Interleaved Ultrasonic Transducer Arrays for Single-Probe Multi-Focus Imaging

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasonic transducers require multiple probes for linear and phased array operations, increasing complexity and cost, and suffer from image quality issues due to artifacts.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic transducer design with interleaved first and second array units sharing a common reference coordinate, allowing simultaneous operation of linear and phased arrays with a single probe, and incorporating a multi-focal lens functionality for adaptable frequencies and resolutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two separate probes are provided for linear array and phased array functions, then both functions can be performed, but device complexity and hardware cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines linear array and phased array functions into a single ultrasonic transducer probe. The transducer includes both linear array elements and phased array elements integrated in one device, allowing both imaging modes to be performed with a single probe rather than requiring separate probes for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasonic transducer is designed with multi-functionality to perform both linear array imaging and phased array imaging. The device includes control circuitry that can switch between different imaging modes and activate appropriate element subsets, making a single probe universal for multiple ultrasonic imaging applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate probes are provided for linear array and phased array functions, then both functions can be performed, but hardware cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines linear array and phased array functions into a single ultrasonic transducer probe. The transducer includes both linear array elements and phased array elements integrated in one device, allowing both imaging modes to be performed with a single probe rather than requiring separate probes for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasonic transducer is designed with multi-functionality to perform both linear array imaging and phased array imaging. The device includes control circuitry that can switch between different imaging modes and activate appropriate element subsets, making a single probe universal for multiple ultrasonic imaging applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If conventional ultrasonic transducer operates with linear array, then imaging can be performed, but image quality is affected by artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transducer elements are divided into different subsets - linear array elements and phased array elements. The control circuitry can selectively activate specific subsets of elements depending on the desired imaging mode, allowing optimization of image quality by choosing the appropriate element configuration for different imaging scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuitry dynamically switches between linear array mode and phased array mode based on imaging requirements. The system can adaptively select which element subset to activate and how to configure the active elements, providing dynamic optimization of image quality for different clinical situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 efficient detection of tissues and organs with improved image quality by reducing operational complexity, hardware costs, and minimizing artifacts through a single probe solution.

Implementation Method 1

ultrasonic transducers are often employed for ultrasonic detection, so as to obtain images of diseased organs or tissues of human body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS20260069246A1Multi-purpose ultrasonic transducer

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 QISDA CORP

AI summary

An ultrasonic transducer is provided, which includes a first transducer and a second transducer. The first transducer includes several first array units arranged along a first direction to form a first array. The first direction is a direction of a long axis of the ultrasonic transducer. The second transducer includes several second array units arranged along the first direction to form a second array. The second array and the first array are interleaved and separated from each other. One of the second array units is sandwiched between adjacent two of the first array units. The first transducer and the second transducer have a common reference coordinate and have a function of a multi-focus lenses along the second direction. The second direction is a direction of a short axis of the ultrasonic transducer, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.