Flexible Ultrasonic Transducer With Concave-Convex Reflection Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld ultrasonic sensing devices require manual operation and are unsuitable for long-term, qualitative and quantitative measurements, while patch-type devices suffer from positional changes causing spatial information confusion and loss of focusing function, leading to distorted ultrasonic images.
Innovation Solution
A flexible ultrasonic transducer with a concave-convex structure and a transducer array that emits and receives ultrasonic signals on protrusion and recess portions, coupled with a backing and adhesive layer, to maintain image quality by correcting the coordinate system based on deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a patch-type ultrasonic sensing device is attached to the skin surface to enable flexible installation, then the device can be fixedly attached without manual operation, but the position and arrangement of the ultrasonic transducer elements change according to the shape of different parts of the human body, causing spatial information confusion and loss of focusing function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the concave-convex structure on the reflection structure before attachment. This pre-formed structure compensates for the deflection that will occur when the device is attached to the skin, ensuring that the ultrasonic transducer elements maintain their correct spatial relationships and focusing function even when the device conforms to body contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing the concave-convex structure with specific geometric parameters (curvature radius, depth, width) that can compensate for deflection. The concave portions have a first curvature radius while the convex portions have a second curvature radius, creating a geometric correction that maintains the coordinate system integrity despite changes in the device's physical shape when attached to the skin.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the patch-type ultrasonic sensing device bends or deforms according to the shape of different parts of the human body, then the device can adapt to various body shapes, but the reflected ultrasonic signal cannot be used to restore the correct coordinate system, resulting in distortion of the ultrasonic image
Solution Approach 1:
The concave-convex structure is pre-formed on the reflection structure before the device is attached to the skin. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when the device bends or deforms to adapt to body shapes, the ultrasonic transducer elements still maintain their correct spatial relationships, preventing coordinate system restoration issues and image distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by designing the concave-convex structure with specific geometric parameters that compensate for deflection. The varying curvature radii and depths of the concave and convex portions create a geometric correction that maintains the coordinate system integrity even when the device adapts to different body contours, thus preserving ultrasonic image quality.
3Ease of operation
If a handheld ultrasonic sensing device is used for inspection, then the device can be operated manually, but the medical professional operator must manually hold the device and the subject must keep motionless during scanning, making it unsuitable for long-term monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the ultrasonic transducer elements to be self-aligned through the concave-convex structure. The geometric compensation built into the reflection structure ensures that the transducer elements automatically maintain their correct spatial relationships without requiring manual adjustment or external control, enabling long-term autonomous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The concave-convex structure is pre-formed to provide automatic geometric compensation for deflection. This preliminary configuration allows the device to maintain its focusing function and coordinate system integrity autonomously when attached to the skin, eliminating the need for continuous manual operation and enabling long-term monitoring.
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 flexible ultrasonic transducer module maintains image quality by correcting the coordinate system, preventing distortion and ensuring high-quality ultrasonic imaging despite deflection.
Implementation Method 1
each transducer element emits an ultrasonic signal such that the ultrasonic signal is incident upon at least one of the one or the plurality of protrusion portions or at least one of the one or the plurality of recess portions
Implementation Method 2
a reflection structure having a concave-convex structure... each transducer element emits an ultrasonic signal such that the ultrasonic signal is incident upon at least one of the one or the plurality of protrusion portions or at least one of the one or the plurality of recess portions
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible ultrasonic transducer is provided, which includes a reflection structure, a transducer array, a backing layer and a matching layer. The reflection structure has a concave-convex structure, and the concave-convex structure includes at least one of one or a plurality of protrusion portions and one or a plurality of recess portions. The transducer array includes a plurality of transducer elements. Each transducer element emits an ultrasonic signal such that the ultrasonic signal is incident upon at least one of the one or the plurality of protrusion portions, or at least one of the one or the plurality of recess portions. The backing layer is disposed on a first side of the transducer array, and the backing layer is between the reflection structure and the transducer array. The matching layer is disposed on a second side of the transducer array.