Ultrasonic imaging linear array probe based on hexagonal arrangement of elements

Abstract

The utility model provides an ultrasonic imaging surface array probe based on regular hexagon arrangement array element, and the array element adopts regular hexagon arrangement, and each array element has three direction transmission and receiving function, cooperates unique addressing and signal processing algorithm, can realize higher quality compound imaging. This makes the resolution and contrast of ultrasonic image improve greatly, and the doctor can see the details of tissue and organ more clearly, helps more accurate disease diagnosis, especially has obvious advantage in observing micro lesion, complex structure and blood flow signal etc. The addressing technology of the utility model can realize the combination imaging of multidirectional signal, thereby increases the imaging angle, expands the effective coverage, reduces the imaging blind area. This is especially important when imaging the complex shape organ or lesion, can obtain information more comprehensively, avoids missing key details, provides more complete image basis for clinical diagnosis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ultrasonic imaging technology, and in particular to an ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasound imaging, as a non-invasive and non-destructive medical diagnostic technique, is widely used in clinical medicine in various fields, including abdominal, superficial and small organ, peripheral vascular, cardiac, and obstetric / gynecological examinations, due to its numerous advantages such as high real-time performance, low cost, and high portability. For example, transthoracic ultrasound, transesophageal ultrasound, and intracardiac ultrasound provide doctors with real-time anatomical and hemodynamic information, assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

[0003] However, with the continuous advancement of medical technology, clinical requirements for ultrasound imaging quality are constantly increasing. Current ultrasound imaging technology still has shortcomings in some aspects, such as in cardiac imaging, where there is still room for improvement in displaying the fine internal structures of the heart and assessing complex arrhythmias. Therefore, developing an ultrasound imaging array probe that can provide higher quality images is of great significance for meeting clinical needs, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enhancing treatment outcomes.

[0004] Traditional ultrasound imaging probes are mostly linear or matrix arrays, and their element arrangement and addressing techniques limit further improvements in imaging quality and efficiency. For example, traditional linear array probes can only provide two-dimensional imaging information, while area array probes can provide three-dimensional imaging information. However, existing area array probes have some limitations, such as complex manufacturing processes due to the large number of elements, difficult wiring due to the large number of channels, and large data volume.

[0005] Row-column addressing (RCA) is a method proposed to simplify the manufacturing process and circuit design of area array probes. By treating a two-dimensional matrix as two interchangeable, overlapping one-dimensional arrays, it reduces the number of channels, thereby alleviating the aforementioned problems to some extent. However, this technology still has certain limitations, such as its imaging angle and imaging quality being limited by the array element arrangement and addressing mode.

[0006] Furthermore, existing area array probes still have room for improvement in the shape and arrangement of array elements. Traditional array elements are mostly arranged in a rectangular pattern, which is insufficient in terms of space utilization and signal coverage, and can easily lead to signal blind spots during imaging, affecting the integrity and accuracy of the image.

[0007] In summary, existing ultrasound imaging array technology still needs further improvement in terms of element arrangement, addressing methods, and imaging quality to meet clinical demands for high-quality ultrasound images. Against this backdrop, this invention proposes an ultrasound imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal element arrangement, aiming to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and improve the quality and efficiency of ultrasound imaging. Utility Model Content

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives and other advantages of this utility model, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element, comprising multiple array elements arranged in a close array according to a regular hexagonal pattern. Each array element has transmission and reception functions in three directions, and the three directions of each array element are combined with the directions of its adjacent array elements to achieve multi-angle signal transmission and reception.

[0009] Furthermore, each of the array elements transmits ultrasonic signals in three directions in the transmission mode and receives echo signals from three directions in the reception mode. By addressing and signal processing, the signals transmitted and received in different directions are combined and processed to achieve higher quality composite imaging.

[0010] Furthermore, the area array probe selects different array elements as transmitting elements in sequence according to timing control, and receives corresponding echo signals to achieve multi-angle signal acquisition and improve imaging quality.

[0011] Furthermore, the array element is a regular hexagon or a circle.

[0012] Furthermore, each array element is provided with three sets of independent electrodes, corresponding to the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction, respectively, to support multi-directional signal transmission and reception.

[0013] Furthermore, the first direction corresponds to 0°, the second direction corresponds to 60°, and the third direction corresponds to 120°.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] Significantly improved imaging quality: The array elements are arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern, with each element having transmission and reception capabilities in three directions. Combined with unique addressing and signal processing algorithms, higher-quality composite imaging can be achieved. This greatly improves the resolution and contrast of ultrasound images, allowing doctors to see the details of tissues and organs more clearly, which helps to diagnose diseases more accurately, especially in observing minute lesions, complex structures, and blood flow signals.

[0016] Optimized imaging angle and coverage: Unlike the row and column addressing methods of traditional area arrays, the addressing technology of this invention can achieve combined imaging of multi-directional signals, thereby increasing the imaging angle, expanding the effective coverage, and reducing imaging blind spots. This is especially important when imaging organs or lesions with complex shapes, enabling more comprehensive information acquisition, avoiding the omission of key details, and providing more complete image evidence for clinical diagnosis.

[0017] Improving Imaging Efficiency: Through innovative addressing technology and signal processing algorithms, this invention can complete multi-angle and multi-directional signal acquisition and image reconstruction in a relatively short time, greatly improving imaging efficiency. This not only helps reduce patient examination time and improve the medical experience, but also enables doctors to obtain diagnostic information in a shorter time, thereby accelerating the process of making diagnostic and treatment decisions.

[0018] Simplified manufacturing process and reduced costs: Although the area array probe of this invention offers improvements in functionality and performance, its hexagonal array element arrangement and unique addressing method reduce the number of channels compared to traditional high-channel-count area array probes. This helps simplify the manufacturing process, reduce production costs, and also improves the reliability and stability of the equipment, reducing the risk of failure that may be caused by an excessive number of channels. This allows high-performance ultrasound imaging technology to be more widely applied in clinical practice.

[0019] Excellent compatibility and versatility: The area array probe design of this invention is highly compatible with existing ultrasound imaging systems. With only appropriate software upgrades and interface adaptations, it can be applied in various scenarios. This not only reduces equipment upgrade costs for medical institutions but also facilitates the further development and promotion of ultrasound imaging technology. It possesses excellent versatility and practicality, playing a vital role in diverse clinical settings and providing strong support for disease diagnosis and treatment.

[0020] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it according to the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific implementation methods of this utility model are given in detail in the following embodiments and their accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a rectangular array composed of regular hexagonal array elements arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a rectangular array composed of rounded array elements arranged in regular hexagons;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a regular hexagonal array composed of regular hexagonal array elements arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a regular hexagonal array composed of circular array elements arranged in regular hexagons;

[0026] Figure 5 Schematic diagrams of other shape arrays based on regular hexagonal arrangements;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional electrode layout;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the six-axis combined imaging method. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] In the accompanying drawings, shapes and dimensions may be enlarged for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used in all figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0031] In the following description, terms such as center, thickness, height, length, front, back, rear, left, right, top, bottom, upper, and lower are defined relative to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings. In particular, "height" corresponds to the dimension from top to bottom, "width" corresponds to the dimension from left to right, and "depth" corresponds to the dimension from front to back. These are relative concepts and may vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other orientations should not be interpreted as restrictive terms.

[0032] Terms involving attachment, connection, etc. (e.g., “connection” and “attachment”) refer to the relationship in which these structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other through an intermediate structure, as well as movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0033] This utility model relates to the field of ultrasound imaging technology, and more particularly to an area array probe for ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound imaging, as a non-invasive and non-destructive medical diagnostic technique, is widely used in clinical medicine in various fields such as abdominal imaging, superficial and small organ imaging, peripheral vascular imaging, cardiac imaging, and obstetrics and gynecology, due to its numerous advantages including high real-time performance, low cost, and high portability. However, with the continuous advancement of medical technology, the clinical requirements for ultrasound imaging quality are also constantly increasing. Existing ultrasound imaging technology still has shortcomings in some aspects, such as in cardiac imaging, where there is still room for improvement in displaying the fine internal structures of the heart and assessing complex arrhythmias. Therefore, developing an ultrasound imaging area array probe that can provide higher quality images is of great significance for meeting clinical needs, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enhancing treatment outcomes.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] An ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array of elements, such as Figures 1-5 As shown, the array includes multiple array elements arranged in a close-packed hexagonal pattern. Each array element has transmission and reception functions in three directions, denoted as direction A, direction B, and direction C. Unlike traditional RCA addressing technology, the addressing method of this invention fully utilizes the geometric characteristics of the hexagon. The three directions of each array element can be combined with the directions of other adjacent array elements to achieve multi-angle signal transmission and reception.

[0036] Specifically, each array element can transmit ultrasonic signals in three directions in transmit mode and receive echo signals from three directions in receive mode. Through specific addressing and signal processing algorithms, the signals transmitted and received from different directions are combined and processed to achieve higher quality composite imaging.

[0037] In actual ultrasound imaging, the area array probe selects different array elements sequentially as transmitting elements according to a certain timing control, and receives corresponding echo signals. For example, one element can be selected to transmit a signal along direction A and receive echo signals from directions B and C; different combinations of transmission and reception directions can also be selected to obtain more image information. In this way, the three-directional transmission and reception functions of the regular hexagonal array elements can be fully utilized to achieve multi-angle signal acquisition, thereby improving imaging quality.

[0038] Furthermore, the array elements are regular hexagons or circles, such as... Figures 1-4 As shown, the array employs a tightly packed honeycomb pattern. Compared to rectangular array elements, the density is increased by approximately 15.47% (theoretical value for honeycomb filling), reducing sound energy leakage. Furthermore, since regular hexagons can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of seamless tessellation and minimizing perimeter to enclose the maximum area in a two-dimensional plane, therefore, as... Figure 5As shown, it has a perfect advantage in terms of the diversity of array shapes.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, each array element is provided with three sets of independent electrodes, corresponding to the first direction A, the second direction B, and the third direction C, respectively, supporting multi-directional signal transmission and reception. Further, the first direction corresponds to 0°, the second direction to 60°, and the third direction to 120°.

[0040] like Figure 7 As shown, unlike existing RCA addressing technology, the addressing method of this invention makes full use of the geometric characteristics of a regular hexagon. The three directions of each array element can be combined with the directions of other adjacent array elements to achieve multi-angle signal transmission and reception.

[0041] Transmission mode: Drive array elements in groups according to directions A / B / C, and each group transmits plane wave / divergent wave and other ultrasonic beams at multiple angles as needed along the specified direction.

[0042] Reception mode: After each transmission, two electrodes in non-transmission directions are selected for reception (e.g., when A transmits, B and C receive), forming six transmission-reception combinations. A composite image is generated using signal fusion algorithms (e.g., delay superposition, coherent synthesis) to reduce sidelobes and artifacts in a single direction and minimize scanning blind spots.

[0043] This embodiment uses a dense hexagonal arrangement to increase spatial sampling points, and combines beamforming in three directions with six combinations to improve axial / lateral resolution; it eliminates angle-dependent artifacts (such as mirror artifacts and sidelobe artifacts) through multi-plane composite scanning, thereby achieving artifact suppression and improving contrast.

[0044] The ultrasonic imaging array probe provided by this utility model adopts a regular hexagonal array element arrangement: unlike the rectangular or other shaped array element arrangement of traditional arrays, the regular hexagonal array element arrangement has higher space utilization and symmetry, which can reduce mutual interference between array elements, improve imaging effect, and lay the foundation for obtaining higher quality ultrasonic images.

[0045] The ultrasonic imaging array probe provided by this utility model has three-directional transmission and reception functions: each array element arranged in a regular hexagon has three-directional transmission and reception functions. Unlike the row and column transmission and reception methods of existing arrays, this multi-directional signal transmission and reception method can acquire richer image information, providing the possibility for achieving high-quality composite imaging.

[0046] The ultrasonic imaging array probe provided by this utility model adopts a unique addressing technology: the innovative addressing technology allows the three directions of each array element to be combined with the directions of other adjacent array elements respectively. Through specific addressing and signal processing algorithms, the signals transmitted and received in different directions are fused and processed to achieve higher quality composite imaging, further improving the resolution and contrast of the image, and helping to observe the detected object more comprehensively.

[0047] The ultrasonic imaging array probe provided by this utility model adopts a composite imaging method: This utility model proposes a signal composite imaging method based on six combinations of three directions of regular hexagonal array elements. It makes full use of the advantages of multi-directional signals, breaks the limitations of traditional imaging methods, effectively improves the quality and efficiency of ultrasonic imaging, and provides clearer and more accurate image evidence for clinical diagnosis.

[0048] The number of devices and processing scale described herein are for the purpose of simplifying the description of this utility model. Applications, modifications, and variations of this utility model will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0049] Although the embodiments of this utility model have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, this utility model is not limited to the specific details and the illustrations shown and described herein.

[0050] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0051] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the system embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions in the method embodiments.

[0052] The above description is merely an embodiment of this specification and is not intended to limit the scope of one or more embodiments of this specification. Various modifications and variations can be made to one or more embodiments of this specification by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of one or more embodiments of this specification should be included within the scope of the claims of one or more embodiments of this specification.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element, characterized in that: It includes multiple array elements arranged in a close hexagonal pattern to form an array. Each array element has transmission and reception functions in three directions. The three directions of each array element are combined with the directions of its adjacent array elements to achieve multi-angle signal transmission and reception.

2. The ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In transmit mode, each element transmits ultrasonic signals in three directions, and in receive mode, receives echo signals from three directions. By addressing and signal processing, the transmitted and received signals from different directions are combined and processed to achieve higher quality composite imaging.

3. The ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The area array probe selects different array elements as transmitting elements in sequence according to the timing control, and receives the corresponding echo signals to realize multi-angle signal acquisition and improve imaging quality.

4. The ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The array elements are either regular hexagons or circles.

5. The ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each array element is provided with three sets of independent electrodes, corresponding to the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction, respectively, supporting multi-directional signal transmission and reception.

6. The ultrasonic imaging array probe based on a regular hexagonal array element as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The first direction corresponds to 0°, the second direction corresponds to 60°, and the third direction corresponds to 120°.

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