Curved Acoustic Diffractive Lens for Ultrasound Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holographic lenses for ultrasound beam shaping are relatively thick, leading to high acoustic energy losses and reduced precision in targeting small, confined areas within the body.
Innovation Solution
A customizable acoustic diffractive lens designed using an iterative angular spectrum approach (IASA) is used to generate phase offsets and redirect ultrasound waves, allowing for precise control of the ultrasound beam pattern and reduction in lens thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional holographic lens is used for ultrasound beam shaping, then the lens can be fabricated and integrated, but the lens becomes relatively thick leading to high acoustic energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a curved surface design to the holographic lens that conforms to the transducer geometry. The lens surface is shaped with specific curvature radii (e.g., R1 and R2) to match the transducer's curved front surface, enabling form-factor matching while reducing overall lens thickness. This curvature approach allows the lens to maintain its beam-shaping function while minimizing the path length for acoustic waves, thereby reducing energy losses.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional holographic lens is used for ultrasound beam shaping, then the lens can be integrated with the transducer, but the lens becomes relatively thick reducing precision in targeting small confined areas
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface design with specific radii of curvature enables the lens to conform precisely to the transducer surface, improving form-factor matching. This geometric approach allows for better integration while reducing thickness, thereby enhancing the precision of acoustic energy focusing on small, confined target areas within the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs iterative angular spectrum approach (IASA) to optimize lens parameters including thickness, curvature radii, and holographic feature dimensions. By systematically adjusting these parameters, the lens achieves minimal thickness while maintaining precise beam shaping capability for targeting small confined areas, resolving the contradiction between integration ease and targeting precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional flat holographic lens is used, then the lens can be fabricated, but it does not conform well to curved transducer surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a flat lens design to a curved surface design where the lens incorporates specific curvature radii (R1, R2) that match the transducer's front surface geometry. This curved configuration enables form-factor matching between the lens and transducer, ensuring proper surface conformity while maintaining fabrication feasibility through techniques like 3D printing or injection molding.
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 customizable lens reduces acoustic energy losses and improves targeting precision by minimizing lens thickness and discontinuities, enabling more effective ultrasound treatments such as tissue ablation and lithotripsy.
Implementation Method 1
The customizable lens is an acoustic diffractive lens (also referred to as 'lens,' 'customizable lens,' 'diffractive lens,' 'holographic lens,' 'non-planar holographic lens' or 'curved holographic lens') that generates phase offsets and redirection in the wave front as the ultrasound waves transit the lens.
Data Source
AI summary
Non-planar holographic beam shaping lenses for acoustics are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic therapy system that is configured to apply ultrasound to a target in a body includes: an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate the ultrasound; and a customizable holographic lens configured to focus the ultrasound onto a focal area of a target that is an object or a portion of the object in the body. The customizable holographic lens is designed and produced based on the target. Furthermore, the customizable holographic lens is curved to mate with a front surface of the ultrasonic transducer.