Micro-Beam-Former Ultrasound Catheter Assembly for Low Wire Count 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraluminal imaging catheters, such as ICE catheters, face challenges with high wire counts leading to increased cost, manufacturing difficulties, compromised image quality, and susceptibility to noise interference due to the use of unshielded wires, while also lacking the capability for high-quality 3D imaging.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound assembly with an integrated circuit (IC) that reduces the number of wires required by implementing micro-beam-forming directly on the transducer elements, allowing for 3D imaging and using coaxial cables, with simplified interconnects and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a phased array transducer with many individual transducers is used, then 3D imaging capability is achieved, but the number of wires required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transducer elements are electrically connected in groups where elements within each group share a common signal line. This merging approach allows the phased array transducer to maintain 3D imaging capability while significantly reducing the total number of wires required, as each signal line serves multiple transducer elements rather than requiring individual wires for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array transducer is divided into multiple groups or subsets of elements, where each group is assigned to a specific signal line. This segmentation strategy organizes the large number of transducer elements into manageable groups, enabling 3D imaging functionality while reducing wire count by sharing signal lines across segmented groups.
2Ease of manufacture
If individual wires are used for each transducer element, then signal transmission is straightforward, but crosstalk between signal channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple transducer elements onto shared signal lines, the system reduces the total number of signal channels, which in turn reduces the amount of crosstalk between channels. Although individual element resolution is maintained through electronic beamforming, the physical reduction in wire count directly decreases inter-channel interference and crosstalk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual wires are used for each transducer element, then each element can be independently controlled, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transducer elements onto shared signal lines, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and wire interconnection requirements. Independent element control is preserved through electronic beamforming techniques that can selectively activate and control individual elements or groups of elements software-defined, even though they share physical signal lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wire-based control system with an electronic/software-based control system. Instead of requiring individual physical wires for each transducer element, the system uses electronic signal processing and software-defined beamforming to achieve independent element control, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining functionality.
4Reliability
If individual wires are used for each transducer element, then signal integrity is maintained, but the catheter diameter must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple transducer elements onto shared signal lines, the system reduces the number of wires that must be contained within the catheter. This consolidation allows the catheter diameter to be reduced while still maintaining adequate signal integrity through the fewer, shared signal pathways.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If coaxial cables are used for wire insulation, then noise interference is reduced, but the wire count must be low to fit within the catheter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transducer elements onto shared signal lines, creating a low wire-count architecture that enables the use of coaxial cables. The reduced number of signal channels makes it feasible to implement shielded coaxial cable connections, thereby reducing noise interference while maintaining compatibility with the catheter's physical constraints.
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 high-quality 2D and 3D imaging with improved reliability, reduced manufacturing costs, and decreased susceptibility to noise interference by utilizing fewer wires and coaxial cables, enhancing the overall performance of intraluminal imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
ICE transducers may use a phased array sensor comprising many small individual transducers, each with a separate wire connecting the catheter to the imaging console
Implementation Method 2
The micro-beam-former IC includes a plurality of microchannels that may separately beam-form signals received from imaging elements
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging assembly for an intraluminal imaging device is provided. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes an imaging array positioned at a distal portion of the intraluminal imaging device. The imaging array may have a plurality of imaging elements arranged into subarrays. The imaging assembly also may include a micro-beam-former integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the imaging array at the distal portion of the intraluminal imaging device. The micro-beam-former IC includes a plurality of microchannels that may separately beam-form signals received from imaging elements of at least two subarrays. The imaging assembly further includes two or more signal lines that may couple to the micro beam-former IC. Each signal line may correspond to a specific subarray and may receive the beam-formed signals specific to corresponding subarray.