Closed-Loop Ultrasound Imaging Active Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound systems face challenges in providing effective imaging guidance for interventional medical procedures due to poor visualization of interventional catheters or laparoscopic surgery tools caused by impedance mismatch between tissue and tools, especially when tools have small diameters or the field of interest is deep inside the body, leading to weak reflected ultrasound waves that are difficult to detect.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop ultrasound system incorporating an ultrasound receiver, transmitter, and a trigger circuit that enables the transmission of ultrasound energy in response to detection signals, along with an active reflector element on the interventional tool to enhance visualization by reflecting ultrasound pulses and providing high-speed signal processing for accurate imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasound imaging is used to visualize interventional tools, then the system remains simple and compatible with existing equipment, but the visualization quality deteriorates due to impedance mismatch between tissue and tools
Solution Approach 1:
An active reflector element is introduced as an intermediary component attached to the interventional tool. This element receives ultrasound pulses from the imaging system and actively transmits reflected pulses back, serving as a mediator that bridges the impedance mismatch between the tool and tissue, thereby enhancing visualization without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The interventional tool is equipped with its own active reflector element that autonomously receives and transmits ultrasound pulses. The tool essentially serves itself by generating the reflection signal needed for visualization, eliminating the need for complex external signaling systems while improving detection capability
2Measurement precision
If passive ultrasound markers are used to improve tool detection, then visualization improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active reflector element implements a feedback mechanism where ultrasound pulses received from the imaging system are processed and re-transmitted back toward the transducer. This feedback loop enhances the reflected signal strength and provides reliable tool detection without requiring complex external marker systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of signal reflection from passive to active by using an electronically controlled reflector element. This parameter change allows the reflector to actively transmit pulses with controlled timing and amplitude, improving detection capability while maintaining compatibility with standard ultrasound systems
3Ease of operation
If the interventional tool has a small diameter or the field of interest is deep inside the body, then the tool can access difficult areas, but the reflected ultrasound wave becomes too weak to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The active reflector element is pre-equipped on the interventional tool before insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the tool reaches difficult-to-access areas with small diameter or deep positioning, the reflector is already in place to actively transmit ultrasound pulses, preventing signal weakness before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The active reflector element transmits ultrasound pulses in a periodic manner synchronized with the imaging system's pulse sequence. This periodic transmission ensures consistent signal strength regardless of the tool's position or depth, maintaining detectability even when the tool is deep inside the body or has a small diameter
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 solution provides high-accuracy, low-complexity imaging guidance for interventional tools, improving localization accuracy to less than half a millimeter and enabling standalone operation with existing ultrasound equipment, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining compatibility with commercial systems.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound receiver at least one of attached to or integral with the tool
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound transmitter at least one of attached to or integral with the tool, the ultrasound transmitter being at least one of integral with or at a predetermined position relative to the ultrasound receiver
Implementation Method 3
an active reflector element on the interventional tool to enhance visualization by reflecting ultrasound pulses
Data Source
AI summary
A closed-loop ultrasound system includes an ultrasound receiver, an ultrasound transmitter at least one of integral with or at a predetermined position relative to the ultrasound receiver, and a trigger circuit configured to receive detection signals from the ultrasound receiver and to provide trigger signals to the ultrasound transmitter in response to received detection signals. The ultrasound transmitter is configured to transmit ultrasound energy in response to the trigger signals.