Multi-layer Phase Modulation Acoustic Lens for Ultrasound Reverberation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hard-shell ultrasonic probe lenses increase internal reflectivity, leading to reverberations and artifacts in ultrasound images.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer phase modulation acoustic lens with varying thickness and textured surfaces to introduce phase modulation, reducing reverberations by causing deconstructive interference of echo waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard-shell lens is used in an ultrasonic probe, then chemical barrier improvement, robustness, reliability, and reduction of high-frequency acoustic loss are achieved, but internal reflectivity increases causing reverberation artifacts in ultrasound images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific optical profiles (inner and outer) at different regions of the lens. The lens has a non-uniform thickness distribution with varying curvature radii at different zones, allowing different parts of the lens to perform different functions: the central region maintains acoustic transmission while the peripheral regions are designed to redirect reverberating waves away from the transducer array, thus reducing internal reflectivity while maintaining overall reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful reverberation effect into a beneficial outcome by designing the optical profiles to redirect reverberating waves. Instead of allowing reverberations to bounce back to the transducer array and create artifacts, the curved surfaces are specifically shaped to redirect these waves away from the array, transforming the harmful internal reflectivity into a feature that reduces artifacts and improves image quality
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the lens body thickness varies from optical lens axis to periphery, then phase modulation is achieved to reduce reverberations, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spheroidality by defining the inner and outer optical profiles using spherical curvature radii. The inner surface has a first curvature radius and the outer surface has a second curvature radius, both centered on or near the optical lens axis. This curved geometry naturally creates the required phase modulation through varying thickness while being manufacturable using standard lens fabrication techniques for spherical or aspherical surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by specifying particular curvature radius values and thickness variations across the lens aperture. The inner optical profile uses a first curvature radius and the outer optical profile uses a second curvature radius, with the thickness varying systematically from the optical axis to the periphery. These controlled parameter changes achieve the desired phase modulation effect while maintaining manufacturability through defined geometric parameters
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 lens effectively attenuates reverberations, improving ultrasound image quality by reducing unwanted artifacts and enhancing contrast.
Implementation Method 1
A thickness of the lens body as measured from the inner surface to the outer surface varies from an optical lens axis to the periphery such that the lens body is configured with an inner optical profile and an outer optical profile to phase modulate ultrasonic waves incident upon the lens body
Implementation Method 2
reducing reverberations by causing deconstructive interference of echo waves
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic probe lens comprising a lens body comprising a solid material extending outward from an optical lens axis to a periphery, an inner surface of the lens body, and an outer surface of the lens body. A thickness of the lens body as measured from the inner surface to the outer surface varies from an optical lens axis to the periphery such that the lens body is configured with an inner optical profile and an outer optical profile to phase modulate the ultrasonic waves incident upon the lens body to reduce reverberations.