Phased Array Ultrasonic Sensor for Endoscopic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld instruments for endoscopic surgery face challenges in mounting ultrasonic sensors due to limited footprint, leading to reduced spatial resolution and increased risk of the instrument getting caught during insertion, which compromises operability.
Innovation Solution
A handheld instrument with a phased array ultrasonic sensor mounted on a jaw, featuring a flexible printed circuit board for signal wiring and a protective member to prevent noise, and a design that reduces the thickness of the acoustic lens and backing layer to minimize height and enhance spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an ultrasonic sensor is mounted on the handheld instrument with a footprint of 2 mm×10 mm, then it is unnecessary to provide a separate port for the sensor, but the spatial resolution is reduced due to reduced opening diameter and increased beam spread
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic sensor is divided into a phased array of multiple small transducer elements (e.g., 64 elements) arranged in a linear pattern. Each element can be independently controlled to emit and receive ultrasonic waves, allowing the system to synthesize focused beams through phase and amplitude modulation of individual elements, thereby achieving high spatial resolution despite the small overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the ultrasonic sensor by using a high center frequency (e.g., 20 MHz or higher) and implementing dynamic focusing through phase control of the phased array elements. This allows the system to achieve high spatial resolution by electronically steering and focusing the ultrasonic beam without requiring a larger physical aperture.
2Measurement precision
If the thickness of the ultrasonic transducer array is large, then the imaging function is improved, but the handheld instrument gets caught when being taken in and out from a trocar, significantly reducing operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional two-dimensional array configuration to a one-dimensional linear phased array configuration. This dimensional reduction allows the sensor to achieve sufficient imaging capability with a much smaller thickness profile, enabling the handheld instrument to pass through trocars without getting caught while maintaining adequate spatial resolution through sophisticated signal processing of the linear array data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves high imaging quality with reduced thickness by using high-frequency ultrasonic waves (20 MHz or higher) and implementing advanced beamforming algorithms that compensate for the reduced aperture size. The phase control of individual array elements allows electronic focusing at various depths, maintaining imaging quality without requiring a thick transducer array.
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 solution provides a handheld instrument with improved spatial resolution for ultrasonic imaging, ensuring convenient use and reduced risk of getting caught during insertion, thus enhancing operability and convenience in endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A phased array ultrasonic sensor in which a phased array includes an ultrasonic transducer is capable of generating an ultrasonic image with a high spatial resolution
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic sensor for the ultrasonic imaging includes many (e.g., dozens to thousands) ultrasonic transducers
Implementation Method 3
ultrasonic waves are irradiated onto an observation object from an ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic transducer array, and the ultrasonic probe detects reflected waves therefrom to generate an ultrasonic image
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld instrument for endoscope surgery includes a shaft, a jaw, a handle, a phased array ultrasonic sensor, and a signal wiring. The jaw is placed at one end of the shaft and has a holding function. The handle is placed at the other end of the shaft and includes an operation mechanism for operating the jaw. The phased array ultrasonic sensor is mounted on the jaw and has an imaging function. The signal wiring is provided to the shaft and connects the ultrasonic sensor and the handle.