Mixed Transducer Array Compounding for Broad-Bandwidth Ultrasound Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound transducers, such as piezoelectric materials and CMUT probes, have limitations in bandwidth, sensitivity, and operational reliability, making them unsuitable for high-quality imaging, particularly in harmonic imaging.
Innovation Solution
A mixed transducer array combining non-optical transducers like piezoelectric or CMUTs with optical sensors, such as whispering gallery mode optical resonators, to generate and compound images, utilizing different types of optical sensors with varying quality factors and tunability to enhance imaging performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If piezoelectric materials (PZT) are used in ultrasound transducers, then the transducer can be manufactured with standard materials and processes, but the bandwidth is limited to only about 70%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transducer types (piezoelectric PZT elements and optical resonator elements) within a single array to achieve both manufacturability and high bandwidth. The piezoelectric elements provide robust manufacturing and harmonic imaging capability, while the optical resonator elements provide ultra-broad bandwidth (>90%) and high sensitivity, and their signals are compounded to create the final image.
2Measurement precision
If single crystal materials are used to improve ultrasound transducer performance, then the bandwidth and sensitivity increase, but the materials become brittle and have lower Curie temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines single crystal or composite PZT elements (which provide high sensitivity and bandwidth) with optical resonator elements (which provide mechanical reliability and brittleness resistance). The optical resonators are less susceptible to mechanical failure, and the compounding of signals from both transducer types achieves high measurement precision while maintaining system reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If CMUT probes are used to increase bandwidth, then the operational bandwidth improves, but the sensitivity and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CMUT elements (which provide increased bandwidth) with optical resonator elements (which provide high sensitivity and reliability). The optical resonators detect acoustic waves through optical interference with ultra-high sensitivity, compensating for the lower sensitivity of CMUTs, while the CMUTs contribute their broad bandwidth capability.
4Measurement precision
If a mixed transducer array with multiple sensor types is used to improve imaging performance, then bandwidth and sensitivity increase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal signal processing framework that handles multiple transducer types through a unified beamforming and image compounding algorithm. The system processes signals from piezoelectric, optical resonator, and CMUT elements using the same computational pipeline, allowing the mixed array to function as a cohesive multi-functional imaging system rather than separate systems.
5Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to achieve high sensitivity and broad bandwidth, then imaging performance improves, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electronic signal processing with optical detection methods. Optical resonators detect acoustic waves through optical interference, converting mechanical/acoustic energy directly into optical signals that can be processed with high sensitivity. This substitution eliminates some electronic noise and provides broader bandwidth, though it introduces optical system complexity.
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
The mixed transducer array achieves improved spatial resolution, contrast resolution, penetration depth, signal-to-noise ratio, and Doppler sensitivity, producing compound images with better quality and a more comprehensive understanding of the imaging target.
Implementation Method 1
The optical sensor may include, for example, a whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical resonator
Implementation Method 2
some ultrasound transducers are made of piezoelectric material, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT)
Implementation Method 3
Another type of transducer material is silicon, which can be processed to build Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasound Transducer (CMUT) probes
Data Source
AI summary
A method of imaging may include receiving a first signal from one or more array elements of a first type in a mixed transducer array, receiving a second signal from one or more array elements of a second type in the mixed transducer array where at least one of the first type and the second type is an optical sensor, generating a first image from the first signal and a second image from the second signal, and combining the first image and the second image to generate a compound image.