Mixed Sensor Array for Acousto-Optic Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound transducers in imaging technologies face limitations such as narrow bandwidth, low sensitivity, and operational constraints, particularly in harmonic imaging, which restrict their effectiveness in achieving high-quality imaging with improved spatial resolution and penetration depth.
Innovation Solution
The integration of mixed arrays comprising non-optical sensors like piezoelectric transducers and optical sensors like whispering gallery mode resonators, which combine signals to form a synthesized aperture, enhancing sensitivity and bandwidth, and allowing for improved image formation through phase, frequency, and amplitude matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If piezoelectric transducer materials are used, then ultrasound transmission capability is improved, but bandwidth is limited to about 70-80%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines piezoelectric transducers and optical resonators into a hybrid array system. The piezoelectric elements provide strong ultrasound transmission capability while the optical resonators provide high bandwidth and sensitivity for signal detection, achieving both high power and wide bandwidth simultaneously through the merging of two different transducer technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite array structure integrating two different transducer material systems (piezoelectric and optical). This composite approach allows the system to leverage the advantages of each material type - the high transmission power of piezoelectric materials and the high bandwidth of optical resonators - to overcome the limitations of using either material alone.
2Power
If single crystal materials are used, then ultrasound probe performance is improved, but Curie temperature decreases and brittleness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges piezoelectric transducers with optical resonators in a hybrid array. This combination allows the system to achieve high ultrasound probe performance through the piezoelectric elements while the optical resonators provide complementary detection capabilities, distributing the functional requirements to reduce stress on any single material system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical piezoelectric transduction with a hybrid system that incorporates optical sensing. The optical resonators detect acoustic echoes through optical means rather than purely mechanical piezoelectric effect, reducing the thermal and mechanical stress burden on the piezoelectric materials and improving overall system reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If CMUT probes are used, then bandwidth is increased, but sensitivity and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CMUT elements with optical resonators in a hybrid array configuration. The CMUTs provide wide bandwidth capability while the optical resonators contribute high sensitivity for acoustic echo detection. By merging these two transducer types, the system achieves both the bandwidth advantages of CMUTs and the sensitivity advantages of optical sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality differentiation within the array by assigning specific functional roles to different element types. CMUT elements are optimized for broadband reception while optical resonator elements are optimized for high-sensitivity detection, allowing each local region of the array to excel at its specialized function rather than requiring all elements to perform all functions equally.
4Device complexity
If conventional single-type sensor arrays are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but imaging resolution and sensitivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges non-optical sensors (piezoelectric transducers or CMUTs) with optical sensors (optical resonators) into a unified hybrid array system. This merging enables the system to achieve superior imaging resolution and sensitivity by combining the complementary strengths of different sensing modalities while maintaining a relatively integrated and manageable system architecture.
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 increases the aperture size and frame rate of ultrasound imaging, improves image quality by enabling dynamic focusing, and enhances sensitivity and resolution, overcoming the limitations of traditional transducers.
Implementation Method 1
optical resonators that are sensitive to acoustic echoes
Implementation Method 2
optical resonators such as whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical resonators
Implementation Method 3
non-optical sensors such as an acoustic transducer (e.g., piezoelectric transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A method of acousto-optic imaging may include receiving a first signal from a first sub-aperture of a sensor array. The first sub-aperture may comprise one or more array elements of a first type. The method may further include receiving a second signal from a second sub-aperture of the sensor array. The second sub-aperture may comprise one or more array elements of a second type different from the first type. In some variations, the first type of array element may be an acoustic transducer (e.g., piezoelectric transducer) and/or the second type of array element may be an optical sensor (e.g., optical resonator such as a whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator). The method may further include combining the first signal and the second signal to form a synthesized aperture for the sensor array.