, a bearing seat322, a support bearing323, an adapter324, a base325, and an electromagnetic clutch body326. The electromagnetic clutch body326is disposed on the base325to achieve positioning thereof. The electromagnetic clutch body326is connected to the adapter324, and the adapter324is rotatably connected to the support bearing323. The support bearing323is disposed on the bearing seat322, can provide support to the adapter324, and does not affect the rotation of the adapter324. The adapter324is connected to the driving wheel321through a rotating shaft. In this way, the electromagnetic clutch body326is rotatably connected to the driving wheel321through the adapter324. In addition, the electromagnetic clutch body326is further provided with a shaft327. The shaft327may cooperate with the output shaft328of the motor assembly310to achieve power output of the motor assembly310. Referring toFIG.3andFIG.9, in some embodiments, the motor assembly310may be connected to a fixing plate329and disposed on the base325by means of the fixing plate329.

In order to further improve the smoothness of the counterweight200and the adjustable arm106during movement along the frame104, a second pulley block and a third pulley block may be further provided. As shown inFIG.10, a schematic view illustrating connection relationships between the frame104and the counterweight200as well as the adjustable arm106in some embodiments of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, the frame104is provided with a number of pulleys, for example, pulleys141to144, which together form the second pulley block. The second pulley block may be slidably connected to the adjustable arm106during movement of the adjustable arm106, so as to reduce the friction between the frame104and the adjustable arm106. Similarly, the counterweight200may also be provided with a number of pulley structures, such as pulleys145and146, which together form the third pulley block. The third pulley block can achieve slidable connection between the counterweight200and the frame104to reduce the friction between them during movement of the counterweight200. It should be noted that under the teachings of the present invention, the numbers and positions of the pulleys in the second pulley block and the third pulley block can be adjusted.

As shown inFIG.11,FIG.11is a flowchart of an imaging method of an imaging device in some embodiments of the present invention. The imaging method may be implemented by the imaging device in any of the embodiments described above. The imaging method of the imaging device in any of the embodiments of the present invention is now further described.

Step S1101: adjust a position of the imaging assembly108so that the imaging assembly is close to a surface of tissue to be imaged. According to the above description, in some embodiments, the weight of the counterweight200is specially designed and is approximately equal to the sum of the weights of the adjustable arm106and the imaging assembly108. In this case, it will become easier for an operator to adjust the position of the imaging assembly108. Since such setting ensures that the imaging assembly108is substantially neutrally buoyant, it is only needed to apply a small upward or downward force to the imaging assembly108to adjust the position thereof in the vertical direction, so that the imaging assembly108can be close to the surface of the tissue to be imaged to prepare for the next step imaging.

The pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged has an important impact on the imaging quality—an excessively large or small force is disadvantageous to improving the imaging quality, and therefore adjustment needs to be made before imaging. Step S1102: control the driving device301to act on the counterweight200, and adjust pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged. In some cases, the pressure of the imaging assembly108on the tissue to be imaged may need to be increased; at this time, the driving device301can be controlled to act on the counterweight200, for example, to apply to the counterweight200a force that is upward relative to the bottom of the frame104. In this case, the force applied by the counterweight200to the bottom of the adjustable arm106through the cable will be decreased. Then, due to the gravity of the adjustable arm106and the imaging assembly108, the imaging assembly108will have a tendency to move downward; at this time, the pressure of the imaging assembly108on the tissue to be imaged will be increased. On the contrary, in some other cases, the pressure of the imaging assembly108on the tissue to be imaged may need to be decreased; at this time, the driving device301can be controlled to act on the counterweight200, and apply to the counterweight200a force that is downward relative to the bottom of the frame104. In this case, the force applied by the counterweight200to the bottom of the adjustable arm106through the cable will be increased. Because of the force, the pressure of the imaging assembly108on the tissue to be imaged will be decreased. The effect of the driving device301on the counterweight200is controlled, so that the operator can easily adjust the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged.

After step S1102, the operator adjusts the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged to a certain degree, and then the imaging assembly108can be used to perform imaging, as in step S1103ofFIG.11. In some embodiments, the imaging assembly108includes an ultrasonic transducer, and the imaging assembly108may be used to ultrasonically image the tissue to be imaged. The specific imaging process will not be described herein again. However, it should be noted that the order of operation of the aforementioned steps may be adjusted. Moreover, the operator may alternately perform the aforementioned steps according to actual needs. For example, in the imaging process, the imaging quality may be changed for some reasons; at this time, the operator may select to adjust the pressure applied by the imaging assembly again.

As described above, in some embodiments, the driving device301includes a clutch320. When step S1101is performed, the clutch320may be in a disengaged state; at this time, the driving device301will not act on the transmission belt330, and accordingly, the transmission belt330has small resistance only to the counterweight200. At this time, the operator can conveniently, manually, and rapidly operate the adjustable arm106or the imaging assembly108to bring the imaging assembly108close to the surface of the tissue to be imaged. It should be noted that the operator may also select to adjust the clutch to an engaged state and achieve adjustment of the position of the imaging assembly108using the actuation of the driving device301.

In addition, when step S1102is performed, the clutch320may be in an engaged state; at this time, the driving device301can act on the transmission belt330and then act on the counterweight200through the transmission belt330, so as to change the force applied by the counterweight200to the adjustable arm106. The change of the force results in a change in the force applied to the imaging assembly108, and then changes the pressure applied by the imaging assembly108onto the tissue to be imaged.

The purpose of providing the above specific embodiments is to allow the content disclosed in the present invention to be understood more thoroughly and comprehensively, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, equivalent replacements, and changes can also be made to the present invention. As long as these changes do not violate the spirit of the present invention, they should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.