Fixed Focus Transducer Array for Miniaturized Ultrasonic Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic medical devices require additional circuits for delaying transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals, leading to increased circuit area and decreased processing speed, particularly in compact devices like cellular phones.

Innovation Solution

A fixed focus transducer array with transducers disposed symmetrically based on natural frequencies, allowing simultaneous focusing of ultrasonic signals on a single focal point without the need for external delay circuits, by varying cross-sectional sizes or densities of piezoelectric elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If delay circuits are added to control transmission pulse signals and compensate received signals for focusing, then ultrasonic signal focusing capability is improved, but circuit area increases and processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasonic signal focusing capabilityVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the delay circuits from the system by designing transducers with different natural frequencies that inherently provide the delay effect through their physical properties rather than electronic circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the transducers by assigning different natural frequencies to different transducers, which allows them to naturally delay or advance their ultrasonic signals without requiring electronic delay circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If delay circuits are added to control transmission pulse signals and compensate received signals for focusing, then ultrasonic signal focusing capability is improved, but processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasonic signal focusing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the electronic delay circuits from the system, replacing them with transducers that have different natural frequencies, thereby eliminating the circuit processing step and improving overall processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic/mechanical delay circuit system with a physical system based on the natural frequencies of the transducers, which operate more quickly and efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple circuits are integrated in compact devices, then device functionality is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the delay circuits from the device, reducing the overall device size while maintaining the focusing functionality through the natural frequency characteristics of the transducers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transducers with different natural frequencies serve multiple functions: they generate ultrasonic signals, provide inherent delay/advance effects, and focus signals, eliminating the need for separate delay circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach reduces circuit area and enhances processing speed, enabling miniaturization of ultrasonic medical devices while maintaining high-resolution imaging capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of transducers, transducing electrical signals into ultrasonic signals to thereby focus the ultrasonic signals on a single focal point and transducing reflected ultrasonic signals from the single focal point into electrical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the plurality of transducers are disposed to be symmetrical to each other based on one transducer and simultaneously focus the ultrasonic signals on the single focal point at speeds according to the respective natural frequencies thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural frequency vibration: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS9060734B2Fixed focus transducer array and ultrasonic wave transceiving apparatus using the same

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

There are provided a fixed focus transducer array and an ultrasonic wave transceiving apparatus using the same. The fixed focus transducer array includes: a plurality of transducers, transducing electrical signals into ultrasonic signals to thereby focus the ultrasonic signals on a single focal point and transducing reflected ultrasonic signals from the single focal point into electrical signals to thereby output the electrical signals, wherein the plurality of transducers are disposed to be symmetrical to each other based on one transducer and simultaneously focus the ultrasonic signals on the single focal point at speeds according to the respective natural frequencies thereof. Therefore, a circuit area is reduced, whereby miniaturization may be implemented and a processing speed may be increased.