Bias Voltage Generation for Capacitive Ultrasound Probes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasound diagnostic systems require dedicated equipment for probes with capacitive and piezoelectric transducers, limiting their applicability and flexibility in ultrasound diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A bias voltage generating apparatus integrated within the ultrasound probe equipped with a capacitive transducer, allowing it to function with observation apparatus designed for piezoelectric elements by incorporating a power supply circuit and bias voltage superimposing circuit, enabling the generation and application of necessary bias voltage for both transmission and reception signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a capacitive transducer is used in the ultrasound probe, then the probe requires a dedicated observation apparatus with DC bias voltage generating circuit, but this reduces the adaptability to use with standard piezoelectric element observation apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of ultrasound probe to observation apparatusVSAvoidcomplexity of observation apparatus configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasound observation apparatus is designed to handle both piezoelectric element probes and capacitive transducer probes through a unified architecture. The apparatus automatically detects the probe type and switches between direct signal processing (for piezoelectric) and DC bias voltage addition (for capacitive), making the system universal and eliminating the need for dedicated apparatus for each probe type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The observation apparatus dynamically adjusts its signal processing mode based on the connected probe type. When a capacitive transducer probe is detected, the system activates the DC bias voltage generating circuit and adds the appropriate bias voltage to transmission and received signals. When a piezoelectric probe is connected, the system uses standard processing without DC bias, allowing flexible adaptation to different probe configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If DC bias voltage generating circuit is incorporated in the observation apparatus, then capacitive transducer can be used, but the apparatus size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to support capacitive transducerVSAvoidsize of observation apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The DC bias voltage generating circuit is segmented as an optional module within the observation apparatus, activated only when capacitive transducer probes are connected. This modular approach allows the apparatus to maintain compact size for standard piezoelectric operations while providing expanded functionality when needed, rather than requiring the full circuit to be permanently integrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The observation apparatus preliminarily prepares the DC bias voltage generation capability as a standby function. The circuit components are integrated into the apparatus architecture in advance but remain inactive during normal piezoelectric operations, allowing the system to support capacitive transducers when required without permanently increasing operational complexity or effective size during standard use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If separate dedicated observation apparatus is provided for capacitive transducer, then proper bias voltage can be applied, but this increases the quantity of equipment required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper bias voltage application to capacitive transducerVSAvoidnumber of observation apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The DC bias voltage generating circuit is merged into the standard ultrasound observation apparatus, combining the functions of piezoelectric probe processing and capacitive transducer processing into a single unified system. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated apparatus and allows one observation apparatus to reliably handle both probe types with appropriate signal processing for each.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2839784B1Bias-voltage generation device, and ultrasound diagnostic system

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A bias voltage generating apparatus is placed outside an ultrasound observation apparatus and used together with the ultrasound observation apparatus, the ultrasound observation apparatus incorporating a transmission circuit generating a transmission signal and a reception circuit performing processing on a received signal, for transmitting/receiving ultrasound to/from a subject using a capacitive transducer. The bias voltage generating apparatus includes a power supply circuit for bias voltage which includes a chargeable secondary battery for producing a bias voltage to be applied to the capacitive transducer and produces the bias voltage, and a bias voltage superimposing portion which superimposes the bias voltage on the transmission signal to be outputted to outside the ultrasound observation apparatus and on the received signal to be inputted inside the ultrasound observation apparatus.