Cranial Acoustic Coupling Puck for Curved Scalp Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) systems face challenges with air gaps due to the curvature of the scalp and smaller-scale features like hair, leading to messy gel application and difficult cleanup, which limits their use outside clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A cranial acoustic coupling apparatus with a holder unit and detachable attachment puck, featuring multiple components and layers that improve sealing and compliance, including gaskets, O-rings, fluid bags, and pressure/vacuum mechanisms to enhance coupling and reduce mess.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasound gel is used to eliminate air gaps between the transducer and scalp, then ultrasound coupling is improved, but the gel becomes messy and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable attachment pucks with pre-applied coupling layers that are discarded after single use. This eliminates the mess problem entirely since the coupling material is contained within the disposable puck rather than being applied freely to the scalp. The technical effect is achieved by integrating the coupling layer into a disposable component that is replaced rather than cleaned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film coupling layers integrated into the attachment puck structure. These thin films provide the necessary acoustic coupling while being contained within the puck's housing, preventing them from becoming messy. The film acts as a controlled interface between the transducer and scalp without the uncontrolled flow characteristics of traditional gel.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied to eliminate air gaps on the curved scalp surface, then ultrasound coupling is improved, but the rigid transducer cannot conform to the curved surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transducer system into modular components: a rigid holder unit containing the ultrasound transducer and a separate detachable attachment puck with the compliant coupling interface. This segmentation allows the rigid transducer to maintain its structural integrity while the separate puck provides the necessary compliance to conform to scalp curvature.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment puck incorporates flexible materials including elastomeric bodies and thin film coupling layers that can deform to match the curved scalp surface. These flexible components are positioned between the rigid transducer and the scalp, providing the necessary compliance while maintaining effective ultrasound coupling through the curved interface.
3Reliability
If a detachable attachment puck with multiple layers is used, then sealing and compliance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional layers (coupling layer, sealing layer, compliant material) into a single integrated attachment puck component. This merging approach maintains the benefits of multiple layers for sealing and compliance while reducing the number of separate components that would need to be assembled and managed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment puck is designed as a disposable component that integrates multiple functional layers. This allows the use of complex multi-layer structures for improved sealing and compliance without increasing the complexity of reusable components. The disposable nature means the complex structure is pre-assembled and discarded rather than requiring complex assembly and disassembly procedures.
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
The system provides improved ultrasound coupling, reduces mess, and facilitates easier cleanup, making tFUS systems more suitable for use outside clinical settings.
Implementation Method 1
multiple components and layers can provide improved sealing and compliance in relation to gaps between the device and skull or head surface geometry
Implementation Method 2
a holder unit that includes one or more ultrasound transducers
Implementation Method 3
pressure/vacuum mechanisms to enhance coupling
Data Source
AI summary
Cranial acoustic coupling apparatuses and methods to improve coupling to the head for use in transcranial focused ultrasound systems (tFUS) are disclosed. The apparatuses are constructed using multiple components and layers to reduce the air gaps due to head curvature and smaller-scale features such as dimples, hair, and so on. An apparatus or system can include a holder unit and an attachment puck. The holder unit can include one or more ultrasound transducers. The attachment puck can include an attachment layer that interfaces with a head.