Broadband Acoustic Metamaterial for Ultrafast Plane Wave Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrafast plane wave imaging methods suffer from limited imaging depth and quality due to energy loss from unfocused plane waves, which affects both the penetration and resolution of medical ultrasonic images.
Innovation Solution
A method for ultrafast compound plane wave imaging using a broadband acoustic metamaterial, where an ultrasonic signal is transmitted at a preset frequency equal to the response frequency of the metamaterial, and received at multiple angles to enhance echo information, combined with deep learning to remove artifact signals and reconstruct images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If unfocused plane wave imaging is used to achieve high frame rate, then imaging speed is improved, but imaging depth and quality deteriorate due to energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic metamaterial as an intermediary component between the ultrasonic probe and the target object. This metamaterial structure acts as a mediator that transforms the unfocused plane waves into focused acoustic waves, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining the high frame rate capability of plane wave imaging. The metamaterial serves as a bridge that combines the advantages of both focused and unfocused imaging approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the acoustic wave propagation medium by introducing a broadband acoustic metamaterial with specific resonance characteristics. By adjusting the metamaterial's physical properties (density, bulk modulus, resonance frequency), the system achieves enhanced acoustic energy focusing and reduced energy loss, thereby improving imaging depth and quality without sacrificing frame rate.
2Length of stationary object
If low-frequency transmit sequence is used to increase penetration depth, then imaging depth is improved, but imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic resonance mechanism in the acoustic metamaterial that adapts to different frequency components. The metamaterial's resonance characteristics are tuned to enhance specific frequency ranges, allowing the system to dynamically optimize both penetration depth and imaging quality. The dynamic response of the metamaterial enables simultaneous improvement of low-frequency penetration and high-frequency resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a composite acoustic metamaterial structure that combines materials with different acoustic properties. This composite structure creates a broadband resonance system that can simultaneously enhance both penetration depth (through low-frequency resonance) and imaging quality (through high-frequency resonance). The composite nature of the metamaterial allows for multi-functional performance that single materials cannot achieve.
3Measurement precision
If coherent compound plane wave imaging is used to improve imaging quality, then imaging quality is improved, but calculation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary signal processing by using the acoustic metamaterial to pre-focus the acoustic waves before they reach the target object. This preliminary focusing action reduces the complexity of subsequent signal processing and image reconstruction calculations. By preparing the acoustic field in advance through the metamaterial's resonance characteristics, the system achieves high imaging quality with reduced computational burden.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves imaging depth and quality by amplifying signal energy and increasing data volume, while maintaining high frame rates, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional ultrafast imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
the preset transmit frequency is equal to a response frequency of the acoustic metamaterial structure
Implementation Method 2
a broadband acoustic metamaterial structure is proposed to focus acoustic energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method for ultrafast compound plane wave imaging based on a broadband acoustic metamaterial: controlling the transmit-receive ultrasonic probe to emit an ultrasonic signal at a preset transmit frequency and a first preset transmit angle, the preset transmit frequency is equal to a response frequency of the acoustic metamaterial structure; controlling the transmit-receive ultrasonic probe to receive, at a preset receive frequency and separately at a first preset receive angle, a second preset receive angle, a third preset receive angle, echo signals reflected by a measured object, where the preset receive frequency is n times the preset transmit frequency, the first preset receive angle is equal to the first preset transmit angle, the second preset receive angle is smaller than the first preset transmit angle, the third preset receive angle is larger than the first preset transmit angle; using the echo signals to reconstruct an image of the measured object.