Ultrasound Backing Block Conductors for Contrast Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound transducers suffer from acoustic energy loss and reduced contrast resolution due to the presence of intervening layers such as ground sheets and flexible circuits, which cause acoustic mismatch and reverberation.
Innovation Solution
Integrate signal and ground conductors directly into the backing block of the ultrasound transducer, eliminating the need for intervening metal layers by forming grooves in the backing block and filling them with conductive materials to create integrated signal and ground paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground sheets and flexible circuits are used as intervening layers between transducer elements and backing block, then electrical connection is achieved, but acoustic energy loss and reduced contrast resolution occur due to acoustic mismatch and reverberation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function directly into the backing block by integrating ground sheets and flexible circuits as intervening layers between the transducer elements and the backing block, eliminating the need for separate connection components while maintaining acoustic matching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intervening layers comprising ground sheets and flexible circuits as mediators between the transducer elements and the backing block, which provide electrical connection while being acoustically matched to minimize reverberation and energy loss
2Reliability
If ground sheets and flexible circuits are used as intervening layers, then electrical connection is established, but contrast resolution deteriorates due to reverberation from acoustic mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function with the acoustic matching function by integrating ground sheets and flexible circuits as intervening layers that perform both functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate connection components while maintaining acoustic matching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intervening layers comprising ground sheets and flexible circuits as mediators between the transducer elements and the backing block, which provide electrical connection while being acoustically matched to minimize reverberation and energy loss
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 integration reduces energy loss, enhances contrast resolution, and improves thermal management by optimizing acoustic and thermal design, while also reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A backing includes acoustic energy attenuating material, a ground conductor integrated with the acoustic energy attenuating material, and signal conductors integrated with the acoustic energy attenuating material
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
For ultrasound transducers, signal lines and ground lines are integrated as part of the backing block. In one approach, a groove extending only partly into the backing block is filled to provide the ground path. The intervening layers (e.g., flexible circuit) between the transducer elements and backing block are replaced by the integrated signal and ground lines, so there is less energy loss and greater contrast resolution.