Ultrasound Elastography Probe With Resonant Inertial Exciter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for measuring viscoelastic properties of biological tissues, such as the liver, face challenges with ergonomic design, high energy consumption, and limited ability to generate effective shear waves for 2D mapping, particularly in the context of hepatic fibrosis evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A 2D pulse elastography system using a probe with a transducer array and inertial vibration exciter, where the exciter's mass and stiffness coefficient are optimized to resonate at the desired frequency, allowing simultaneous generation of low-frequency elastic waves and high-frequency ultrasonic waves, with the exciter's mass comprising 5-25% of the probe's total weight and stiffness coefficient between 300 kg·s^2 and 50,000 kg·s^2, enabling efficient shear wave generation with minimal energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transducer array is attached to an electrodynamic actuator for 2D mapping, then shear wave generation capability is improved, but the device becomes incompatible with liver exploration between ribs due to large dimensions and cable bundle complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a linear array of ultrasonic transducers for imaging and a separate mechanical excitation unit with voice coil actuator. This segmentation allows the imaging array to be thin and cable-connected while the excitation mechanism is positioned separately, enabling ergonomic insertion between ribs for liver exploration.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the voice coil actuator and the transducer array. This coupling allows the excitation force to be transmitted to the tissue through the transducer housing without requiring direct attachment of the full-weight actuator to the fragile transducer elements, solving both the ergonomic and reliability problems.
2Power
If mechanical excitation means with large width are used for shear wave generation, then shear wave generation effectiveness is improved, but the system becomes incompatible with liver exploration between ribs
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional large mechanical excitation system is replaced with an electromagnetic voice coil actuator that generates linear motion. This substitution allows for a compact, narrow excitation mechanism that can be easily positioned between ribs while still delivering sufficient mechanical energy to generate effective shear waves in the liver tissue.
3Measurement precision
If transducer array with multiple elements is used for 2D mapping, then imaging capability is improved, but the complexity of cable connections and positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic imaging system uses a linear array of individually addressable transducer elements rather than a single large transducer. Each element can be independently controlled and timed, enabling 2D mapping capability while maintaining a relatively simple linear geometry that simplifies cable routing and positioning compared to more complex array configurations.
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 achieves effective 2D mapping of viscoelastic properties with reduced bulk and energy consumption, facilitating ergonomic use and battery-powered operation while ensuring sufficient shear wave generation for tissue analysis.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inertial vibration exciter for emitting the at least one low-frequency elastic wave, said and at least one exciter including: a fixed part mechanically integral with the transducer array, a mobile part capable of moving freely relative to the fixed part to produce vibrations in order to generate the low-frequency elastic wave
Implementation Method 2
a transducer array, mechanically integral with the housing, for emitting high-frequency ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 3
at least one return spring extending between the fixed part and the mobile part
Implementation Method 4
receiving acoustic echoes due to the reflections of the ultrasonic waves in the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A probe for measuring the viscoelastic properties of a medium of interest, the probe including a housing, a transducer array for emitting high-frequency ultrasonic waves and receiving acoustic echoes, at least one inertial vibration exciter including a fixed part mechanically integral with the transducer array, a mobile part capable of moving relative to the fixed part to produce vibrations in order to generate the low-frequency elastic wave, wherein the mobile part includes at least one permanent magnet, the at least one inertial vibration exciter including an additional inertial mass distributed around the permanent magnet.