Fully Sampled Transducer Array for Electronic Histotripsy Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing histotripsy systems using specialty ultrasound transducers with a small number of active elements lack full electronic beam steering, leading to mechanical translation issues, increased targeting errors, and potential patient injury, especially in complex anatomical environments.
Innovation Solution
A fully sampled transducer array that allows for full electronic steering of the acoustic beam without mechanical translation, using an array of transducers separated by specific wavelengths to prevent grating lobes and enable precise targeting, integrated with imaging capabilities and aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a small number of active transducer elements are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but full electronic beam steering is not achieved and mechanical translation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into multiple independent active elements that can be individually controlled. By segmenting the transducer into multiple elements, the system achieves electronic beam steering through selective activation and phase control of individual segments, eliminating the need for mechanical translation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical translation systems with electronic beam steering. Instead of physically moving the transducer or mechanical components to change beam direction, the system uses electronic control of the transducer elements to steer the acoustic beam electronically, thereby eliminating mechanical complexity and improving operational ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical translation is used to access treatment areas, then the transducer can reach all areas, but de-registration, targeting error, and treatment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system substitutes mechanical translation with electronic beam steering to maintain access to all treatment areas while eliminating mechanical de-registration and targeting errors. The electronic control system dynamically adjusts beam direction and focus without physical movement, ensuring precise targeting accuracy throughout the treatment field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic electronic beam steering that allows real-time adjustment of beam direction and focus during treatment. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different treatment areas and depths without mechanical movement, maintaining consistent targeting accuracy and reducing treatment time through rapid repositioning.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical translation is used, then the transducer can be repositioned, but the risk of patient injury increases due to de-registration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical repositioning with electronic beam steering to eliminate the risk of mechanical de-registration and associated patient injury. The electronic control system maintains precise spatial relationships and beam alignment without physical contact or mechanical movement, thereby removing the harmful factor of mechanical error while preserving operational flexibility.
4Device complexity
If specialty ultrasound transducers with limited active elements are used, then the device is simpler, but acoustic beam degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is segmented into multiple active elements that work together to form a coherent acoustic beam. This segmentation allows for sophisticated beamforming and focusing that maintains acoustic beam quality while managing device complexity through modular, independently controllable elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the electronic control of transducer elements to optimize acoustic beam quality. By dynamically adjusting phase, amplitude, and timing parameters of individual elements, the system compensates for any potential beam degradation and maintains high acoustic beam quality without requiring complex mechanical systems.
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
Enables precise and safe histotripsy in larger volumes and complex anatomical regions, reducing targeting errors and treatment time, while maintaining high power levels and avoiding damage to non-target areas.
Implementation Method 1
Histotripsy is the use of short, high intensity ultrasound waves to induce cavitation in a target media, such as tissue in a patient, resulting in mechanical damage to targeted tissue.
Implementation Method 2
The transducer array may be used to generate acoustic beams with a power level and focus sufficient for histotripsy.
Implementation Method 3
The transducer elements may be individual ultrasonic transducers of any suitable type, including, for example, piezoelectric transducers.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for generating histotripsy therapy pulses using full cycle transmit. An ultrasonic system may include a transducer array and amplifier electronics. The transducer array may include transducer elements. The transducer elements may be positioned on the transducer array such that the separation between neighboring transducer elements of the transducer elements in both elevation and azimuth is no more than one wavelength of the ultrasonic center frequency of the transducer array. The amplifier electronics may drive the transducer array.