HIFU Transducer Synchronization for Ultrasound Imaging Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The combination of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy with ultrasound imaging is hindered by significant noise interference, making real-time, noise-free imaging of treatment sites challenging due to the overwhelming energy of HIFU waves, which saturates the ultrasound imaging signal and obscures the focal point, preventing accurate targeting and monitoring during therapy.
Innovation Solution
The synchronization of HIFU transducers with ultrasound imaging systems is achieved by using the HIFU transducer as a receiver to detect scattered ultrasound waves, allowing for the generation of a control signal that synchronizes the HIFU bursts with the imaging cycle, shifting interference to the fringes of the image and maintaining synchronization with user-adjustable controls without requiring a separate synchronization signal from the ultrasound imaging system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If HIFU therapy waves are applied at high energy to treat tumors, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but ultrasound imaging quality deteriorates due to noise saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The HIFU therapy is delivered in periodic bursts rather than continuously, synchronized with the ultrasound imaging cycle. The HIFU bursts are timed to occur during specific phases of the imaging sequence when they will not overlap with image acquisition, allowing high-power therapy delivery while maintaining imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
A synchronization mechanism acts as an intermediary between the HIFU therapy system and ultrasound imaging system. This mediator coordinates the timing of HIFU bursts with the imaging cycle, ensuring that therapy and imaging operations are harmonized without mutual interference.
2Duration of action of moving object
If HIFU waves are applied continuously for effective treatment, then therapy delivery is improved, but real-time imaging capability deteriorates due to persistent noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
Both HIFU therapy and ultrasound imaging are structured as periodic operations with coordinated timing. The system alternates between HIFU burst phases and imaging acquisition phases in a synchronized manner, enabling both continuous therapy delivery and real-time imaging monitoring without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing and duration of HIFU bursts based on the real-time imaging cycle. The synchronization mechanism adapts to varying imaging parameters and maintains optimal coordination between therapy delivery and image acquisition throughout the treatment process.
3Measurement precision
If the ultrasound imaging system operates at high sensitivity to detect treatment site changes, then imaging detection capability is improved, but susceptibility to HIFU-induced noise deterioration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound imaging system operates in periodic cycles that are synchronized with HIFU bursts. During imaging acquisition phases, the HIFU therapy is temporarily suspended or timed to occur in gaps between imaging pulses, allowing high-sensitivity detection of treatment site changes without HIFU-induced noise contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization system preliminarily coordinates the imaging schedule to occur during noise-free intervals before HIFU bursts are applied. This advance planning ensures that sensitive imaging detection is performed when no HIFU noise is present, while therapy delivery is scheduled in between imaging cycles.
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 real-time, noise-free ultrasound imaging of the treatment site, allowing for accurate focusing and monitoring of HIFU therapy without modifying existing ultrasound imaging systems, and adapts to changes in imaging settings, ensuring effective energy delivery while minimizing interference.
Implementation Method 1
using the HIFU transducer as a receiver to detect scattered ultrasound waves
Implementation Method 2
detect scattered ultrasound waves
Data Source
AI summary
Interference in ultrasound imaging when used in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is avoided by employing a synchronization signal to control the HIFU signal. Unless the timing of the HIFU transducer is controlled, its output will substantially overwhelm the signal produced by ultrasound imaging system and obscure the image it produces. The synchronization signal employed to control the HIFU transducer is obtained without requiring modification of the ultrasound imaging system. Signals corresponding to scattered ultrasound imaging waves are collected using either the HIFU transducer or a dedicated receiver. A synchronization processor manipulates the scattered ultrasound imaging signals to achieve the synchronization signal, which is then used to control the HIFU bursts so as to substantially reduce or eliminate HIFU interference in the ultrasound image. The synchronization processor can alternatively be implemented using a computing device or an application-specific circuit.