Method and system for controlling a wave emitting device

Abstract

Method and system for controlling a wave emitting device The present disclosure relates to a method and a system (100; 200) for controlling a emitting device (20) comprising a transducer (22) for emitting waves (W1), said method comprising a modulation of output signals (SG1) emitted from a pulser (101) for controlling the transducer (22), the modulation being carried out by a controller (22) according to at least one of: a control of a supply voltage (V+, V-) of the pulser (101) by a power supply controller (122a, 122b) connected to a supply terminal (SHV+, SHV-, GND1) of the pulser; a control of the output signals (SG1) by an output controller (124) connected to the output (OUT1) of the pulser (101); and a control of return signals (SG2) of the transducer (22) by a return controller (126) connected to a return terminal (OUT2) of the transducer (22). Figure for abstract: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Method and system for controlling a wave emitting device Prior art

[0001] A wave emitting device typically comprises a plurality of transducer elements (e.g., arranged in an array) for communication, imaging, or scanning purposes, for example in the field of imaging, particularly medical imaging, radar, sonar, seismology, wireless communications, radio astronomy, acoustics, or biomedicine. An example includes ultrasound imaging.

[0002] For this purpose, the wave emitting device can be controlled by means of electrical signals emitted by one or more pulsers. These signals define waves transmitted to transducer elements of the emitting device, causing the emission of waves in a given medium. Electrical signals can be recovered in return by the transducer elements, these same transducers or other transducers, these signals representing a response (or echo) of the medium to the wave stresses.

[0003] For example, the purpose of ultrasound imaging may be to estimate the reflectivity of a medium. The frequency of the signals may then be chosen according to the characteristics of the medium observed (for example human tissues).

[0004] More particularly, in a conventional ultrasound imaging method, it is possible to use, for example, an ultrasound transducer device equipped with at least one ultrasound transducer element to convert the electrical signals into ultrasound waves. Each transducer can thus emit one or successively several ultrasound beams towards a medium, which corresponds to a transmission operation. Then, in a reception operation, a set of backscattered echo signals can be received from the medium by the same set or by another set of transducer elements. In particular, each of the transducer elements can, for example, convert a received echo signal into an electrical signal. The signal can then be processed by the ultrasound system or by any associated (dedicated) system, directly connected or not.For example, the signal may be amplified, filtered, digitized, and / or a signal conditioning operation may be performed. The transducer elements may be arranged in a transducer line, a matrix, or as a transducer array or any other configuration.

[0005] It has however been found that certain wave emitting devices, in particular imaging systems (of the ultrasound imaging type or other), suffer from a problem of accelerated aging, which can result in the occurrence of defects, system degradation and / or poor system performance. These fault or performance drift issues can lead to various failures, including degraded image quality in imaging applications (e.g., ultrasound imaging).

[0006] Furthermore, the development of such wave-emitting devices is often complex, which can make the design and / or calibration of such devices particularly complicated and costly. Disclosure Statement

[0007] One of the objects of the present disclosure is to solve at least one of the problems or deficiencies described above.

[0008] In particular, it may be desirable to improve the reliability and / or performance of a wave emitting device, in particular but not exclusively of an ultrasound transducer device.

[0009] In particular, it may be desirable to improve the control of a wave emitting device, in particular but not exclusively of an ultrasound transducer device.

[0010] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a wave emitting device comprising a transducer for emitting waves. The method according to the first aspect comprises: - modulation of output signals emitted from a pulser to drive the transducer, said modulation being carried out by a controller according to at least one of: (a) a control of a supply voltage of the pulser by a power supply controller connected to a supply terminal of the pulser; b) control of the output signals by an output controller connected to the output of the pulser; and (c) a control of transducer return signals by a feedback controller connected to a transducer return terminal.

[0011] By providing such a method, it advantageously becomes possible to improve the control of the wave-emitting device and therefore the performance and reliability of the system as a whole. Modulation makes it possible in particular to better control the output signals sent to the transducer and thus to ensure that the theoretical limit values ​​of the parameters (for example in current, voltage and / or power) of the transducer, and more generally of the transmission chain from the pulser to the transducer, are respected. By controlling the control of the transducer more precisely, it is possible to avoid excessively stressing the system, limit failures (breakdowns, degradations, etc.), ensure good reliability of the system and guarantee that the system has satisfactory performance.

[0012] Thanks to the concept of the present disclosure, it is possible to adapt the waves sent with more flexibility (in power, frequency, duration, etc.) without deteriorating pulsers or transducers, which makes it possible to overcome certain compromises or limitations (particularly in terms of power) which must usually be dealt with with this type of device to ensure good performance and normal aging of the assembly. Unlike conventional systems, it is possible thanks to the concept of the present disclosure to configure the device so as to emit the desired waves, that is to say conforming to the desired wave characteristics according to the intended application.

[0013] With a limited modification of the assembly, and therefore a low additional cost, it is thus possible to obtain a wave emitting device exhibiting high-level capabilities.

[0014] By implementing the concept of the present disclosure, it is possible, for example, to improve image quality, such as, for example, the quality of an ultrasound image, in an ultrasound imaging application. In particular, it is possible to obtain good image quality using the method of the present disclosure.

[0015] The method according to the disclosure may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, in particular among the following embodiments which are presented for illustration purposes only and may be combined or associated unless otherwise stipulated.

[0016] According to an example, during control a), the power supply controller modulates a power delivered to the pulser on the power supply terminal from a static voltage delivered by a voltage regulator.

[0017] According to one example, the power supply terminal of the pulser to which the power supply controller is connected is any one of: a positive power supply terminal, a negative power supply terminal, and a ground terminal of the pulser.

[0018] According to one example, during control b), the output controller modulates at least one of the electrical characteristics of the output signals of the pulser among the voltage, the current and the power of said output signals.

[0019] According to one example, the return terminal of the transducer is connected in series with a ground of the transmitting device.

[0020] According to one example, the modulation of the output signals is carried out at a modulation frequency Fm greater than or equal to a fraction 1 / P of the firing frequency Ft at which the transducer emits waves in response to the output signals of the pulser, P being an integer equal to 10.

[0021] According to one example, the transmitter device comprises a plurality of transducers each driven by a respective pulser, the modulation of signals being carried out independently per channel between each transducer and the respective pulser.

[0022] According to one example, the method comprises: - measurement of at least one operating parameter of a transmission chain through which the pulser sends the output signals to the transducer; wherein the modulation of the output signals is carried out as a function of said at least one measured operating parameter.

[0023] According to one example, said at least one operating parameter comprising at least one of: - a voltage at the output of the pulser; - the supply voltage of the pulser; - a ground voltage of the pulser; - a voltage across the terminals of the transmitting device; - a voltage in reception of the transducer; - a current at the output of the pulser; - a pulser supply current; - a ground current from the pulser; - a current flowing in the transmitting device; - a blower temperature; - a temperature of the transmitting device; - an electric field emitted by the pulser; - an electric field emitted by the emitting device; - a magnetic field emitted by the pulser; - a magnetic field emitted by the transmitting device; - an acoustic pressure emitted by the transmitting device; and - an acoustic pressure received by the transmitting device.

[0024] According to one example, the method comprises: - comparison of said at least one operating parameter with a threshold value respectively; the modulation of the output signals being a function of a result of said comparison.

[0025] According to an example, the power supply controller regulates the supply voltage to a first value during control a) if said at least one operating parameter does not exceed a respective threshold value, and wherein control a) comprises adapting the supply voltage from the first value to a second value, different from the first value, if said at least one operating parameter exceeds said respective threshold value.

[0026] According to one example, the modulation of the output signals is carried out by controlling at least one of the controls a), b) and c) as a function of said at least one measured operating parameter.

[0027] According to one example, the measurement of said at least one operating parameter is carried out during a calibration of the transmission chain, in which the modulation is carried out after the calibration in response to at least one command determined as a function of said at least one operating parameter.

[0028] According to one example, the method comprises: - measurement of at least one operating parameter of transmission chains through which each translator receives output signals from a respective pulser; and - upon detection that an operating parameter of a transmission chain satisfies a predefined criterion, adaptation of the modulation of the output signals emitted to the transducer of said transmission chain.

[0029] According to one example, the modulation of the output signals is carried out as a function of at least one of: - an imaging mode implemented by the pulser to drive the transmitting device; - a type of the transmitting device; and - user parameters of the transmitting device.

[0030] According to one example, the transducer is a piezoelectric transducer.

[0031] According to one example, said method is applied to ultrasound medical imaging.

[0032] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure may involve a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, participate in the implementation of the method according to the first aspect. In particular, the different steps of the method according to the first aspect may involve computer program instructions.

[0033] Such a computer program may use any programming language or equivalent, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a recording medium (or information medium), readable by a computer (or a processor), on which a computer program according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is recorded.

[0035] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program, such as at least one volatile and / or non-volatile memory. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a rewritable non-volatile memory, a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a ROM memory of the microelectronic circuit type, or even a magnetic recording means or a hard disk. This memory may for example comprise a graphics card (or video card) memory, this type of memory being in particular capable of processing image data (or video data).

[0036] On the other hand, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or terrestrial radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present disclosure can in particular be downloaded using a wired or non-wired network, of local or non-local type (Bluetooth® for example, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Internet, 4G, 5G or others).

[0037] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a control system configured to control a wave emitting device by implementing the control method of the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0039] According to one example, the control system comprises a memory associated with a processor, this memory comprising a computer program according to the second aspect of the disclosure.

[0040] According to one example, the control system comprises: - a pulser; and - a controller configured to modulate output signals emitted from the pulser to drive the emitting device, said controller comprising at least one of: a) a power supply controller, connected to a power supply terminal of the pulser, configured to control a power supply voltage of the pulser; (b) an output controller, connected to the output of the pulser, configured to control the output signals; and

[0041] c) a feedback controller, connected to a feedback terminal of the transducer, configured to monitor feedback signals from the transducer.

[0042] The control system may have functionalities that correspond to the operations of the method according to the first aspect of the disclosure. In particular, the various embodiments mentioned above in relation to the method according to the first aspect of the disclosure as well as the associated advantages may apply in a similar manner to the control system according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0043] The characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will appear more precisely on reading the description which follows, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended figures. In particular, the examples illustrated in the figures can be combined with each other, except in the case of obvious inconsistency. Brief description of the figures

[0044] Other characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will emerge from the description of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 15, in which:

[0045] [Fig.l] shows a schematic drawing of a system for controlling a wave emitting device, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046] [Fig.2] shows a schematic drawing of a system for controlling a wave emitting device, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0047] [Fig.3] shows a schematic drawing of an ultrasound imaging system according to an example of the prior art;

[0048] [Fig.4] shows a schematic drawing of a system for driving an ultrasonic transducer device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0049] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a controller configured to modulate the output signals of a pulser of the system of [Fig.4], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0050] [Fig.6] is a diagram schematically illustrating a control method implementing the control system of [Fig.4], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0051] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the modulation of output signals of a pulser of the control system of [Fig.4], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0052] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates the modulation of output signals of a pulser of the control system of [Fig.4], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0053] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates the modulation of output signals of a plurality of pulsers of the control system of [Fig.4], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0054] [Fig. 10] shows a schematic drawing of a system for driving an ultrasonic transducer device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0055] [Fig. 11] is a diagram schematically illustrating a control method implementing the control system of [Fig. 10], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0056] [Fig. 12] schematically illustrates means for measuring a current in the control system of [Fig. 10], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0057] [Fig. 13] schematically illustrates means for measuring a current in the control system of [Fig. 10], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0058] [Fig. 14] schematically illustrates means for measuring a voltage in the control system of [Fig. 10], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0059] [Fig. 15] schematically illustrates means for measuring a power in the control system of [Fig. 10], according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Description of the embodiments

[0060] The present disclosure relates to systems for controlling a wave emitting device and methods for controlling such a emitting device. This emitting device may constitute an ultrasound device, although other forms are possible. More particularly, it may be an imaging device, for example a medical imaging device, such as for example a medical ultrasound device (or system).

[0061] A wave emitting device, such as a transducer device for example, can be controlled by means of electrical signals emitted by one or more electronic pulsers, more simply called "pulsers", i.e. electrical signal generators. Each transducer (for example of the ultrasonic type) of the emitting device can thus be controlled by the signals delivered by a pulser of a control system. The transmission of these electrical signals can be ensured by a transmission chain from the pulsers to the transducers of the emitting device.

[0062] However, it has been found that the control of such a transmitting device, for example in an imaging application (by ultrasound for example), is not always well controlled. Indeed, the signals emitted by the pulser(s) do not always respect the limits provided for each component of the system. It has been observed that the limit values ​​set for certain parameters (current, voltage, temperature, etc.) of components in the transmission chain(s) of the system may be exceeded or not respected, which may lead to a degradation or drift in the performance of the system and / or to premature aging thereof.

[0063] These constraints and / or performance and reliability problems can have several origins. Firstly, pulsers are components configured to generate relatively high voltage signals (for example of the order of ± 100V) and relatively high current signals (for example of the order of ± 2A). In certain cases, it has been observed that a pulser can generate excessively high voltage and / or current output signals, which can degrade the system (for example cause a rise in temperature and failure of the pulser) or cause premature aging of the system. Other elements of the system can also deteriorate due to the stress generated by these voltage and / or current overshoots.

[0064] Furthermore, in certain ultrasound imaging systems, the piezoelectric transducers of the transmitting device are driven in transmission by pulsers generating signals which may contain harmonics, in particular when these signals are square-shaped. However, these harmonics are generally not (or only slightly) converted into acoustic energy by piezoelectric transducers and cause heat dissipation, which limits the energy efficiency of the system since certain parts of the signals emitted by the pulsers stress the system without being useful for driving the transducer. Thus, unused energy passing through a pulser can degrade the thermal and electrical performance of the pulser. Unused energy radiated by the system can also degrade the electromagnetic performance of the system. Finally, unused energy converted into heat by the transducer can degrade the thermal performance of the transducer.

[0065] In addition, a portion of the harmonics may be converted by the transducer and end up in the waves emitted into the external environment. In certain applications, the presence of such harmonics is not desirable, including in the acoustic domain. The emission of these harmonics may result in the acoustic signals emitted by the system being different from the intended theoretical signals, which may lead in particular to a degradation of the image quality in the case of an imaging application (ultrasound imaging for example).

[0066] In certain cases, the emission of such harmonics leads to excessive electromagnetic radiation, which can pose a problem in particular when a maximum limit of this radiation must be respected (for example in accordance with regulations imposed to obtain certification of the system).

[0067] To limit harmonics and avoid excessive electromagnetic radiation, it is known to use linear pulsers capable of generating sinusoidal signals, but this technique is expensive and has an efficiency that is not very suitable, in particular in the medical field, in particular due to the fact that the waves generated are limited in power and produce a lot of heat.

[0068] The constraints and / or problems mentioned above therefore require compromises to be made or certain characteristics of such a wave-emitting device to be limited in order to guarantee good performance and acceptable, or even efficient, aging of the assembly according to market requirements. These constraints and / or problems may also make it difficult to qualify such a wave-emitting device according to current standards.

[0069] The present disclosure advantageously makes it possible in particular to resolve the problems and deficiencies mentioned above thanks to the introduction of one or more controllers into a system for controlling a wave-emitting device, this or these controllers making it possible to modulate the output signals of one or more pulsers, and this dynamically, for example in real time (or quasi-real time). Unlike conventional control systems, the present disclosure makes it possible precise and flexible control over time of the signals emitted at the output of a pulser to a transducer of the transmitting device.

[0070] Control methods and control systems for controlling a wave emitting device will be described in the following according to particular embodiments of the disclosure with joint reference to Figures 1-15. Unless otherwise indicated, elements common or similar to several figures bear the same reference signs and have identical or similar characteristics, so that these common elements are generally not described again for the sake of brevity.

[0071] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)", etc.) are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, devices, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished.

[0072] As previously indicated, the present disclosure relates in particular to a method for controlling a wave-emitting device. [Fig. 1] schematically represents a system (or device) 10, also called a control system or command system, configured to control a wave-emitting device 20 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0073] The device 20 is configured to transmit, and possibly also receive, W waves. The nature of these W waves depends on the nature and configuration of the device 20, in particular in view of the use made of it. According to one example, the device 20 is configured to transmit W1 waves. According to another example, the device 20 is configured to transmit W1 waves and receive W2 waves.

[0074] The W waves may for example be (or comprise) acoustic waves, for example of the ultrasonic type. By way of example, it is subsequently considered that the device 20 is an ultrasonic transducer device (or ultrasonic probe) configured to emit ultrasonic waves WL. Note however that other examples of wave-emitting devices are possible according to the present disclosure as specified later. In particular, all or part of the wave-emitting device of the present disclosure may be implemented in a probe, for example an ultrasonic probe. In other words, all or part of the device of the disclosure may be external to the probe.

[0075] The control system 10 may comprise in this example a processing unit (or module) 11 and a control unit (or module) 12.

[0076] The control unit 12 (also called the power control unit) is configured to control the transducer device 20 by means of electrical signals SGI which are exchanged (or transmitted) between the system 10 and the transducer device 20. The control unit 12 thus generates electrical signals SGI which are transmitted to the transducer device 20 for causing the emission, by said transducer device 20, of ultrasonic waves W1 towards and / or into a medium M. The electrical signals SGI thus generated are representative of (or define the) ultrasonic waves W1 projected into the medium M. For this purpose, the control unit 12 may for example be or comprise at least one electronic pulser, also called a “pulser”. The electrical signals SGI may be of various shapes, for example square, sinusoidal, random (or pseudo-random), any shape, etc.

[0077] The control unit 12 may optionally comprise receiver devices or receiver circuits (not shown) configured to receive electrical signals SGI from the transducer device 20.

[0078] The processing unit 11 may be configured to control the control unit 12, for example by controlling the electrical signals SGI. This processing unit 11 may for example be or comprise at least one processor.

[0079] According to one example, the processing unit 11 and / or the control unit 12 are included in the body 31 (central element) of the system 10 shown for illustration purposes in [Fig.2].

[0080] More particularly, the processing unit 11 may be configured to control the electrical signals SGI which are generated by the control unit 12. The processing unit 11 may also be configured to process (and / or interpret) electrical signals SGI possibly received by the control unit 12 from the transducer device 20. These SGI signals are representative of waves W2 received by the transducer device 20 from the medium M ([Fig. 1]). These waves W2 form for example one or more ultrasonic echoes, that is to say a response of the medium M to the ultrasonic waves W1 emitted in the direction of said medium. The processing carried out by the processing unit 11 on the received SGI signals may vary depending on the case and comprise for example at least any one of operations of amplification, filtering, digitization and conditioning of the SGI signals.

[0081] The system 10 may include the transducer device 20. Alternatively, the transducer device 20 may be external to the system 10. For example, the transducer device 20 may be connected to the system 10 by a cable or may communicate wirelessly with it. In the latter case, the transducer device 10 may, for example, include a battery and receive communication signals from the system 10 that represent the SGI electrical signals (e.g., the driving frequencies and / or any information included in the electrical signals). The transducer device 20 may then reproduce the SGI electrical signals internally from the received communication signals.

[0082] The transducer device 20 may for example be a conventional wave emitting device. Thus, a difference according to the present disclosure may lie in the manner in which the transducer device 20 is driven and the associated means which are implemented. implemented to carry out such control. According to a variant, the transducer device 20 comprises a controller as described below in examples.

[0083] The system 10 may be stationary or mobile. The transducer device 20 may also be stationary or mobile. For example, the system 10 may be a fixed system (e.g., comprising a processing unit and a display device, as described below) and the transducer device 20 may be mobile (e.g., a sensor device, a measuring device, or a probe). However, it is also possible for the transducer device 20 to be integrated into the system 10, and for the system 10 to be a mobile system. For example, the system 10 may be configured to be driven autonomously, for example, by an included battery. Other examples are described below.

[0084] According to an example, the system 10 may comprise at least one memory 13 used by the processing unit 11 to control the control unit 10. This memory may optionally be part of the processing unit 11. In examples, the processor and the memory of the processing unit 11 may be incorporated into the system 10 illustrated in [Fig. 3] or may be incorporated into a computer or a computing device communicatively linked thereto. The memory may store, in the form of a computer program PG1, instructions participating in the implementation of the methods described herein. This memory may in particular store instructions for processing ultrasound data and / or instructions for constructing images illustrating the observed medium.

[0085] Depending on the configuration and the type of computing device considered, the memory 13 may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash, EEPROM, etc. or any other storage device and / or computer-readable medium as described below) or a combination of both. The memory 13 may, for example, be managed in DMA mode (for "Direct Memory Access" in English). The memory 13 used by the processing unit 11 may, for example, comprise all or part of a graphics card (or video card) memory, this type of memory being in particular capable of processing and / or sending image data that can be used to display one or more images on a display screen (or unit).

[0086] More generally, the system 10 may include storage devices (removable and / or non-removable), including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tapes.

[0087] Further, the system 10 may include one or more input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input, etc. and / or one or more output devices such as one or more displays, speakers, printer, etc. The environment may also include one or more communication connections, such as LAN, WAN, point-to-point, etc. In some embodiments, the connections may be used to establish point-to-point communications, wired communications, wireless communications, etc.

[0088] The system 10 may further comprise at least one computer-readable medium, such as the memory 13 in particular. The computer-readable media may be any available medium that can be accessed by the processing unit 11 (in particular its processor(s)) or other devices comprising the operating environment. By way of example, and without limitation, the computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media, implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The computer storage media do not include communication media.

[0089] The system 10 may be a single computer operating in a networked environment using logical connections with one or more remote computers. The remote computer may be a review station, a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device, or another common network node, and may generally include several or all of the elements described above as well as others not mentioned. The logical connections may include any method supported by the available communication media.

[0090] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the ultrasonic probe 20 may comprise for example one or more transducers (also called transducer elements) denoted 22, each being configured to convert an electrical signal SGI received from the system 10 into ultrasonic waves (and possibly also vice versa). The transducers 22 may thus be configured to emit waves (or ultrasonic pulses, or ultrasonic beams) W1 into the medium M, which corresponds to an emission operation.

[0091] The transducers 22 may optionally also be configured to receive ultrasonic signals W2 from the medium M in a reception operation, for example in response to the transmitted waves W1. These received signals W2 may take the form of a set of echo signals backscattered in response to the previously transmitted signals W1. Each transducer 22 may for example convert a received echo signal W2 into an electrical signal. The signal may then be processed by the control system 10 (for example by the processing unit 11) or by any associated (dedicated) system, directly connected or not. For example, the signal W2 may be amplified, filtered, digitized and / or a signal conditioning operation may be performed. The transducer elements can be arranged in a transducer line, an array, or as a transducer array or any other configuration.

[0092] Note that the same transducer(s) 22 may be used to emit waves (or pulses) W1 and, where appropriate, receive the waves W2 forming the response of the medium M, or different transducers may be used for the emission and reception of the waves. There may be one or more emission transducers, and possibly a plurality of reception transducers. In another variant, a single transducer 22 may be used. The transducers 22 may comprise piezoelectric crystals and / or other components which may be configured to generate and / or record and / or receive signals. For the sake of simplification of the description, it is considered in the following exemplary embodiments that the transducers 22 are piezoelectric transducers without this precision being in any way limiting.

[0093] Various arrangements of the transducer(s) 22 are possible. For example, a transducer array 22 comprising a plurality of transducers may be used. For example, a linear array may be provided comprising a plurality (e.g., between 2 and 10,000) of transducer elements juxtaposed along an X axis (horizontal direction or array direction X). In one example, the array is adapted to perform two-dimensional (2D) imaging of the medium M, but the array could also be a two-dimensional array adapted to perform 3D imaging of the medium M. Accordingly, a transducer array 22 may be used. However, it is also possible for the system to comprise a single line of transducers movable in a probe, so that 3D imaging can be performed.It is also possible that the transducer array comprises one or more lines of transmit transducing elements and one or more lines of receive transducing elements. The transducer array may also be a convex array comprising a plurality of transducer elements aligned along a curved line (e.g. in a curved probe).

[0094] According to one example, the processing unit 11 is configured to receive data from the transducer device 20, process data and / or send data to an external device, such as, for example, a processing, storage, display device, a server, a computer on which an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm is executed, a dedicated workstation, or any other external device.

[0095] The system 10 may be an imaging system, for example in the medical field. The images generated by the system may either be analyzed in real time, for example by a user or an algorithm, and / or an artificial intelligence module, or analyzed later and / or in a location other than that in which the system 10 is located.

[0096] The system 10 may be a medical system, an ultrasound system, or even a medical ultrasound system. Accordingly, the device 20 may be a (or at least partially part of a) medical and / or ultrasound probe.

[0097] For example, the system 10 can be associated with an ultrasound probe 20, in order to study a medium M ([Fig.l]), in particular to collect ultrasound data from such a medium M. The medium M thus observed can be of various natures depending on the case. It can be for example gravel, metals, tissues of living beings, in particular human tissues or animal tissues. The observation of a medium M comprising one or more mineral structures for example is also possible (gravel, volcano, mapping of a soil, for example seabed, etc.).

[0098] The system 10 may thus be any type of electronic system. For example, the system 10 may be a type of medical system other than an ultrasound imaging system. Accordingly, the transducer device 20 may be any type of imaging device or sensor, using waves other than ultrasound waves (for example, waves having a wavelength different from the wavelength of ultrasound and / or waves that are not sound waves).

[0099] According to other examples, the system 10 and / or the transducer device 20 are configured for communication, imaging or scanning purposes, for example in the field of medical imaging, radar, sonar, seismology, wireless communications, radio astronomy, acoustics and biomedicine.

[0100] Examples of medical imaging systems include an ultrasound imaging system, an X-ray imaging system (e.g., a system for performing mammograms), and an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system.

[0101] [Fig.2] schematically represents non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the system 10 as previously described with reference to [Fig.1], namely an ultrasound imaging system in the examples considered.

[0102] The ultrasound imaging system 10 as shown in [Fig.2] may comprise:

[0103] - an ultrasound probe 20 (corresponding for example to the transducer device 20 beyond [Fig.l]),

[0104] - a processing unit 30 configured to process or generate an image on the basis SGI signals received by the probe 20 (this unit 30 corresponding for example to the processing unit 11 of [Fig.l]),

[0105] - a control panel 40 associated, linked or connected to the processing unit 30, said control panel may comprise at least one of buttons 41 and a touch pad 42, and

[0106] - one or more screens 50 configured to display the image(s) generated by processing unit 30.

[0107] The probe 20 can be connected to the processing unit 30 by any suitable connection means such as a cable 21 or a wireless connection. The probe 20 is further capable of emitting ultrasonic waves W into a medium M, and possibly also of receiving ultrasonic waves W from the medium M, said received ultrasonic waves then being able to be consequent or resulting from reflections of said emitted ultrasonic waves on scattering particles inside said medium.

[0108] The probe 20 may be (or comprise) a transducer array comprising a plurality of transducers (not shown), each converting an electrical signal SGI into a vibration and vice versa. A transducer (also called a transducer element) is for example a piezoelectric element 22 as shown in [Fig.l]. The transducer array may for example comprise 128, 256 transducers or more. The transducer array may be linear or curved and may be arranged on an outer surface of the medium M so as to be coupled to the medium and to vibrate and to emit or receive ultrasonic waves W.

[0109] The processing unit 30 may comprise receiving devices (not shown), comprising (or being) for example receiving circuits, configured to process (for example amplify and / or filter) the SGI signals received from the probe 20. These receiving devices may for example comprise converters to transform the received signals into data representing the signal (for example analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to transform a voltage into a digital code). The data obtained may be processed in various ways; in particular, they may be temporarily stored in a memory accessible to the processing unit or processed directly to calculate intermediate processed data (beamformed data).The processing unit 30 may implement any known processing method for generating and / or processing one or more images or maps or data based on the signals received from the probe, such as beamforming.

[0110] The processed data can be associated with an ultrasound image of different types, which can be:

[0111] - a middle B-mode image (B-mode image) usually displayed in levels gray to visualize the organs inside the environment, and / or

[0112] - a so-called Doppler image, showing the movements of fluids in the medium observed, for example the speed of movement and / or the flow of fluids in the medium (image often using color codes), for example useful for visualizing blood vessels and their activities in the medium, or

[0113] - an image showing a mechanical characteristic of the medium (elasticity), for useful example to identify areas of different hardness that may be revealed be tumors present within the medium (e.g., ShearWave™ Elastography image data).

[0114] The display screen 50 (for example mounted on a support arm 51) may be a screen for viewing the image processed by the processing unit 30 and / or may display various information depending on the use case, in particular help information or contextual gestural help adapted or adaptable by means of the touchpad 42.

[0115] The control panel 40a constitutes all or part of a user interface usable by a user to interact (command, receive information, etc.) with the system 10.

[0116] A first example of embodiment of the system 10, hereinafter denoted 90, is now described with reference to [Fig. 3]. This system 90 does not implement the concept of the present disclosure.

[0117] More specifically, the control system 90 comprises at least one pulser 101 configured to control a transducer 22 of the wave emitting device 20. For this purpose, the pulser 101 is configured to generate and send output signals SGI to the transducer 22. Thus, these electrical signals SGI are emitted from the output OUT1 of the pulser to the input IN2 of the emitting device 20, causing the emission of ultrasonic waves W1 by the transducer 22 in the direction of the medium M, as already described. Although the system 10 may comprise a plurality of pulsers 101, it is considered for the sake of simplification of the description that a single pulser 101 is implemented in this example.

[0118] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the control unit 12 comprises voltage regulators 102a and 102b connected respectively to the positive SHV+ and negative SHV- power supply terminals of the pulser 101. In a known manner, these regulators 102a and 102b (also called PSU for “Power Supply Unit” in English) are configured to deliver a static voltage (or constant voltage) to the SHV+ / SHV- power supply terminals of the pulser 101. These regulators can be programmable to set a supply voltage for a given operating mode or probe 20. These regulators 102a, 102b thus provide power to the pulser 101 which is fixed over time. In practice, such voltage regulators can be implemented for example in a power supply card of the control unit 12.

[0119] The arrangement of the system 90 of [Fig. 3] however presents the problems and deficiencies as previously described (failures, lack of reliability, unsatisfactory performance, etc.), in particular due to poor control of the SGI output signals emitted by the pulser 101 to the transmitter device 20.

[0120] Exemplary embodiments of the control system 10 ([Fig.l]), hereinafter denoted 100, which implement the concept of the present disclosure, will now be described below with reference to figures 4-15. Unless otherwise indicated, the elements described above with reference to the control system 10 applies analogously to the control system 100. As already indicated, it is assumed in the following that the system 100 is an ultrasound imaging system although other implementations are possible. For the sake of simplification of the presentation, certain elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 are not described again in detail below.

[0121] According to one example, the control system 100 is positioned at the rear of the probe connectors, for example behind the connectors 32 shown in [Fig.2]. According to one example, the control system 100 is positioned at the interface between the cable 21 and the probe 20, or in the probe 20 itself.

[0122] More specifically, [Fig.4] schematically represents according to an example the control system (or command system) 100 comprising a control unit 12 configured to control a transmitter device 20, namely an ultrasonic transducer device in the examples which follow. The control system 100 and the transducer device 20 together form a system denoted SY1.

[0123] As already indicated, the control unit 12 comprises one or more pulsers 101 configured to drive the transducer device 20 by means of electrical signals SGI. The electrical signals SGI generated by the one or more pulsers 101 are sent to the transducer device 20 to cause the emission of ultrasonic waves W1 in the medium M. The electrical signals SGI thus generated by the pulser 101 are representative of the ultrasonic waves W1 sent to excite the medium M.

[0124] The transducer device 20 may comprise one or more ultrasonic transducers 22 (for example of the piezoelectric type), each transducer being driven by the SGI signals from a respective pulser 101 of the system 100.

[0125] As illustrated in [Fig.4], each pulser 101 can use an electrical connection to exchange electrical signals SGI with the transducer device 20, in transmission and possibly also in reception. By way of example, the system 100 can comprise 256 pulsers 101 configured to drive respective transducers 22 of the transducer device 20.

[0126] The electrical connections used to transmit the output signals SGI to the transducer device 20 may be (or comprise) electrically conductive physical connections (or connections) whose arrangement may vary depending on the case. Each LN connection may be formed for example in whole or in part by at least one electrical track, for example one or more electrical tracks formed on an electronic card (for example the control card 32 illustrated in [Fig.2]). Each connection may optionally comprise at least a portion of a cable or an electrical cable (for example of the coaxial type), such as the cable 21 illustrated in [Fig.2]. According to one example, such an electrical connection may comprise at least a portion of an electrical track, and possibly also at least a portion of an electrical cable.

[0127] Unless otherwise indicated, it is considered in the following for the sake of simplification of the disclosure that the control system 100 uses a single pulser 101 to control a transducer 22 of the transducer device 20, although variants are possible where a plurality of pulsers 101 are used to control one or more transducers 22 of the device 20. The embodiments of the present disclosure apply analogously to the control of one or more transducers 22 by a plurality of pulsers 101.

[0128] According to one example, the control unit 12 is further capable of receiving electrical signals SGI from the transducer device 20 following excitation induced by the emitted waves W1. These SGI signals are representative of waves W2 ([Fig.l]) received by the transducer device 20 from the medium M. These waves W2 form for example an ultrasonic echo, that is to say a response of the medium M to the ultrasonic waves W1.

[0129] The pulser 101 (and more generally the control unit 12) is controlled by the processing unit 11. The latter can in particular control the pulser 101 to generate appropriate output signals SGI according to the application considered. As illustrated in [Fig.l], the processing unit 11 can comprise at least one processor and a non-volatile memory 13. The control system 10 is thus configured to implement a control method for controlling the transducer device 20 as described below in particular embodiments. For this purpose, the system 10 can comprise a computer program PG1 stored in the non-volatile memory 13, this computer program PG1 comprising all or part of the instructions for implementing said method. The processor is configured to execute in particular the instructions defined by the computer program PG1.

[0130] The non-volatile memory 13 ([Fig.l]) may correspond to any storage device (removable and / or non-removable) such as that described above with reference to the system 10. The control device 60 may also comprise at least one computer-readable medium as previously described with reference to the system 10 (for example computer storage media and / or communication media).

[0131] Similarly to system 90 ([Fig.3]), the control system 100 shown in [Fig.4] comprises voltage regulators 102a and 102b configured to electrically power the pulser 101 at its power supply terminals, namely its positive power supply terminals SHV+ and SHV- respectively. To do this, the regulators 102a and 102b (also called PSU) deliver a static voltage or constant voltage (also called power supply rail) to power the pulser 101 at its power supply terminals.

[0132] The control system 100 ([Fig.4]) differs however from the system 90 ([Fig.3]) in that it further comprises at least one controller 120, also called block (or unit) of modulation, configured to modulate the SGI output signals emitted from the pulser 101 to control the transducer 22. In other words, the controller(s) 120 are arranged in the system 100 (namely in the control unit 12 and / or in the transducer device 20 in the examples considered) to carry out a modulation F1 of the SGI output signals generated at output OUT1 of the pulser 101 and sent to input IN2 of the transducer 22.

[0133] The number of controllers 120 and their implementation can be adapted as appropriate. Whatever the form of the controller 120 considered, its function is to modulate (or control over time) the SGI output signals sent by the pulser 101 to the transducer device 20. The system 100 can thus include a single controller 120 or a plurality of controllers 120 to perform the FL modulation.

[0134] In the present disclosure, the notion of modulation covers all modifications over time of at least one characteristic of a signal, such as its power, its voltage, its current, its frequency spectrum, its rise time and / or fall time, etc.

[0135] Examples of implementation of the controller(s) 120 are now described below with reference to [Fig. 4]. In particular, the system 100 may comprise any one, or a plurality, of the following controllers 120 ([Fig. 4]): - a power supply controller 122a and / or 122b; - an output controller 124; and - a return controller 126.

[0136] According to one example, the control system 100 comprises the power supply controllers 122a and / or 122b.

[0137] According to one example, the control system 100 comprises the output controller 124.

[0138] According to one example, the control system 100 comprises the feedback controller 126.

[0139] According to one example, the control system 100 comprises the controllers supply 122a and / or 122b, the output controller 124 and the return controller 126.

[0140] More particularly, according to one example, the controller 120 comprises one (or at least one) power supply controller, 122a and / or 122b, connected to a power supply terminal of the pulser, namely to the positive power supply terminal SHV+ and / or negative power supply terminal SHV- in the present case ([Fig.4]). The system 100 can thus comprise only the positive power supply controller 122a, or only the negative power supply controller 122b, or both. The power supply controllers 122a and 122b are configured to respectively control over time (or modulate) a power supply voltage V+ and V- of the pulser 101.

[0141] The installation of a power supply controller 122a / 122b advantageously involves an implementation of limited complexity, and therefore easy implementation, to modulate the output signals, in particular because the power supply controller is referenced to a fixed positive or negative voltage (that delivered by the regulators 102a / 102b), and not to a bipolar variable voltage as is the case for the output controller 124 for example which receives the voltage delivered at the output by the pulser 101.

[0142] By their position at the power supply terminals of the pulser 101, the power supply controllers 122a and 122b are particularly effective in controlling the signals delivered by the regulators 102a and 102b, respectively. This makes it possible in particular to protect the regulators 102a and 102b, for example in the event of a short circuit or overcurrent downstream of the power supply controllers 122a and 122b.

[0143] It is possible to use only one of the two power supply controllers, namely either 122a or 122b, for example if it is desired to control the symmetry of the output signal SGI of the pulser 101. For example, the positive (or negative, respectively) part of the output signal SGI can be modulated as a function of what has been previously generated by the negative (or positive, respectively) part of said signal. Thus, for example, it is possible to obtain an output signal SGI generated by a negative (or positive) sub-circuit of the pulser 101 during a first period, then adapt the output signal SGI during a second period (subsequent to the first period) to make it symmetrical and / or compensate (or adapt) certain signal characteristics obtained during the first period.

[0144] According to one example, the pulser 101 comprises a ground terminal GND1 which is considered as a power supply terminal and which can be connected to a power supply controller similar to the controllers 122a and 122b to control over time a supply voltage at this ground terminal.

[0145] Generally, a power supply controller within the meaning of the present disclosure can therefore be connected to any one, or a plurality, of: the positive power supply terminal SHV+, the negative power supply terminal SHV- and the ground terminal GND1 of the pulser 101.

[0146] According to an example, the power supply controller 122a connected to the SHV+ power supply terminal is configured to modulate a power delivered to the pulser 101 on its SHV+ power supply terminal from a static voltage delivered by the voltage regulator 102a. Similarly, according to an example, the power supply controller 122b connected to the SHV- power supply terminal is configured to modulate a power delivered to the pulser 101 on its SHV- power supply terminal from a static voltage delivered by the voltage regulator 102b.

[0147] As already indicated with reference to system 90 ([Fig.3]), regulators 102a and 102b of system 100 ([Fig.4]) may be programmed or configured to deliver a static (or constant) voltage over time, this voltage being for example fixed according to the operating mode or the probe 20 used. In this example, the power supply controllers 122a and / or 122b, supplied with voltage by the regulators 102a and / or 102b respectively, are configured to modify over time the power delivered to the pulser 101.

[0148] According to one example, the controller 120 comprises (or is) an output controller 124 connected to the output of the pulser 101, i.e. to the output terminal OUT1 intended to output the output signals SGI to drive the transducer 22 of the transducer device 20. The output controller 124 is then configured to control in time (or modulate) the output signals SGI sent to the transducer device 20 to generate the ultrasonic waves W1 towards the medium M.

[0149] The installation of an output controller 124 advantageously makes it possible to limit the output current and / or the output voltage of the pulser 101, in particular so as not to stress or damage the pulser 101 and / or the transducer 22, insofar as the pulser 101 controls the transducer 22. The output controller 124 being positioned between the pulser 101 and the transducer 22, and therefore as close as possible to the transducer 22, it is in particular capable of effectively controlling the SGI output signals emitted by the pulser 101 and sent to the transducer 22.

[0150] According to one example, the output controller 124 is configured to modulate at least one of the electrical characteristics of the SGI output signals of the pulser 101 among the voltage (V), the current (I) and the power (P) of said SGI output signals.

[0151] According to an example, the controller 120 comprises a (or is a) return controller 126 connected to a return terminal OUT2 of the transducer 22 of the device 20. The return controller 126 is then configured to control in time (or modulate) return signals SG2 of the transducer 22.

[0152] More precisely, each transducer 22 of the transducer device 20 can for example form an electrical dipole comprising an input terminal IN2 for receiving the output signals SGI from a pulser 101 and a return terminal (or output terminal) OUT2 connected to a reference ground (also called “return path” in English). This return terminal OUT2 of the transducer 22 can for example be connected in series to a ground of the transducer device 20 or to any other reference ground of the control system 100 (or more generally of the system SY1), or even connected in series to another electrical component (for example another pulser) of the control system 100.

[0153] By installing a return controller 126 connected in series to the return terminal OUT2 and to the reference ground, it is thus possible to modulate the power of the output signals SGI emitted from the pulser 101 to control the transducer 22.

[0154] The installation of the return controller 126 advantageously involves an implementation of limited complexity, and therefore of easy implementation, to modulate the signals at the output of the transducer 22, and therefore consequently the SGI output signals of the pulser 101. Since the feedback controller 126 is connected in series with the return terminal OUT2, and therefore close to the transducer 22, the feedback controller 126 is particularly effective in controlling the signals at the output of the transducer 22 and therefore in protecting the transducer 22.

[0155] The system 100 may comprise a single one of the controllers 122-126 or any combination of these controllers 120 (for example, the controllers 122a, 122b and 124). For the sake of simplification of the description, it is assumed hereinafter that the system SY1 comprises controllers 120, for example, the controllers 122a, 122b, 124 and 126 as previously described, for power modulating the output signals SGI of the pulser 101 intended to drive the transducer 22.

[0156] It is possible to use only one controller from among the controllers 122a, 122b, 124 and 126 previously described. The power supply controllers 122a, 122b advantageously make it possible to limit the current and / or the supply voltage of the pulser, in particular so as not to stress / damage in particular the pulser 101. The output controller 124 and / or the return controller 126 advantageously make it possible to limit the current and / or the voltage applied to the transducer 22, in particular so as not to stress / damage in particular the transducer 22.

[0157] Various implementations of these controllers 120 are possible to enable FL modulation. For example, the controller(s) 120 may be implemented in the form of one or more discrete and / or integrated components, for example an integrated circuit. The use of discrete components in particular enables robust and dense assembly, for example in an electronic card.

[0158] According to one example, the controllers 120 take the form of an integrated circuit, for example of the FPGA type (“Field-programmable gate array” in English).

[0159] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates an example of implementation of a controller 120 within the meaning of the present disclosure. As shown, the controller 120 takes in this example the form of a MOSFET transistor (insulated gate field effect transistor) whose gate voltage is modulated over time, for example by means of a control unit comprising a DAC (digital to analog) converter denoted 132.

[0160] To do this, the converter 132 is configured to send commands to the gate G of the MOSFET. In the case of a power supply controller 122a / 122b, one of the drain (D) and source (S) terminals can be connected to the regulator 102a / 102b respectively and the other to the corresponding power supply terminal SHV+ / SHV- of the pulser 101. Similarly, in the case of the output controller 124, one of the drain (D) and source (S) terminals can be connected to the output terminal OUT1 of the pulser 101 and the other in series with the input IN2 of the transducer 22.

[0161] The example of [Fig.5] advantageously makes it possible to implement the controllers 120 with a limited level of complexity and a low implementation cost. It is thus possible to facilitate the development (design), implementation and maintenance of the wave emitting device. However, more complex implementations are possible.

[0162] A control method implemented by the control system 100 as previously described (figures 4-5) is now described in conjunction with figures 6-9 according to particular embodiments. For this purpose, the control system 100 (or more generally the system S Y1) can execute the computer program PG1. The system 100 can execute instructions of at least one computer program, including for example the program PG1.

[0163] During a modulation step S2, the output signals SGI of the pulser 101 are modulated by one (or at least one) controller 120. This modulation - denoted Fl - can be carried out by a controller 120 according to at least one of: a) a control (S2a) of a supply voltage (V+ and / or V-) of the pulser 101 by a power supply controller 122a and / or 122b connected to a supply terminal IHV+ and / or IHV- of the pulser 101; b) a control (S2b) of output signals SGI by an output controller 124 connected to output OUT1 of the pulser 101; and c) a control (S2c) of return signals SG2 of the transducer 22 by a return controller 126 connected to a return terminal OUT2 of the transducer 22.

[0164] In other words, the modulation F1 is carried out by means of any one, or several, of the controllers 120 previously described. This modulation F1 allows control over time of the output signals SGI emitted from the pulser 101 to drive the transducer 22. In particular, the power and / or the shape of the signals SGI sent to the input IN2 of the transducer 22 can be adapted or modified over time.

[0165] According to one example, the shape and / or amplitude of the voltage transmitted to the transducer 22 are modulated (or adapted). Consequently, for a given impedance of the transducer 22 (or more generally of the probe), the current and power transmitted are consequently modified.

[0166] The modulation F1 advantageously makes it possible to improve the control of the transducer device 20 and therefore the performance and reliability of the system SY1 as a whole. The modulation F1 makes it possible in particular to efficiently and flexibly control the output signals SGI sent to the transducer 22 and thus to ensure that the theoretical limit values ​​of the parameters (in particular current, voltage and / or power) of the transducer 22, and more generally of the transmission chain from the pulser 101 to the transducer 22, are respected. By controlling the control of the transducer 22 more precisely, it is possible to avoid excessively stressing the system, limit failures (breakdowns, degradations, etc.), ensure good reliability of the system and guarantee that the system presents satisfactory performance.

[0167] Thanks to the F1 modulation, it is in particular possible to adapt the waves sent with more flexibility (in power, frequency, duration, etc.) without damaging the pulser 101 or the transducer 22, which makes it possible to overcome certain compromises or limitations (in particular in terms of power) with which it is usually necessary to deal with this type of device to guarantee good performance and normal aging of the assembly. Unlike conventional systems, it is possible thanks to the concept of the present disclosure to configure the transducer device 22 so as to emit the desired waves, that is to say conforming to the desired wave characteristics according to the intended application.

[0168] With a limited modification of the assembly, and therefore a low additional cost, it is thus advantageous to obtain a transducer device 22 having high level capabilities.

[0169] By improving the control of the transducer 22, it is possible, for example, to improve the image quality, such as, for example, the quality of an ultrasound image, in an ultrasound imaging application, for example in the medical field. Thanks to the method of the present disclosure, it is in particular possible to obtain good image quality.

[0170] Various implementations of the Fl modulation of the SGI output signals are possible. As illustrated in [Fig.6], the Fl modulation is for example configured to control (or adapt) the waveform of the SGI output signals. The Fl modulation is for example configured to cause a modification of the waveform of the SGI output signals with respect to the waveform generated intrinsically at the output of the pulser 101 (i.e. without Fl modulation). It is thus possible to adapt the waveform of the SGI signals (and therefore of the W1 waves) for a given pulser 101, and thus make the control of the transducer 22 more flexible because it is less dependent on the type of pulser 101 used. In particular, the shape of the SGI signals can be adapted to the constraints and specificities of the different imaging modes likely to be used (for example B-mode, Doppler mode, ShearWave™ Elastography, etc.).

[0171] For example, the modulation Fl can cause the generation, at the output of the pulser 101, of output signals SGI of sinusoidal shape (signal SGla, [Fig.6]), of square shape, of intermediate or hybrid shape (signal SGld, [Fig.7]), or of any other appropriate shape depending on the use case. Alternatively, the modulation Fl can cause the deactivation of the pulser 101 which amounts to generating a zero output signal SGI (signal SGlc, [Fig.6]).

[0172] More specifically, as illustrated in [Fig.7], it is assumed for example that the pulser 101 is of the “pulsed” type, namely a pulser intrinsically configured to generate square-shaped SGI output signals. According to one example, the modulation F1 performed by means of the controller(s) 120 causes the waveform to be modified from the intrinsic square shape into a modified waveform (or modulated waveform), namely a sinusoidal waveform or an intermediate (or hybrid) shape SGld between the square shape and the sinusoidal shape. By bringing the waveform closer to the sinusoidal shape, it is advantageous to limit the harmonics present in the SGI signals transmitted to the transducer 22, which advantageously makes it possible to limit heat dissipation and electromagnetic radiation, to improve the energy efficiency of the system and to extend the lifetime of the system.

[0173] According to a particular example, the modulation Fl is configured to control (or adapt) the power of the output signals SGI emitted from the pulser 101 to drive the transducer 22.

[0174] According to one example, the modulation F1 is carried out at a modulation frequency Fm greater than or equal to a firing frequency Ft at which the transducer 22 emits waves W1 in response to the output signals SGI of the pulser 22. The modulation frequency Fm may for example be of the order of the firing frequency Ft.

[0175] For example, the firing frequency Ft is between 100 kHz and 20 MHz (or even between 1 MHz and 20 MHz for the emission of acoustic waves W1, for example in medical imaging applications). In this case, the modulation frequency Fm may be such that Fm >100 kHz (where 100 kHz is the lower limit of the firing frequency).

[0176] According to one example, the modulation Fl is carried out at a modulation frequency Fm greater than or equal to a fraction 1 / P of the firing frequency Ft, where P is an integer equal to 10 for example. The modulation frequency Fm may according to certain examples be lower than the firing frequency Ft. In a case for example where a firing sequence of a few periods of a square signal is carried out, this sequence can advantageously be modulated according to a Gaussian envelope (low amplitude at the start of the firing, maximum in the middle and low again at the end). In this case, the frequency Fm is lower than the firing frequency Ft, but must be higher than the maximum frequency of variation of the supply voltage delivered by the regulators 102a and 102b.

[0177] According to one example, the output signals SGI are modulated in a frequency band denoted Bm. The transducer 22 (or more generally the transducer device 20) is characterized by a bandwidth in which it is capable of converting output signals SGI into ultrasonic waves Wl. The band frequency Bm is then configured so that its intersection with said bandwidth is non-zero.

[0178] The control system 100, and more generally the system SY1, can for example be implemented in medical imaging applications, in particular applied to living beings (humans and / or animals).

[0179] According to one example, the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI is carried out continuously, or discretely, over time.

[0180] As illustrated in [Fig.8] according to an example, the modulation Fl carried out by means of the controller(s) 120 may comprise a switch 135a between two modes, namely: - a first mode MD1 causing the pulser 101 to emit SGI output signals (denoted SG1-1) according to a first waveform and / or power configuration; and - a second MD2 mode causing the pulser 101 to emit SGI output signals (denoted SG1-2) according to a second waveform and / or power configuration, different from the first configuration.

[0181] By adapting the modulations carried out in the MD1 and MD2 modes, it is thus possible to flexibly control the control of the transducer 22 and therefore ensure good performance and good reliability of the system. For example, the controller(s) 120 can be configured so that: - in the first mode MD1, no modulation Fl is carried out (deactivation of the controller(s) 120); the output signals SG1-1 are the signals generated intrinsically by the pulser 101 in the absence of modulation; and - in the second mode MD2, a modulation Fl is carried out (activation of the controller(s) 120) so that the output signals SG 1-2 thus modulated are different from those emitted in the first mode MD1.

[0182] According to one example, in the second mode MD2, the output signals SG 1-2 are restricted, i.e. limited in power relative to the intrinsic output signals, so that the transducer 22 operates in degraded mode (emission of waves W1 less powerful than in MD1 mode without modulation).

[0183] It is thus possible to configure the controller(s) 120 to perform a switchover 135a from the MD1 mode to the MD2 mode and / or to perform a switchover 135b from the MD2 mode to the MD1 mode ([Fig.8]). To this end, it is possible, for example, to control, by means of the converter 132, the gate voltage on the gate G of the MOSFET 130 used as controller 120 (for example 120a / 120b, 122 and / or 124) so ​​as to perform the desired switchover(s) between MD1 and MD2.

[0184] For example, it is possible to configure the controller(s) 120 to alternate between the MD1 and MD2 modes ([Fig.8]). The durations during which the MD1 and MD2 modes are effective can be set to be equal or different.

[0185] According to one example, the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI is carried out as a function of an imaging mode implemented by the pulser 101 to control the transmitter device 20.

[0186] According to one example, the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI is carried out as a function of a type of the transmitter device 20.

[0187] According to one example, the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI is carried out as a function of user parameters of the transmitter device 20 (for example via software control which may possibly implement artificial intelligence).

[0188] According to one example, the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI is carried out as a function of at least any one of the aforementioned criteria, namely an imaging mode implemented by the pulser 101, a type of the transmitter device 20 and user parameters of the transmitter device 20.

[0189] As indicated above, the concept of the present disclosure can be applied analogously to a plurality of pulsers 101 of the control system 100. Thus, according to an example schematically illustrated in [Fig.9], the transducer device 20 comprises a plurality of transducers 22 each driven by a respective pulser 101. In this case, the modulation F1 of the output signals SGI is carried out independently by CN channel between each transducer 22 and the respective pulser 101. To do this, the modulation F1 is carried out on the output signals SGI of each pulser 101 by one (or at least one) controller 120 as previously described for a given pulser 101.

[0190] More precisely, each transducer 22 can be driven by a respective pulser 101 through a transmission chain allowing the transmission of output signals (or electrical signals) SGI from the pulser 101 to the transducer 22. Each of these transmission chains constitutes a channel CN ​​([Fig.9]) through which a pulser 101 can drive a respective transducer 22 of the transducer device 20 and thus control the waves W1 emitted by said transducer in the medium M. As illustrated by way of example in [Fig.9], n pulsers denoted 101-1 to 101-n can thus be configured to drive respective transducers 22-1 to 22-n through respective channels CN1 to CNn (n being an integer greater than or equal to 2). It is thus possible to carry out a modulation Fl per channel and therefore to independently adapt the output signals SGI transmitted to each transducer 22.

[0191] This Fl modulation per channel advantageously makes it possible to control the transducer device 20 in an even more precise and flexible manner. This advantageously makes it possible in particular to adapt the SGI output signals delivered to each transducer 22, independently of the other transducers 22. For example, in the context of a calibration of the control system 100 or of the SY1 system, the power transmitted to each transducer 22 can be optimized. If the same modulation impacts several channels / transducers at the same time, the calibration must take into account the variations in characteristics of all the transducers of the group concerned and a compromise must then be found to respect the limits and specificities of each transducer. Modulation by channel advantageously makes it possible to refine the calibration or configuration of each transducer separately.

[0192] Note that it is possible to carry out such modulation F1 in all the channels (or transmission chains) of the system SY1 or only in a sub-part of them, depending on the desired effect. It is thus possible to configure the different transducers 22 of the system flexibly, for example by modulating the output signals SGI delivered to at least one transducer 22 while the output signals SGI delivered to at least one other transducer 22 are not modulated.

[0193] According to one example, it is for example possible to configure the modulation Fl per channel to drive the transducers 22 of the transducer device 20 according to a so-called apodization function.

[0194] Conventionally, such an apodization function can be achieved by varying the amplitude of the output signals SGI transmitted to the transducers 22 as a function of the position of the transducers relative to a focal point (a focusing zone) in the medium M, which makes it possible to adapt the energy delivered in the medium E and in particular to better focus this energy at a point (or region) of interest in the medium M. Conventionally, with on-off / square pulsers, this amplitude variation is achieved by modifying the duty cycle of the pulser output signal (ratio between the time spent in the "high" state (V+ or V-) and the period of the signal). Thus, the effective value of the power transmitted to the transducer is effectively modified. However, modifying the duty cycle also modifies the spectral content of the transmitted signal, which limits the quality of the apodization, which only impacts the amplitude of the signal and not its spectrum.

[0195] According to one example, the modulation Fl is configured to modify the amplitude of the transmitted SGI signals as a function of the position of the transducer 22, while maintaining the same duty cycle between all the channels, which makes it possible to maintain the same spectral content for each transducer 22. The effect of the apodization is therefore better, in particular on the image quality in the case of an imaging application, since the theoretical principle of the apodization is better respected.

[0196] According to an example of the present disclosure, the system 100 may be configured to perform per-channel Fl modulation on a plurality of transducers 22 of the emitting device 20, so that the further a transducer 22 of the device 20 is from a focal point of interest in the medium M, the lower the voltage of the output signal SGI sent to this transducer 22 (same waveform but with decreasing voltage). By controlling the modulation Fl per channel, it is advantageous to control the transducers 22 to emit waves according to an apodization function, and this with more precision and flexibility. For example, the modulation Fl can be configured so that at least one transducer 22 is voltage-clamped (or even deactivated) to limit the energy delivered by this transducer in the medium M. It is thus possible to adapt the control of the transducers 22 and effectively avoid problems of poor focusing of the waves W1 and unwanted echoes W2.

[0197] In the control method described above with reference in particular to [Fig. 6], the modulation F1 of the output signals SGI of the pulser 101 can be carried out in various ways, for example in a deterministic or arbitrary manner, for example by predefining the way in which the signals SGI must be modulated (without taking into account the actual performance of the system) or by adapting the modulation F1 as a function of the behavior or characteristics of the control system 100, or even of the system SY1 as a whole. In the following exemplary embodiments, the modulation F1 of the output signals SGI is adapted as a function of the behavior of the transmission chain extending from the pulser 101 to the transducer 22.

[0198] Exemplary embodiments of the control system 100 (Figures 4-9), hereinafter referred to as 200, which implement the concept of the present disclosure, will now be described below with reference to Figures 10-15. Unless otherwise indicated, the elements described above with reference to the control system 10 apply analogously to the control system 100. As already indicated, it is assumed in the following that the system 200 is an ultrasound imaging system although other implementations are possible. For the sake of simplification of the description, certain elements described above with reference to Figures 1-9 are not described again in detail below.

[0199] Unless otherwise indicated, it is considered in the following for the sake of simplification of the disclosure that the control system 200 uses a single pulser 101 to control a transducer 22 of the transducer device 20, although variants are possible where a plurality of pulsers 101 are used to control one or more transducers 22 of the device 20. The embodiments of the present disclosure apply analogously to the control of one or more transducers 22 by a plurality of pulsers 101.

[0200] More precisely, [Fig. 10] schematically represents according to an example the piloting system (or control system) 200 comprising the control unit 12 configured to pilot the transducer device 20, namely a device with ultrasound in this example. The control system 200 and the transducer device 20 together form a system denoted SY2.

[0201] The control system 200 ([Fig. 10]) differs mainly from the system 100 ([Fig.4]) in that the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI emitted by the pulser 101 is adapted according to the behavior of a transmission chain 202 extending from the pulser 101 to the transducer 22. To do this, the control system 200 comprises a control unit 140 configured to measure at least one operating parameter PR1 of the transmission chain 202 through which the pulser 101 sends the output signals SGI to the transducer 22. The control unit 140 is further configured to control the controller(s) 122 included in the control system 200, or more generally in the system SY2, according to the parameter(s) PR1 measured. The control unit 140 is for example configured to send commands CMD1 to the controllers 120 to control the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI over time. It is thus possible to improve the control of the transducer 22 by adjusting the modulation Fl to the behavior of the system.

[0202] The transmission chain 202 comprises a set of hardware components, of the SY2 system, extending from the pulser 101 to the transducer 22 and which may comprise at least one intermediate or other component participating in the transmission of the electrical signals SGI from the pulser 101 to control the transducer 22. This transmission chain 202 comprises in particular the pulser 101 and the transducer 22, or even other components such as an electrical connection connecting the pulser 101 to the transducer 22.

[0203] This transmission chain 202 can be characterized by one or more operating parameters PR1, the number and nature of which can vary depending on the use case.

[0204] The control unit 140 may in particular comprise, or use, any appropriate means for measuring the operating parameter(s) PR1 of the transmission chain 202. Examples of implementation of these measuring means are described later with reference in particular to FIGS. 11-15.

[0205] According to one example, the operating parameter(s) PR1 measured by the control unit 140 characterizes at least one of a state of the pulser and a state of the transducer 22 (or more generally of the transducer device 20).

[0206] The measured operating parameter(s) PR1 may comprise at least one electrical parameter (voltage, current or power for example) and / or at least one physical parameter such as a temperature, an electric field, a magnetic field or an acoustic pressure.

[0207] According to one example, the operating parameter(s) PR1 measured by the control unit 140 comprise at least one of: - a voltage V2 at the output of the pulser 101; - a supply voltage (HV- and / or HV+) of the pulser 101; - a ground voltage of the pulser 101; - a voltage V3 at the terminals of the transmitter device 20; - a voltage received from the transducer 22; - a current 12 at the output of the pulser 101; - a supply current (IHV+, IHV-) of the pulser 101; - a ground current IGND of the pulser 101; - a current 13 flowing in the emitting device 20; - a temperature of the blower 101; - a temperature of the emitting device 20; - an electric field emitted by the pulser 101; - an electric field emitted by the emitting device 20; - a magnetic field emitted by the pulser 101; - a magnetic field emitted by the emitting device 20; - an acoustic pressure emitted by the emitting device 20; and - an acoustic pressure received by the emitting device 20.

[0208] The measured operating parameter(s) PR1 may correspond to any one of the aforementioned parameters or to any combination of at least two of these parameters.

[0209] The reception voltage mentioned above designates the voltage of a response signal, called the “echo” signal, generated by the transducer 22 in response to the waves W2 ([Fig.l]) received from the medium M, for example in response to the waves W1 (stimuli) emitted by the transducer device 20.

[0210] A control method implemented by the control system 200 as previously described ([Fig. 10]) is now described in conjunction with [Fig. 1 1] according to particular embodiments. For this purpose, the control system 200 (or more generally the system SY2) can execute the computer program PG1. The system 100 can execute instructions of at least one computer program, including for example the program PG1 and / or a program (not shown) implemented by the control unit 140.

[0211] According to one example, the control unit 140 operates in response to instructions from the processing unit 11 ([Fig.10]).

[0212] During a measurement step S4 ([Fig. 11]), the control unit 140 measures one or more operating parameters PR1 of the transmission chain 202 through which the pulser 101 sends the output signals SGI to the transducer 22. It is subsequently assumed that a plurality of parameters PR1 are measured although variants are possible where a single parameter PR1 is measured.

[0213] During a modulation step S2, the output signals SGI of the pulser 101 are modulated by one (or at least one) controller 120 as already described with reference to [Fig.6]. In particular, as already described, this modulation F1 can be carried out by a controller 120 according to at least one of: a) a control (S2a) of a supply voltage (V+ and / or V-) of the pulser 101 by a power supply controller 122a and / or 122b connected to a supply terminal IHV+ and / or IHV- of the pulser 101; b) a control (S2b) of output signals SGI by an output controller 124 connected to output OUT1 of the pulser 101; and c) a control (S2c) of return signals SG2 of the transducer 22 by a return controller 126 connected to a return terminal OUT2 of the transducer 22.

[0214] The control method implemented by the system 200 ([Fig. 10]) differs from that previously described with reference to the system 100 ([Fig.4]) in that the modulation F1 of the output signals SGI is carried out (S2) as a function of the operating parameters PR1 measured in S4. In other words, the modulation F1 carried out in S2 is as a function of the result of the measurements carried out beforehand in S4. It is thus advantageous to adapt the signals SGI emitted by the pulser 101 to control the transducer 22 as a function of the behavior of the transmission chain 202, thus making the control more adaptive and therefore more efficient.

[0215] According to one example, the control unit 140 compares (S4) the operating parameters PR1 with threshold values ​​respectively, for example to determine whether these parameters PR1 exceed said threshold values. The modulation F1 carried out in S2 can then be a function of a result of these comparisons. This comparison can be carried out for one or a plurality of operating parameters PR1 depending on the case considered. It is thus possible to check whether the limits of various components (or parts) of the transmission chain 202 are respected (maximum voltage limit, maximum current limit, maximum temperature limit, etc.).

[0216] According to one example, the control unit 140 controls at least one power supply controller 122a / 122b so that: - the corresponding supply voltage is regulated to a first value during control S2a ([Fig. 11]) if one (at least one) operating parameter PR1 does not exceed a respective threshold value VL1, and - control S2a comprises an adaptation of the supply voltage from the first value to a second value, different from the first value, if the (or said at least one) operating parameter PR1 exceeds said respective threshold value VL1.

[0217] It is thus possible to adapt the supply voltage of the pulser 101, and therefore its output signals SGI sent to the transducer 22, as a function of the level of the voltage at the supply terminals of the pulser 101. If necessary, it is possible, for example, to restrict the power of the pulser 101 by defining a second (non-zero) value lower than the first value (operation of the pulser 101 in degraded or restricted mode). According to one example, the pulser 101 can be deactivated if the threshold value VL1 is reached.

[0218] According to one example, the control unit 140 controls the controllers 120 to converge (or tend) at least one measured operating parameter PR1 towards a reference value (or setpoint), for example to tend a power efficiency of the transmitter device 20 towards a given efficiency setpoint (efficiency between the input power delivered by the regulators 102a / 102b and the output power delivered by the transducer(s).

[0219] According to one example, the modulation F1 of the output signals SGI is carried out (S2, [Fig.l 1]) by controlling at least one of the controls S2a, S2b and S2c as a function of the operating parameter(s) PR1 measured in S4. It is thus possible to dynamically adapt the output signals SGI, for example in real time, so as to carry out reactive and efficient control of the transducer 22.

[0220] According to one example, the measurement S4 ([Fig.l 1]) of the operating parameter(s) PR1 is carried out during a calibration of the transmission chain 202. This calibration 202 can for example be carried out once only (for example at the factory production stage) or repeatedly over time (for example at start-ups or power-ups of the control system 200, or each time a predefined number of uses of the control system 200 is reached or each time a predefined duration of use of the control system 200 is reached).

[0221] The modulation F1 is for example carried out after the aforementioned calibration, for example in response to at least one command CMD1 from the control unit 140. This or these commands CMD1 can for example be determined as a function of the operating parameter(s). These commands CMD1 may or may not be time-controlled as already described. It is thus possible to adapt the modulation F1 of the signals SGI, and therefore to adjust the control of the transducer device 20, as a function of the behavior of the assembly. This makes it possible in particular to adapt the configuration of control systems to compensate for physical or structural disparities between the components between the systems, which makes it possible to ensure better uniformity of performance and reliability between the systems.

[0222] As already indicated, the concept of the present disclosure can be applied analogously to a plurality of pulsers 101 of the control system 200. Thus, according to one example, the transducer device 20 comprises a plurality of transducers 22 each driven by a respective pulser 101. In this case, the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI is carried out independently per channel between each transducer 22 and the respective pulser 101. To do this, the modulation Fl is carried out on the output signals SGI of each pulser 101 by one (or at least one) controller 120 as previously described for a given pulser 101. Each transducer 22 can thus be driven by a respective pulser 101 through a transmission chain 202 allowing the transmission of output signals (or electrical signals) SGI from the pulser 101 to the transducer 22. Each of these transmission chains 202 constitutes a channel through which a pulser 101 can drive a respective transducer 22 of the transducer device 20 and thus control the waves W1 emitted by said transducer in the medium M.It is thus possible to carry out a modulation Fl per channel which is a function of at least one operating parameter PR1 measured during the measurement step S4 ([Fig. 11]), so as to independently adapt the output signals SGI transmitted to each transducer 22.

[0223] According to an example, the control unit 140 measures (S4; [Fig. 11]) at least one operating parameter PR1 of transmission chains 202 through which each translator 22 of the transducer device 20 receives output signals SGI from a respective pulser 101. Upon detection that one (or at least one) operating parameter PR1 of a transmission chain 202 satisfies a predefined criterion (for example exceeding a threshold value VL1), the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI emitted from the pulser 101 of the transmission chain 202, to the transducer 22 of said chain, is adapted accordingly (for example modification of a power configuration and / or waveform according to which the output signals SGI are emitted). This channel-controlled modulation Fl makes it possible to control the transducer device 20 in an even more precise and flexible manner.Individual modulation per channel advantageously makes it possible to compensate for differences or variations in characteristics between channels or transducers, in order to limit disparities in behavior between transducers and thus standardize their performance.

[0224] According to one example, upon detection of a change in a voltage or current in a transmission chain 202 indicating a drop or failure of the transducer 22 of said chain, the control unit 140 controls the controller(s) 120 to reduce or restrict the power of the output signals SGI emitted to drive the transducer 22 of the transmission chain 202. It is thus possible to dynamically reconfigure a transducer 22 exhibiting an anomaly, so that this transducer continues to emit waves W1, but with limited or restricted power, in the direction of the medium M.

[0225] Examples of implementations of the means for measuring the operating parameters PR1 are now described purely for illustrative purposes of the present disclosure.

[0226] [Fig. 12] schematically represents measuring means (or measuring unit) 150 used by the control unit 140 ([Fig.10]) to measure a current I in the system SY2, such as at least one of the aforementioned currents (current I2 at the output of the pulser 101, supply current IHV+ and / or IHV- of the pulser 101, ground current IGND, etc.). As illustrated, these measuring means 150 comprise for example an operational amplifier 154 whose two inputs are connected to the terminals of a resistor 152 through which a current I that it is desired to measure flows. This amplifier 154 generates at output a voltage V representative of the current I flowing in the resistor 152. This voltage V can then be converted for example by an ADC converter noted 156 (analog to digital) so that the control unit 140 can follow the evolution of the current I concerned.

[0227] [Fig. 13] schematically represents an example of embodiment of the measuring means 150 allowing the measurement of a current I in the system SY2.

[0228] [Fig. 14] schematically represents measuring means (or measuring unit) 156 used by the control unit 140 ([Fig. 10]) to measure a voltage Vin in the system SY2, such as at least one of the aforementioned voltages (supply voltage HV- and / or HV+, voltage V2 at the output of the pulser 101, voltage V3 at the terminals of the transmitter device 20, etc.). These measuring means 156 form a divider bridge from two impedances ZI and Z2. From a measurement of the voltage Vout and the impedances ZI and Z2, the voltage Vin can be deduced.

[0229] [Fig. 15] schematically represents measuring means (or measuring unit) 160 used by the control unit 140 ([Fig. 10]) to measure a power, such as the power delivered to at least one of the power supply terminals SHV+ / SHV- or the power of the output signals SGI. As shown, these measuring means 160 comprise a circuit in which voltages VI and V2 are received at the input, in which VI is a voltage acquired in the system SY2 and V2 being an image voltage of a current of the system SY2. This circuit makes it possible to multiply the voltages VI and V2 in order to obtain at the output a voltage Vs representative of a power (where R, Rb, Rc, RI and R2 are resistors and where T1, T2, T3 and T4 are transistors).

[0230] As understood by a person skilled in the art, the measuring means used by the control unit 140 can be adapted on a case-by-case basis, depending in particular on the type of operating parameters PR1 to be measured. For example, a hydrophone can be used to measure an acoustic pressure at the emitting device 20. A Hall effect sensor can be used to measure a magnetic field (or a variation of such a field) in the SY2 system, for example at the pulser 101 or the emitting device 20. An electric field sensor (or probe) can also be used to measure an electric field in the SY2 system.

[0231] According to a particular example, the piloting method implemented by the piloting system 100 or 200 comprises at least any one of: - generation of an alert if said at least one measured operating parameter PR1 (S4, [Fig. 11]) satisfies a predefined criterion; and - an estimate, from said at least one measured operating parameter PR1, of a prediction of aging of the transmitting device 20.

[0232] The above steps can be carried out for example by the control unit 140. In addition to the control or adaptation of the modulation Fl of the output signals SGI (figures 10-11), it is thus possible to use the measurements of the operating parameters PR1 to generate alerts and / or predict the aging of the transmitting device, which makes it possible in particular to improve the user experience and to avoid incorrect use of the system.

[0233] As understood by a person skilled in the art, all the embodiments and variants described above, some of which have been deliberately simplified to facilitate explanations, constitute only non-limiting examples of implementation of the present disclosure. In particular, a person skilled in the art may envisage any adaptation or combination of the embodiments and variants described above, in order to meet a particular need.

[0234] The present disclosure is therefore not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends in particular to a control method which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The same would apply to a control system for implementing such a method.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a transmitting device (20) comprising a transducer (22) for emitting waves, said method comprising: - modulation (S2) of output signals (SGI) emitted from a pulser (101) for controlling the transducer, said transducer comprising an input terminal receiving said output signals and a return terminal connected to a reference ground, said modulation being carried out by a controller according to at least one of: a) a control (S2a) of a supply voltage (V+, V-) of the pulser by a power supply controller (122a, 122b) connected to a supply terminal (SHV+, SHV-, GND1) of the pulser, the power supply controller modulating over time a power delivered to the pulser on said supply terminal from a static voltage delivered by a voltage regulator;and c) a control (S2c) of return signals (SG2) of the transducer (22) by a return controller (126) connected to the return terminal (OUT2) of the transducer.;

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein during control a), the power supply controller (122a, 122b) modulates a power delivered to the pulser (101) on the power supply terminal from a static voltage delivered by a voltage regulator.

3. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the power supply terminal (SHV+, SHV-) of the pulser to which the power supply controller (122a, 122b) is connected is any one of: a positive power supply terminal (SHV+), a negative power supply terminal (SHV+-) and a ground terminal (GND1) of the pulser.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the return terminal (OUT2) of the transducer (22) is connected in series with a ground of the transmitting device (20).

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the modulation (S2) of the output signals is carried out at a modulation frequency Fm greater than or equal to a fraction 1 / P of the firing frequency Ft at which the transducer (20) emits waves (Wl) in response to the output signals (SGI) of the pulser (101), P being an integer equal to 10.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmitting device (20) comprises a plurality of transducers (22) each driven by a respective pulser (101), the signal modulation being carried out independently per channel between each transducer and the respective pulser.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: - measurement (S4) of at least one operating parameter (PR1) of a transmission chain (202) through which the pulser (101) sends the output signals (SGI) to the transducer (22); wherein the modulation of the output signals is carried out as a function of said at least one operating parameter (PR1) measured.

8. Method according to claim 7, said at least one operating parameter (PR1) comprising at least one of: - a voltage at the output of the pulser; - the supply voltage of the pulser (V+, V-); - a ground voltage of the pulser; - a voltage at the terminals of the transmitting device (V3); - a voltage at the reception of the transducer (22); - a current (12) at the output of the pulser; - a supply current of the pulser (IHV+, IHV-); - a ground current (IGND) of the pulser; - a current (13) flowing in the transmitting device; - a temperature of the pulser; - a temperature of the transmitting device; - an electric field emitted by the pulser; - an electric field emitted by the transmitting device; - a magnetic field emitted by the pulser; - a magnetic field emitted by the transmitting device; - an acoustic pressure emitted by the transmitting device; and - an acoustic pressure received by the transmitting device.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the method comprises: - comparing said at least one operating parameter (PR1) with respectively a threshold value (VL1); the modulation (S2) of the output signals (SGI) being a function of a result of said comparison.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the power supply controller regulates the supply voltage to a first value during control a) if said at least one operating parameter does not exceed a respective threshold value, and wherein control a) comprises adapting the supply voltage from the first value to a second value, different from the first value, if said at least one operating parameter exceeds said respective threshold value.

11. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the modulation (S2) of the output signals is carried out by controlling at least one of the controls a) and c) as a function of said at least one measured operating parameter (PR1).

12. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, in which the measurement (S4) of said at least one operating parameter (PR1) is carried out during a calibration of the transmission chain (202), in which the modulation is carried out after the calibration in response to at least one command (CMD1) determined as a function of said at least one operating parameter (PR1).

13. Method according to any combination of the preceding claims including claim 6, the method comprising: - measuring at least one operating parameter (PR1) of transmission chains through which each translator (22) receives output signals (SGI) from a respective pulser (101); and - upon detection that an operating parameter of a transmission chain satisfies a predefined criterion, adapting the modulation of the output signals emitted to the transducer (22) of said transmission chain.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the modulation of the output signals (SGI) is carried out as a function of at least one of: - an imaging mode implemented by the pulser (101) to drive the transmitter device (20); - a type of the transmitter device (20); and - user parameters of the transmitter device (20).

15. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the transducer (22) is a piezoelectric transducer.

16. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said method is applied to ultrasound medical imaging.

17. Computer program (PG1) comprising instructions for executing the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 when said program is executed by a control system (11) controlling a transducer device (20).

18. A system (100, 200) for controlling a wave-emitting device (20) comprising a transducer (22) for emitting waves, said system comprising: - a pulser (101); and - a controller (120) configured to modulate output signals (SGI) emitted from the pulser to control the transducer, said transducer comprising an input terminal configured to receive said output signals and a return terminal connected to a reference ground, said controller comprising at least one of: a) a power supply controller (122a, 122b), connected to a power supply terminal (SHV+, SHV-, GND1) of the pulser, configured to control a power supply voltage of the pulser, the power supply controller being configured to modulate over time a power delivered to the pulser on said power supply terminal from a static voltage delivered by a voltage regulator;and c) a feedback controller (126), connected to a feedback terminal (OUT2) of the transducer, configured to control feedback signals (SG2) of the transducer.;

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