Ultrasound transducer

Abstract

An ultrasonic transducer is provided. The ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements and a controller. The plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements are arranged in parallel along a short axis direction. The controller is coupled to the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements. The controller drives the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements to provide ultrasonic signals respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic transducer. Background Technology

[0002] Current ultrasound transducers provide ultrasound signals and receive reflected signals associated with those signals. However, when an obstacle exists between the object being measured and the ultrasound transducer, the reflected signal is blocked. For example, the object being measured could be the chest cavity, and the obstacle could be the ribs. Most of the reflected signal is blocked, with only a small portion reaching the internal organs within the chest cavity via the intercostal spaces. The intensity of the ultrasound signal reaching the object is inevitably insufficient. Therefore, how to ensure the ultrasound signal avoids obstacles while maintaining sufficient intensity to reach the object is a key research focus for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides an ultrasonic transducer that enables ultrasonic signals to avoid obstacles and maintain the strength of the ultrasonic signal reaching the object being tested.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes an ultrasonic transducer comprising: a plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements arranged in parallel along the short axis; and a controller coupled to the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements and configured to drive the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements to provide ultrasonic signals respectively.

[0005] Preferably, at least one of the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements is driven to generate a sensing space with a fan shape.

[0006] Preferably, the more driven arc-shaped transducer elements there are, the greater the signal strength in the sensing space.

[0007] Preferably, the material of the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements includes a piezoelectric material, each of the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements having a emitting surface for emitting the ultrasonic signal, wherein the ultrasonic transducer further includes: a matching layer having a first surface disposed corresponding to the emitting surface; and an acoustic lens layer disposed corresponding to a second surface of the matching layer.

[0008] Preferably, the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements receive the reflected signal, and the reflected signal is used to generate an ultrasonic image.

[0009] Preferably, it also includes: a back-side structure having an arcuate convex surface; wherein the plurality of arcuate transducer elements are disposed on the arcuate convex surface, and wherein the arcuate concave surface of each of the plurality of arcuate transducer elements matches the arcuate convex surface.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes: a plurality of linear transducer elements, each extending along the short axis and arranged parallel to the long axis, stacked with the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements.

[0011] Preferably, the plurality of linear transducer elements receive the reflected signal, and the reflected signal is used to generate a stereoscopic ultrasound image.

[0012] Preferably, the material of the plurality of linear transducer elements includes a piezoelectric material.

[0013] Preferably, each of the plurality of linear transducer elements comprises a plurality of capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducers.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a reference potential layer disposed on the signal receiving surface of the plurality of linear transducer elements, to which a reference potential is applied.

[0015] Preferably, it also includes: a reference potential layer disposed on the arcuate convex surface of the plurality of arcuate transducer elements, to which a reference potential is applied.

[0016] Based on the above, the ultrasonic transducer of the present invention includes the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements. The plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements are driven to generate a sensing space. The sensing space can avoid obstacles between the object under test and the ultrasonic transducer. Therefore, the intensity of the ultrasonic signal reaching the object under test can be maintained. Furthermore, based on the arc-shaped design of the arc-shaped transducer elements, the ultrasonic transducer can provide a larger sensing space in other detection methods. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is an operational schematic diagram of an arc-shaped transducer array element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is another operational schematic diagram of an arc-shaped transducer element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic transducer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic transducer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0025] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Component symbols used in the following description, when appearing in different drawings, are considered to be the same or similar components. These embodiments are only a part of the present invention and do not disclose all possible implementations of the invention. More precisely, these embodiments are merely examples within the scope of the present invention's patent application.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 100 includes arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 and a controller 120. The arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 are arranged in parallel along the minor axis direction D1. Furthermore, the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 are respectively curved along the major axis direction D2. The arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 are disposed in an ultrasonic probe 110. The controller 120 is coupled to the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6. The controller 120 drives the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 to provide an ultrasonic signal SU respectively.

[0027] For example, controller 120 provides drive signal SC to arc transducer elements A1 to A6. Arc transducer elements A1 to A6 respectively respond to the voltage or phase of drive signal SC to generate ultrasonic signal SU.

[0028] In this embodiment, the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 are driven to generate a sensing space. This sensing space avoids obstacles (such as ribs) between the object being measured and the ultrasonic transducer 100. Therefore, the intensity of the ultrasonic signal SU reaching the object being measured (e.g., the chest cavity) can be maintained. Furthermore, based on the arc-shaped design of the transducer elements A1 to A6, the ultrasonic transducer 100 can provide a larger sensing space in other detection methods.

[0029] For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the following: Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of an arc-shaped transducer array element according to an embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, the sensing space SSP1 is shown below. Figure 2Only the arc-shaped transducer element A1 is shown. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 100 operates, for example, in a phase array detection mode or a linear detection mode. Therefore, at least one of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 is driven to generate a fan-shaped sensing space SSP1. In this embodiment, the sensing space SSP1 is the space that the ultrasonic signal SU can reach. Therefore, increasing the sensing space SSP1 increases signal acquisition. It should be noted that the sensing space SSP1 avoids obstacles OB1 and OB2 (e.g., ribs or other bones). Therefore, the ultrasonic signal SU is not blocked by obstacles OB1 and OB2. The intensity of the ultrasonic signal SU reaching the target object OT in the sensing space SSP1 is not reduced. Furthermore, the more arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 that are driven, the greater the signal intensity in the sensing space SSP1. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 100 can control the intensity of the ultrasonic signal SU based on the number of driven arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6. In this way, the ultrasonic transducer 100 has good control linearity. Furthermore, the fan-shaped sensing space SSP1 can easily sense elongated targets OT (e.g., needle-like objects). Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 100 can easily generate the sensing space SSP1 in a linear detection manner to detect elongated targets OT.

[0030] For further details, please refer to the following: Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is another operational schematic diagram of the arc-shaped transducer array element according to an embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, the sensing space SSP2 is shown. Figure 3 Only the arc-shaped transducer element A1 is shown. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 100 operates, for example, in a linear detection mode. Therefore, at least one of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 is driven to generate a sensing space SSP2. It should be noted that the sensing space SSP2 extends along the emitting surface direction of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6. The emitting surfaces of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 are arc-shaped convex surfaces. Therefore, the sensing space SSP2 is significantly expanded. In this way, the ultrasonic transducer 100 can provide a larger sensing space in the linear detection mode. Conventional ultrasonic transducers must use a convex detection mode to generate the sensing space SSP2. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 100 can generate the sensing space SSP2 using a simpler linear detection mode.

[0031] Please return Figure 1In this embodiment, the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 are also capable of receiving a reflected signal SR. The reflected signal SR is used to generate an ultrasonic image. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 receive the reflected signal SR from the sensing space. The arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 are deformed in response to the reflected signal SR to generate an electrical signal associated with the received reflected signal SR. The electrical signal is provided to the controller 120. The ultrasonic image is generated based on the electrical signal. For example, a processing circuit located outside the ultrasonic transducer 100 receives the electrical signal through the controller 120 and converts the electrical signal into an ultrasonic image.

[0032] In this embodiment, the material of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 includes a piezoelectric material. For example, the piezoelectric material is PZT piezoelectric ceramic (this invention is not limited thereto). For instance, the arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 each include multiple piezoelectric structures or piezoelectric patterns.

[0033] In this embodiment, the number of arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6 is taken as 6. The number of arc-shaped transducer elements in this invention can be multiple, and is not limited to the number of arc-shaped transducer elements in this embodiment.

[0034] In this embodiment, arc-shaped transducer element A1 is adjacent to arc-shaped transducer element A2. Arc-shaped transducer element A2 is adjacent to arc-shaped transducer element A3, and so on. In some embodiments, there is a spacing between two adjacent arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6. The spacing is less than half the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal SU and less than half the wavelength of the reflected signal SR.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 200 includes multiple arc-shaped transducer elements and a back-side structure BK. The implementation of the multiple arc-shaped transducer elements has already been described. Figures 1 to 3 The configurations are clearly illustrated in the various embodiments and will not be repeated here. To clearly illustrate the configuration between the multiple arc-shaped transducer elements and the back-side structure BK, this embodiment only shows the configuration of the back-side structure BK and the arc-shaped transducer element A1. In this embodiment, the back-side structure BK is used to absorb the controller (such as...). Figure 1 The controller 120 shown interacts with the arcuate transducer element to reduce reflected noise. The back-side structure BK has an arcuate convex surface P1. An arcuate transducer element A1 is disposed on the arcuate convex surface P1. Furthermore, the arcuate concave surface PCC of the arcuate transducer element A1 matches the arcuate convex surface P1 of the back-side structure BK. Therefore, the arcuate transducer element A1 can be attached to the arcuate convex surface P1 of the back-side structure BK. The plurality of arcuate transducer elements and the back-side structure BK are configured in the ultrasonic probe 110.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 300 includes arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6, linear transducer elements L1-L6, and a controller 120. The arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 are arranged parallel to each other along the minor axis direction D1. The arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 are respectively curved in an arc shape along the major axis direction D2. The linear transducer elements L1-L6 extend along the minor axis direction D1 and are arranged parallel to each other along the major axis direction D2. The extension directions of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 and the extension directions of the linear transducer elements L1-L6 are intersected. Furthermore, the linear transducer elements L1-L6 and the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 are stacked. The arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 and A1-A6 are disposed in an ultrasonic probe 310.

[0037] Controller 120 is coupled to arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 and linear transducer elements L1-L6. Controller 120 drives the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 to provide ultrasonic signals SU respectively. Linear transducer elements L1-L6 receive reflected signals SR respectively. In this embodiment, the material of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 includes piezoelectric materials. Piezoelectric materials are, for example, PZT piezoelectric ceramics (this invention is not limited thereto). For example, the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 each include multiple piezoelectric structures or piezoelectric patterns.

[0038] In some embodiments, the linear transducer elements L1 to L6 are made of piezoelectric materials. For example, piezoelectric materials are PZT piezoelectric ceramics. For instance, each of the linear transducer elements L1 to L6 includes multiple piezoelectric structures or piezoelectric patterns. In some embodiments, each linear transducer element L1 to L6 includes multiple capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs).

[0039] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the extension directions of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 and the linear transducer elements L1-L6 are staggered. Therefore, the stacking of the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 and the linear transducer elements L1-L6 provides the sensing array of the ultrasonic transducer 300. The sensing array has 36 equivalent sensing elements. Furthermore, the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 respectively provide the ultrasonic signal SU. The linear transducer elements L1-L6 respectively receive the reflected signal SR. Therefore, the division of labor between the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 and the linear transducer elements L1-L6 enables the ultrasonic transducer 300 to have a faster response speed. Thus, the linear transducer elements L1-L6 quickly receive the reflected signal SR. The reflected signal SR is used to generate a stereoscopic ultrasonic image.

[0040] Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer 300 has a fast response speed. This allows the arc-shaped transducer elements A1-A6 to receive multi-layer reflection signals SR at different depths in a short time. Therefore, a stereoscopic ultrasound image is generated in a short time. The linear transducer elements L1-L6 are deformed in response to the reflection signals SR to generate multi-layer electrical signals associated with the received multi-layer reflection signals SR. The multi-layer electrical signals are provided to the controller 120. The ultrasound image is generated based on the multi-layer electrical signals. For example, a processing circuit located outside the ultrasonic transducer 300 receives the multi-layer electrical signals through the controller 120, converts the multi-layer electrical signals into multi-layer ultrasound images, and combines the multi-layer ultrasound images into a stereoscopic ultrasound image.

[0041] In this embodiment, the number of linear transducer elements L1 to L6 is taken as 6. The number of linear transducer elements in this invention can be multiple, and is not limited to the number of linear transducer elements in this embodiment.

[0042] In this embodiment, arc-shaped transducer element A1 is adjacent to arc-shaped transducer element A2. Arc-shaped transducer element A2 is adjacent to arc-shaped transducer element A3, and so on. Linear transducer element L1 is adjacent to linear transducer element L2. Linear transducer element L2 is adjacent to linear transducer element L3, and so on. In some embodiments, there is a spacing between two adjacent arc-shaped transducer elements A1 to A6. The spacing is less than half the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal SU and half the wavelength of the reflected signal SR. Similarly, there is a spacing between two adjacent linear transducer elements L1 to L6. The spacing is less than half the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal SU and half the wavelength of the reflected signal SR.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 400 includes multiple arc-shaped transducer elements (only arc-shaped transducer element A1 is shown in this embodiment), linear transducer elements L1 to L6, a back-side structure BK, and reference potential layers LVR1 and LVR2. The implementation methods of the multiple arc-shaped transducer elements, linear transducer elements L1 to L6, and back-side structure BK have been described previously. Figures 1 to 5 The embodiments are clearly illustrated and will not be repeated here. A reference potential layer LVR1 is disposed on the transmitting surface PCV (i.e., the arcuate convex surface) of the plurality of arcuate transducer elements. A reference potential VR is applied to the reference potential layer LVR1. The reference potential VR is, for example, a ground potential (this invention is not limited thereto). In this embodiment, a reference potential layer LVR2 is disposed on the signal receiving surface (i.e., the arcuate convex surface) of the linear transducer elements L1 to L6. A reference potential VR is applied to the reference potential layer LVR2. Reference potential layers LVR1 and LVR2 are used to isolate electromagnetic interference. Therefore, the risk of malfunction of the plurality of arcuate transducer elements and the linear transducer elements L1 to L6 due to electromagnetic interference can be reduced.

[0044] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 as well as Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 100 further includes a matching layer ML and an acoustic lens layer AL. The matching layer ML has a first surface PW1 and a second surface PW2. The first surface PW1 is opposite to the second surface PW2. The matching layer ML is disposed corresponding to the emission surface PE (i.e., the arcuate convex surface) of the arcuate transducer elements A1 to A6. In this embodiment, the first surface PW1 of the matching layer ML is an arcuate concave surface. The first surface PW1 of the matching layer ML conforms to the emission surface PE of the arcuate transducer elements A1 to A6. Therefore, the matching layer ML can be attached to the emission surface PE of the arcuate transducer elements A1 to A6. The matching layer 124 has suitable acoustic impedance to provide better acoustic impedance matching between the ultrasonic transducer 100 and the test object, which allows most of the ultrasonic signal SU to reach the test object.

[0045] In this embodiment, the acoustic lens layer AL is disposed corresponding to the second surface PW2 of the matching layer ML. Taking this embodiment as an example, the acoustic lens layer AL has a first surface PA1 and a second surface PA2. The first surface PA1 is opposite to the second surface PA2. The second surface PW2 of the matching layer ML is a curved convex surface. The first surface PA1 of the acoustic lens layer AL is a curved concave surface. The second surface PW2 of the matching layer ML conforms to the first surface PA1 of the acoustic lens layer AL. Therefore, the acoustic lens layer AL can be attached to the second surface PW2 of the matching layer ML. The acoustic lens layer AL can be a lens through which the ultrasonic signal SU and the reflected signal SR can pass. The acoustic lens layer AL isolates and protects the ultrasonic probe 110. In this embodiment, the curved transducer elements A1 to A6, the matching layer ML, and the acoustic lens layer AL are disposed in the ultrasonic probe 110. Furthermore, the second surface PA2 of the acoustic lens layer AL is a curved convex surface.

[0046] In some embodiments, the second surface PW2 of the matching layer ML and the first surface PA1 of the acoustic lens layer AL can each be a plane.

[0047] In summary, the ultrasonic transducer of the present invention includes the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements. The plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements are driven to generate a sensing space. The sensing space can avoid obstacles between the object under test and the ultrasonic transducer. Therefore, the intensity of the ultrasonic signal reaching the object under test can be maintained. Based on the arc-shaped design of the arc-shaped transducer elements, the ultrasonic transducer can provide a larger sensing space in other detection methods. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer also includes a plurality of linear transducer elements. The reflected signals received by the ultrasonic transducer can be used to generate stereoscopic ultrasonic images.

[0048] The present invention has been described in the above-described embodiments; however, these embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. It must be noted that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Conversely, any modifications and refinements made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic transducer, characterized in that, include: Multiple arc-shaped transducer elements are arranged in parallel along the short axis; Multiple linear transducer elements extend along the short axis and are arranged in parallel along the long axis, and are stacked with the multiple arc-shaped transducer elements. as well as A controller, coupled to the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements, is configured to drive the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements so that the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements respectively provide ultrasonic signals; The plurality of linear transducer elements receive reflected signals, and the reflected signals are used to generate stereoscopic ultrasound images.

2. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the multiple arc-shaped transducer elements is driven to generate a sensing space with a fan shape.

3. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The more driven arc transducer elements there are, the greater the signal strength in the sensing space.

4. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements are made of piezoelectric material, each of the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements has a emitting surface, wherein the emitting surface is used to emit the ultrasonic signal, and the ultrasonic transducer further includes: A matching layer, having a first surface, is set to correspond to the emitting surface; and An acoustic lens layer is set on the second side of the matching layer.

5. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple arc-shaped transducer elements receive the reflected signal, and The reflected signal is used to generate an ultrasound image.

6. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The back-side structure has an arc-shaped convex surface. The plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements are disposed on the arc-shaped convex surface, and The concave surface of each of the plurality of arc-shaped transducer elements matches the convex surface of the arc.

7. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The materials used in these multiple linear transducer elements include piezoelectric materials.

8. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the multiple linear transducer elements includes multiple capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducers.

9. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A reference potential layer is disposed on the signal receiving surface of the plurality of linear transducer elements and is subjected to a reference potential.

10. The ultrasonic transducer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A reference potential layer is disposed on the arcuate convex surface of the plurality of arcuate transducer elements and is subjected to a reference potential.

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