Analogue Phased Array Transducer for Wearable Ultrasound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound devices for monitoring liquid volumes in body cavities, such as bladders, are limited by high energy consumption, large size, and the need for wired connections, making them unsuitable for continuous, portable, or wearable use, especially for applications requiring prolonged monitoring and movement flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An energy-efficient simplified analogue phased array transducer for ultrasound beam steering, which reduces energy consumption by over 75% and component complexity, allowing for a small, wireless, wearable device capable of monitoring liquid volumes in body cavities with reduced power requirements and increased portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard beamformer with 64 to 128 transmit/receive channels is used, then image quality and measurement precision are improved, but device size and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into multiple independent channels (e.g., 8 channels with 4 elements each), where each channel processes signals independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve adequate measurement precision through coordinated processing of multiple channels while reducing the complexity and power consumption compared to a full 64-128 channel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a reduced number of channels (6-12 channels total) compared to standard systems (64-128 channels). By using a partial set of channels with appropriate beamforming algorithms, the system achieves sufficient measurement precision for bladder monitoring applications while significantly reducing power consumption and device size.
2Measurement precision
If a standard beamformer with 64 to 128 transmit/receive channels is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into multiple independent channels (e.g., 8 channels with 4 elements each), where each channel processes signals independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve adequate measurement precision through coordinated processing of multiple channels while reducing the complexity and power consumption compared to a full 64-128 channel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a reduced number of channels (6-12 channels total) compared to standard systems (64-128 channels). By using a partial set of channels with appropriate beamforming algorithms, the system achieves sufficient measurement precision for bladder monitoring applications while significantly reducing power consumption and device size.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated ultrasound devices with wired connections are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and integrates the signal processing capabilities directly into the wearable transducer unit, eliminating the need for external wired connections to a separate monitor. The simplified beamforming algorithm runs locally on the device, enabling portable operation while maintaining monitoring accuracy for bladder volume detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple functions including the transducer array, beamforming processing, signal analysis, and display in a single integrated unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices and wired connections, improving portability and ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
4Ease of operation
If handheld ultrasound devices are used, then ease of operation is improved, but duration of action and reliability deteriorate due to intermittent use limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous monitoring by integrating the transducer array directly into wearable clothing or body-worn devices, allowing the system to operate continuously as the user moves about their daily activities. The low-power simplified beamforming architecture supports prolonged operation without requiring intermittent use, maintaining both ease of operation and continuous monitoring capability.
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 enables continuous, portable monitoring of liquid volumes in body cavities with reduced energy consumption and component complexity, allowing for prolonged use without the need for wired connections, enhancing user mobility and comfort while maintaining essential functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a phased array comprising an array of n*m piezoelectric transducer elements
Implementation Method 2
an array of n*m piezoelectric transducer elements operating a frequency of 20 kHz-50 MHz
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates in a first aspect to an energy efficient simplified analogue phased array transducer for ultrasound beam steering, in a second aspect to a product, such as a small wearable ultrasound device for signalling changes in a human or animal body, such as a liquid volume in a body cavity of a human or an animal, in a third aspect to a use of said device, and in a fourth aspect to a method of operating an ultrasound device.