Acoustic Wave Receiving Apparatus Bubble Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photoacoustic imaging apparatuses face issues with image quality due to bubbles in the acoustic matching liquid, which can inhibit acoustic wave propagation and result in noise or artifacts in the obtained images.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic wave receiving apparatus with a sheet-shaped holding member, a reception transducer array, a liquid vessel for storing acoustic matching liquid, a liquid supplying unit, and a controlling unit that adjusts the supplying rate of the liquid to minimize bubble interference during imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acoustic matching liquid is supplied to the liquid vessel to store the acoustic matching liquid, then the acoustic coupling between object and probe is improved, but bubbles may become intermingled with the acoustic matching liquid and adhere to the probe or object holding member, inhibiting acoustic wave propagation and degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supplying unit operates periodically by controlling the supplying rate based on the reception state of acoustic waves. The control unit reduces or stops liquid supply when acoustic wave reception is detected, and resumes supply when reception is not occurring. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain acoustic coupling while preventing bubble adhesion during critical imaging periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from the reception transducer array about the acoustic wave reception state and adjusts the liquid supplying rate accordingly. When the transducer array is open to receiving reflected acoustic waves, the control unit reduces the supplying rate; when not receiving, it increases or maintains the supplying rate. This feedback mechanism dynamically balances acoustic coupling quality with bubble prevention.
2Reliability
If liquid supply rate is increased to maintain adequate acoustic matching liquid level, then acoustic coupling is maintained, but bubble generation and adhesion to the probe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supplying rate is made dynamic rather than constant. The liquid supplying unit adjusts its operation in real-time based on the reception state of acoustic waves. During imaging when the transducer array is receiving acoustic waves, the supplying rate is reduced or stopped. During non-imaging periods, the supplying rate is increased to maintain adequate liquid level. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining coupling and preventing bubble adhesion.
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 solution effectively reduces the impact of bubbles on image quality, leading to improved acoustic wave propagation and enhanced image clarity by controlling the liquid supply rate during reception of reflected waves.
Implementation Method 1
a reception transducer array including a plurality of receiving elements configured to receive an acoustic wave propagated from the object via the holding member and to convert the acoustic wave into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
The acoustic matching liquid is a material having an acoustic impedance close to those of the object section and the probe. An acoustic matching material reduces reflection at an interface present between an object section and a probe when an acoustic wave propagates from the object section to the probe.
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic wave receiving apparatus is used, which includes: a holding member; a reception transducer array; a liquid vessel to which the reception transducer array is fixed and configured to store an acoustic matching liquid; a liquid supplying unit; a controlling unit configured to control a supplying rate of the acoustic matching liquid; and a scanning unit, wherein the controlling unit is configured to reduce the supply of the acoustic matching liquid into the liquid vessel when the reception transducer array detects an acoustic wave.