Flexible Ultrasound Transducer Shape Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ultrasound imaging, precise positioning of transducer elements is crucial for effective beamforming and imaging, but existing technologies struggle with accurately determining element positions, especially when transducers are not in direct contact with the body and undergo flexure, leading to difficulties in acoustic beam focus and steering.

Innovation Solution

A transducer array with a shape sensing optical fiber system that flexes with the surface, using stiffeners to limit motion and embedded optical shape sensing fibers to continuously update element positions, enabling real-time positional tracking and time delay compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the transducer array is made flexible to conform to body surfaces, then adaptability to different body topographies is improved, but positional accuracy of transducer elements deteriorates due to flexure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to body surfacesVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical position tracking methods with an optical sensing system. Shape sensing optical fibers embedded in the substrate use optical principles (light propagation and reflection) to detect element positions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical measurement systems while maintaining accuracy despite flexure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces shape sensing optical fibers as intermediary elements between the flexible substrate and the position measurement system. These fibers act as mediators that translate physical deformation of the substrate into measurable optical signals, enabling indirect but accurate position tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the transducer array undergoes flexure to match body contours, then ease of operation is improved, but beam focusing accuracy deteriorates due to time delays from positional changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of use on bodyVSAvoidbeam focusing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of element positions using shape sensing optical fibers before beamforming operations. By knowing the exact positions of all elements despite flexure, the system can pre-calculate the correct time delays and phase adjustments needed for accurate beam focusing and steering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic position tracking system that continuously monitors element positions as the flexible array conforms to body surfaces. The beamforming parameters (time delays and phases) are dynamically adjusted based on real-time position data, allowing the system to maintain focusing accuracy throughout the imaging process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If stiffeners are added to limit flexure, then positional stability is improved, but adaptability to body surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidflexibility to conform

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies stiffeners locally rather than uniformly across the entire array. By strategically placing stiffeners only where structural support is needed, the system maintains positional stability of individual elements while allowing the overall array to remain flexible and adaptable to body surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the substrate into multiple segments or regions with different mechanical properties. Some regions contain stiffeners for stability, while other regions remain flexible for conformability. This segmentation allows the array to simultaneously achieve both positional stability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution ensures accurate determination of transducer element positions, improving ultrasonic beam focus and steering, even when the transducer array flexes, resulting in higher quality imaging by compensating for time delays caused by positional changes.

Implementation Method 1

at least one shape sensing optical fiber is disposed within the array and configured to shape sense a position of at least one element in the array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS10682119B2Shape sensing for flexible ultrasound transducers

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A transducer device includes a transducer array (300) configured on a substrate (312). The substrate is configured to flex in accordance with a surface. The transducer array includes elements for transmitting and/or receiving acoustic energy. A shape sensing optical fiber (314) is disposed within the array and configured to shape sense a position of the elements in the array. Stiffeners (308) are connected to the array and configured to flex in accordance with the surface and provide a limit to an amount of flexure.