Acoustic Probe Transducer Spiral Array Golden Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic probes face issues with non-uniform transducer arrangement, leading to artifacts in reconstructed images due to insufficient dispersibility in both azimuth angle and spiral center axis directions, which reduces image quality.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic probe with transducers arranged in a spiral array on a spherical surface, where the supporting position is defined by polar coordinates, ensuring high uniform dispersibility by setting azimuth angle and spiral pitches using the golden angle and Fibonacci sequence, thereby minimizing artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transducers are arranged in a spherical array without considering uniform dispersibility, then the mounting density of transducers becomes uneven, but this leads to artifacts in the reconstructed image and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using the golden angle (approximately 137.5 degrees) as the azimuth angle increment for arranging transducers on the spherical array. This specific angular parameter ensures uniform dispersibility of transducers across the spherical surface, which eliminates artifacts in the reconstructed image and improves image quality. The golden angle is derived from the Fibonacci sequence and provides optimal spacing that prevents clustering and gaps in transducer distribution.
2Manufacturing precision
If transducers are arranged uniformly in azimuth angle direction but not sufficiently in spiral center axis direction, then azimuth angle dispersibility is improved, but image quality still deteriorates due to insufficient uniform dispersibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the arrangement from two-dimensional azimuth angle spacing to three-dimensional uniform dispersibility by incorporating the spiral center axis direction. Transducers are arranged not only at uniform azimuth angle intervals but also distributed uniformly along the spiral path from the equator to the pole. This three-dimensional arrangement ensures that transducers are evenly spaced in all directions, including the spiral center axis direction, thereby eliminating artifacts and improving image quality.
3Reliability
If a spherical array shape is used to receive acoustic waves from a wide solid angle, then artifact reduction is achieved, but non-uniform transducer arrangement causes mounting density deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between artifact reduction and mounting density uniformity by implementing the golden angle arrangement. The golden angle (137.5 degrees) is specifically calculated to provide uniform spacing of transducers around the spherical array perimeter at each latitude. This parameter optimization ensures that transducers are evenly distributed across the entire spherical surface, including polar regions, thereby achieving both artifact reduction and uniform mounting density simultaneously.
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
The proposed arrangement significantly enhances the uniform dispersibility of transducers, reducing artifacts in acquired images and improving image quality by ensuring uniform distribution and reception of acoustic waves.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of transducers 104 arrayed in a spiral array... that receive acoustic waves
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic probe includes a plurality of transducers that receives acoustic waves and a supporting body including a supporting portion having a symmetrical concave surface, such as a spherical cap surface, which supports the transducers in a spiral array. The supporting position R at which the supporting portion supports the transducers is given as R(r0, θ, φ) [m, rad, rad] by a polar coordinate with respect to a center of the symmetrical concave surface by setting a sphere radius, a zenith angle, and an azimuth angle as “r0”, “θ”, and “φ”, wherein the plurality of transducers is arrayed at a set azimuth angle spiral pitch in an azimuth angle direction and an axis direction spiral pitch set parallel to a central axis direction of the symmetrical concave surface, and wherein the azimuth angle spiral pitch is an angle acquired by dividing 2π by 1+golden number.