Non-diffracting Acoustic Beam Generation via ADAPT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound beams used in shear wave imaging, such as ARFI, have limited focal zones and insufficient acoustic intensity in near and far fields, making them inadequate for applications like liver fibrosis imaging, due to fixed longitudinal pressure distributions and difficulty in controlling acoustic profiles over propagation paths.
Innovation Solution
The generation of flexible non-diffracting acoustic beams with extended focal zones and depth of field, achieved through acoustic diffraction-resistant adaptive profile technology (ADAPT), which allows for arbitrary longitudinal pressure distributions and is formed by multiplexing multiple acoustic beam components with determined apodization and delay functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ultrasound beams (ARFI) are used, then the imaging process is simple, but the focal zone is limited and acoustic intensity is insufficient in near and far fields
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound beam is segmented into multiple beam components (e.g., multiple focal zones or multiple plane waves) that are transmitted sequentially or in parallel. Each component contributes to the overall beam energy distribution, allowing extended high-intensity regions in near and far fields while maintaining operational simplicity through automated beamforming control.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple acoustic beam components are merged or superimposed to form a composite non-diffracting beam. This combining of multiple beams with different focal characteristics creates an extended region of high acoustic intensity that covers near field, focal zone, and far field simultaneously, while the system operation remains simple through integrated beamforming hardware.
2Device complexity
If conventional ultrasound beams are used, then the device complexity is low, but the depth of field and focal zone are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming system dynamically adjusts transmit delays and apodization weights for each beam component based on desired focal zones and depth regions. This dynamic control enables extended depth of field by adapting the acoustic profile to maintain focus across near, mid, and far fields, while the complexity is managed through programmable beamforming circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic beam parameters (transmit delay, apodization function, focal depth, beam width) are changed across multiple beam components to create a composite beam with extended depth of field. Each component uses different parameter settings optimized for specific depth regions, and their superposition achieves uniform focus across the entire imaging depth range.
3Ease of operation
If conventional beams with fixed longitudinal pressure distributions are used, then the system is easy to control, but the acoustic profile cannot be controlled over propagation paths
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the acoustic beam (near field, focal zone, far field) are assigned different local quality characteristics through separate beam components. Each component is optimized for its specific propagation region with tailored apodization and delay functions, allowing independent control of acoustic profiles in different spatial zones while maintaining overall system controllability through modular beamforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmit delays and apodization functions for each beam component are pre-calculated and stored based on desired acoustic profiles and propagation paths. This preliminary computation enables real-time flexible control of the composite beam profile without complex real-time calculations, achieving adaptability through pre-planned parameter sets that can be selected and applied as needed.
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 enhances the region of high intensity, providing a broader effective imaging area with improved shear-wave speed mapping and inclusion delineation, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional beams.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe comprising a plurality of transducer elements emits ultrasonic pulses which reflect or echo, refract, or are absorbed by structures in the body
Implementation Method 2
controlling the ultrasound transducer to transmit the acoustic beam by sending electrical signals to the plurality of transducer elements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for transmitting non-diffracting acoustic beams are presented herein. In one example, a method for transmitting a non-diffracting acoustic beam with an ultrasound transducer that includes a plurality of transducer elements includes determining a transmit delay function and a transmit apodization function for the ultrasound transducer based on a target axial pressure profile for the acoustic beam for a given configuration of the ultrasound transducer and controlling the ultrasound transducer to transmit the acoustic beam by sending electrical signals to the plurality of transducer elements based on the transmit delay function and the transmit apodization function.