Fiber-Optical Ultrasound Sensor Using Resonant Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and broad bandwidth, particularly in medical applications requiring a small form factor, due to limitations in echogenicity, signal output, and directional response of Acoustic Energy Generating (AEG) materials.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiber optical sensor systems that incorporate optical waveguides with core and cladding structures, coupled with optical sensor structures such as optical resonators, interferometers, and acoustically responsive metasurface patterns, to detect acoustic signals and provide high sensitivity and broad bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Acoustic Energy Generating (AEG) materials are used for transducers, then ultrasound imaging capability is achieved, but the form factor becomes large and signal output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces Acoustic Energy Generating (AEG) materials with Acoustically Responsive (AR) optical materials. Instead of using piezoelectric or ceramic materials that generate ultrasound mechanically, the invention uses optical materials that respond to acoustic waves through optical property changes. This substitution enables small form factor sensors to achieve high signal output by detecting acoustic-induced optical changes rather than generating acoustic energy mechanically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from mechanical energy generation to optical property detection. By monitoring changes in optical properties (refractive index, absorption, scattering) that occur in response to acoustic waves, the system achieves high sensitivity in a compact form factor. The optical materials exhibit parameter changes in response to acoustic pressure, enabling detection without the size constraints of traditional AEG transducers.
2Volume of moving object
If Acoustic Energy Generating (AEG) transducers are miniaturized, then small form factor is achieved, but signal output becomes low to minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical AEG transduction with optical detection. Small AR optical materials are used that change their optical properties in response to acoustic waves. This allows miniaturized sensors to maintain high signal output because the optical response can be detected with high sensitivity using optical detection systems, overcoming the signal output limitations of miniaturized AEG transducers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying/detection of acoustic wave effects rather than direct mechanical transduction. The AR materials serve as optical copies or indicators of acoustic wave presence, translating mechanical acoustic energy into detectable optical signals. This copying mechanism enables high signal output from small form factor sensors by detecting optical changes rather than generating mechanical energy.
3Reliability
If traditional ultrasound imaging technology is used, then anatomical imaging is achieved, but echogenicity limitations affect image quality of tracked objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical ultrasound imaging with optical detection of acoustic waves. AR optical materials detect acoustic waves through optical property changes, providing image quality that is not limited by echogenicity. This substitution allows for high-contrast imaging of tracked objects because the optical detection method is insensitive to the acoustic reflectivity (echogenicity) of the objects being imaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces AR optical materials as an intermediary between acoustic waves and detection. These materials serve as a mediator that translates acoustic wave interactions into optical signals, bypassing the echogenicity limitations of direct ultrasound detection. The intermediary optical materials provide a different detection mechanism that is not constrained by the acoustic reflectivity of the imaged objects.
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
These fiber optical sensor systems offer high sensitivity, broad bandwidth, and a wide acceptance angle, enabling the detection of harmonic or scattered signals that traditional technologies cannot sense, while being compact and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor structure coupled to a first end of the optical waveguide including at least one of an optical resonator, an optical interferometer, a facet end microstructure, and a polarization sensitive structure
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor structure coupled to a first end of the optical waveguide including at least one of an optical resonator, an optical interferometer
Implementation Method 3
an optical sensor structure coupled to a first end of the optical waveguide including at least one of an optical resonator, an optical interferometer, a facet end microstructure, and a polarization sensitive structure
Implementation Method 4
an optical waveguide comprising a core and a cladding structure
Data Source
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AI summary
Optical fiber based acoustic sensors are provided herein. The optical fiber based acoustic sensors described herein include acoustically responsive optical structures configured to detect and receive acoustic signals, including ultrasound signals, and provide associated optical signals to a system for processing and interpretation to implement tracking, location, and imaging capabilities. Optical fiber based sensors provided herein may be disposed at ends of or along the length of optic fibers. Optical fiber based sensors may be included within various devices, including, for example, medical devices.