Hilbert-Fresnel Beamforming for 2D Phased Array Ultrasonic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 2D phased array ultrasonic imaging systems face challenges in achieving peak pressure at the focal zone due to large sidelobes and temporal misalignment of pulses, resulting in reduced image quality, especially when using Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (cMUTs) for 4D ultrasonic imaging.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method and system that utilize a transmitter and receiver configuration to transmit and receive ultrasonic beams with quadrature relationships, applying Hilbert-Fresnel focusing functions to improve beamforming, which reduces sidelobes and temporal misalignment by combining acoustic lines to create a high-quality beam pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beamforming is performed using conventional methods with 2D phased array, then image acquisition is achieved, but large sidelobes and temporal misalignment occur resulting in reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Hilbert-Fresnel focusing functions that modify the phase and amplitude parameters of ultrasonic beams in a mathematically optimized manner. This transforms the conventional beamforming approach by changing the functional form of the focusing operation, resulting in reduced sidelobes and improved temporal alignment of pulses at the focal zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional beamforming methods with a mathematically-based Hilbert-Fresnel transformation approach. This substitution transitions from traditional mechanical/electrical beamforming to a signal-processing-based method that operates in the frequency domain, achieving superior focusing performance through mathematical transformation rather than conventional electronic beamforming.
2Productivity
If 2D phased array with thousands of elements is used for 4D imaging, then real-time 3D imaging capability is achieved, but data acquisition and control becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the beamforming operation from the time domain to the frequency domain using Hilbert-Fresnel functions. This parameter transformation allows for more efficient processing of data from 2D phased arrays, reducing the computational complexity and making control of large element arrays more manageable while maintaining real-time imaging capability.
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 results in improved image quality by reducing sidelobe size and temporal misalignment, enhancing the clarity and reliability of 4D ultrasonic images.
Implementation Method 1
CMUT's can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals, such as ultrasonic signals, and can also convert acoustic signals, such as ultrasonic signals, into electrical signals.
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic imaging systems transmit ultrasonic sound waves, for example, in the range of 2 to 13 MHz, into a subject, such as a patient, receive echoes that are reflected back from the subject and interpret those echoes, thereby creating an image.
Implementation Method 3
In order to allow each ultrasound wave transmitted from a phased array transducer to reach the focal zone at the same time or in-phase, the transducer can vary the amplitude and/or phase of the wave transmitted from each transducer element based on the location of the transducer element and the location of the focal zone.
Implementation Method 4
a beamformer configured to create a beam pattern based on a plurality of received ultrasonic beams
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the present technology provide systems and methods for focusing a two dimensional phased array to perform four dimensional ultrasonic imaging. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide an ultrasonic imaging system comprising: a transducer configured to emit ultrasonic beams and detect reflected ultrasonic beams; a transmitter configured to transmit a first ultrasonic beam using a first focusing function and transmit a second ultrasonic beam that has a quadrature relationship to the first ultrasonic beam using a second focusing function; a receiver configured to acquire a first acoustic line based on a reflected first ultrasonic beam using a first focusing function and acquire a second acoustic line based on a reflected second ultrasonic beam using a second focusing function; and a beamformer configured to combine acoustic lines acquired by a receiver to create a beam pattern.