Bias-Switchable Row-Column Transducer for Reduced-Artifact 3D Doppler Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high-resolution, ultrafast 3D Power Doppler imaging due to limitations in focusing and artifacts in point-spread functions, particularly with row-column arrays.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a bias-switchable row-column array transducer that alternates between row and column transmit events with specific bias voltage patterns, allowing for improved focusing and reduced artifacts by combining row and column channel datasets to generate ultrasonic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If row-column arrays are used for ultrafast Power Doppler imaging, then imaging speed and sensitivity to slow blood flow are improved, but focusing quality deteriorates and artifacts appear in point-spread functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into two distinct sequences: a row imaging sequence and a column imaging sequence. Each sequence independently acquires data with optimized focusing in its respective direction. The final image is formed by combining these two segmented datasets, thereby achieving both high imaging speed and improved focusing quality without the artifacts present in conventional single-sequence approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-direction imaging to a two-dimensional imaging approach by acquiring data along both row and column dimensions separately. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve fine isotropic focusing in three-dimensional space by combining the strengths of both orthogonal viewing directions, eliminating the focusing artifacts that plague single-direction row-column array imaging.
2Device complexity
If conventional row-column arrays are used, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality and focusing precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the row-column array transducer multi-functional by enabling it to operate in two distinct modes: row transmit mode and column transmit mode. The same physical array structure serves both imaging sequences, achieving high-quality focusing in both dimensions without requiring separate transducer arrays for each direction, thus maintaining low device complexity while dramatically improving image quality.
3Measurement precision
If ultrafast imaging with long ensemble sizes is used, then sensitivity to slow blood flow is improved, but imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by performing row and column imaging sequences in an interleaved or alternating manner, maximizing the utilization of the ultrasound transducer. Both imaging sequences share the same acquisition time, effectively doubling the data collection efficiency compared to sequential acquisition. This continuous operation enables long ensemble sizes for high sensitivity to slow blood flow without proportionally increasing total imaging time.
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 enables high-resolution, ultrafast 3D imaging with improved sensitivity to slow blood flow, achieving fine isotropic focusing and high contrast images, which is not possible with conventional imaging technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric array transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements arranged in a two-dimensional array pattern
Implementation Method 2
Power Doppler Ultrasound is a method of imaging moving blood
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic image is obtained from a bias-switchable row-column array transducer. A row channel data set is obtained by applying a bias voltage pattern to groups of row electrodes, the bias voltage pattern being chosen such that row electrodes within each group have the same bias voltage; transmitting a waveform along each of the plurality of row electrodes; and recording received column signals from each of the plurality of column electrodes. A column channel data set is obtained by applying a bias voltage pattern to groups of column electrodes, the bias voltage pattern being chosen such that column electrodes within each group have the same bias voltage; transmitting a waveform along each of the plurality of column electrodes; and recording received row signals from each of the plurality of row electrodes.