Bias-Switchable Ultrasonic Array for Fast 3D Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 2D ultrasound arrays face challenges in achieving high image quality while minimizing system complexity and interconnect difficulties, particularly with large element counts, and existing 3D imaging techniques are slow due to mechanical sweeping.
Innovation Solution
A bias-switchable ultrasonic transducer array with a bias-sensitive layer and electrode strips oriented at a non-zero angle, utilizing bipolar voltage sources for rapid polarization switching and incorporating shielding layers to mitigate leakage currents, enabling fast bias-switching electronics for each row and column.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large probes with high-element density are used to produce high-quality images, then image quality is improved, but the number of channels increases leading to significant interconnect and channel count difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into multiple independent modules, each with its own subset of elements and channels. This segmentation allows high-element-density arrays to be constructed from manageable modular units, reducing the complexity of interconnects while maintaining high image quality through the combined output of multiple modules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a 2D matrix array configuration where elements are arranged in both azimuthal and elevational dimensions. This dimensional approach allows for reduced channel counts compared to linear arrays by enabling electronic beamforming in multiple directions, thus achieving high image quality without proportionally increasing interconnect complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical sweeping of linear or annular transducer is used to implement 3D imaging, then 3D imaging capability is achieved, but the imaging speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sweeping mechanisms with fully electronic beamforming and steering capabilities. The 2D matrix array with electronic phase control allows rapid switching between different imaging planes and 3D volume acquisition without any moving parts, achieving high-speed 3D imaging by substituting mechanical motion with electronic signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses rapid sequential activation of different element subsets within the 2D array to acquire data for multiple imaging planes in succession. This periodic electronic switching between transmit/receive modes and different element combinations enables fast 3D volume acquisition by systematically cycling through required view angles and depths
3Measurement precision
If bias-sensitive TOBE arrays are used to enable Hadamard encoding schemes, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the system requires complex bipolar voltage switching capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bias switching functionality with the existing transmit/receive signal paths by using the same electrode structures for both purposes. The bipolar voltage source is integrated into the channel architecture, merging the encoding function with the imaging function to reduce overall system complexity while maintaining SNR improvements from Hadamard encoding
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the bias voltage parameter between high and low states to implement Hadamard encoding patterns. By modulating the bias voltage applied to alternating rows or columns, the system achieves complex encoding schemes that improve SNR, with the voltage transitions synchronized to the imaging sequence to manage complexity
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
Enables high-quality 3D and steerable 2D ultrasound imaging with ultrafast imaging rates, reducing edge-wave artifacts, and ensuring electrical safety through rapid high-voltage switching and efficient signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a bipolar voltage source connected to each of the top electrode strips and each of the bottom electrode strips to induce a polarization in the dielectric layer
Implementation Method 2
bias-sensitive ultrasonic layer
Implementation Method 3
TOBE arrays have been implemented with piezoelectrics
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic imaging system has a bias-switchable, ultrasonic transducer array and a bipolar voltage source. The array has a dielectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; top and bottom electrode strips in electrical contact with the top and bottom surface of the dielectric layer, the bottom electrode strips being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the top electrode strips. There is an acoustic matching layer or multiplicity of matching layers on the front-side of the array and a leakage-current mitigation layer. The bipolar voltage source is connected to each of the top and bottom electrode strips to induce a polarization in the dielectric layer, the bipolar voltage source being capable of switching between a high voltage state and a low voltage state. A controller controls the bipolar voltage source, and pulsing to and receiving signals from the top and bottom electrode strips.