Hierarchical Beamforming for Real-Time 3D Ultrasound Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high-resolution, real-time three-dimensional imaging with reduced power consumption and image quality, particularly in enabling continuous real-time display for four-dimensional functionality, due to the need for thousands of beamforming channels and the use of analog phase shift techniques.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a two-dimensional transducer array with a hierarchical beamforming architecture, incorporating a first beamforming circuit for far-field subarray operations and a second for near-field beamsteering and beamfocusing, employing low-power charge domain processors and sparse arrays to minimize sidelobe energy and clutter, allowing for sequential beamforming and independent operation of transmit and receive elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thousands of beamforming channels are used to achieve high-resolution real-time 3D imaging, then image quality and resolution are improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 2D transducer array into multiple subarrays, with each subarray processed by a separate beamforming channel. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high-resolution 3D imaging through coordinated processing of multiple subarrays while reducing the complexity and power consumption compared to processing every individual element separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D imaging to 3D volumetric imaging by utilizing the full 2D transducer array geometry and implementing three-dimensional beamforming algorithms. This dimensional expansion enables real-time 3D display (4D imaging) while managing computational load through efficient signal processing techniques.
2Use of energy by moving object
If analog phase shift technique with digital delay beamformer is used to reduce power consumption, then power usage is reduced, but image quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog phase shift techniques with a digital delay beamformer implementation. This substitution maintains lower power consumption characteristics while improving image quality through more precise digital signal processing, avoiding the compromises inherent in analog approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a two-stage beamforming process with different delay configurations optimized for specific imaging modes (e.g., sector scanning, linear scanning, volumetric imaging). By dynamically adjusting delay parameters based on the imaging requirement, the system achieves high image quality while maintaining power efficiency.
3Productivity
If continuous real-time display for 4D function is implemented, then imaging capability is improved, but computational load and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beamforming operations on each subarray before combining results for final image construction. This pre-processing approach enables real-time 3D display by reducing the computational complexity of the final image synthesis, making continuous 4D imaging feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous real-time 3D display by maintaining ongoing beamforming operations across all subarrays simultaneously. The system processes ultrasound signals continuously to generate volumetric images at video rates, enabling true 4D imaging (3D space + time) without interruption or frame dropout.
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 enables high-resolution, real-time three-dimensional imaging with reduced power consumption, supporting continuous four-dimensional imaging and improved harmonic imaging by minimizing harmonic components in the transmitted waveform, resulting in clearer responses and efficient data processing.
Implementation Method 1
a two dimensional (2D) array of transducer elements in a probe housing
Implementation Method 2
provides three dimensional (3D) images of internal organs and processes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention related to an ultrasound imaging system win which the scan head includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When using a hierarchical two-stage or three-stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated in real-time. The invention further relates to flexible printed circuit boards in the probe head. The invention furthermore related to the use of coded or spread spectrum signaling in ultrasound imagining systems. Matched filters based on pulse compression using Golay code pairs improve the signal-to-noise ratio thus enabling third harmonic imaging with suppressed sidelobes. The system is suitable for 3D full volume cardiac imaging.