pMUT Ultrasound Imaging With Dynamic Channels for Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging devices face challenges with high power consumption, heat dissipation, and manufacturing costs due to bulky piezoelectric materials, leading to reduced battery life and increased operational burdens, while also struggling with clutter rejection in Doppler imaging and limited frame rates in duplex or triplex imaging modes.
Innovation Solution
The use of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (pMUTs) on semiconductor wafers with integrated application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) allows for adaptable power management, reduced heat generation, and improved imaging performance by dynamically controlling the number of transmit and receive channels, along with advanced clutter rejection techniques using high pass filters and low noise amplifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If bulky piezoelectric materials are used in ultrasound imaging devices, then imaging capability is achieved, but power consumption increases and heat dissipation problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical piezoelectric materials with piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (pMUTs) that are micromachined on semiconductor wafers. This substitution reduces the physical size and mass of the piezoelectric components while maintaining their imaging functionality, thereby reducing power consumption and heat generation without compromising battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the piezoelectric elements by micromachining them into miniaturized structures on semiconductor substrates. This parameter change from bulk materials to micromachined structures reduces the amount of piezoelectric material required, directly addressing power consumption and heat dissipation issues while preserving imaging capability
2Measurement precision
If all transmit and receive channels are activated simultaneously, then imaging quality is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel selection where the number of active transmit and receive channels is adjusted based on imaging requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to activate only the necessary number of channels for each imaging task, optimizing the balance between imaging quality and power consumption rather than continuously operating all channels at full capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by dynamically controlling the number of active channels. This parameter adjustment allows flexible optimization of power consumption while maintaining sufficient imaging quality by activating only the minimum necessary channels for each specific imaging scenario
3Measurement precision
If high power is used for imaging, then image quality is improved, but temperature limits are exceeded and safety standards are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional high-power piezoelectric transducers with micromachined pMUTs that operate at lower power levels. This substitution inherently reduces the power required for imaging, allowing high-quality images to be obtained without exceeding temperature limits or compromising safety standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power parameters by using micromachined structures that require lower operating voltages and currents. This parameter change enables the system to maintain high image quality while operating within safe temperature boundaries, avoiding thermal damage and compliance issues
4Adaptability or versatility
If duplex or triplex imaging modes are used, then comprehensive imaging capability is achieved, but frame rates are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel allocation for duplex and triplex imaging modes, where channels are dynamically assigned and shared between different imaging functions. This dynamic resource management allows the system to maintain comprehensive imaging capability while improving frame rates by efficiently utilizing available channels rather than operating all channels continuously at reduced speeds
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 enables high-quality 2D and 3D imaging with reduced power consumption, extended battery life, and compliance with temperature limits, while maintaining image quality and safety standards, and enhances Doppler signal detection by minimizing clutter and optimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
Transducers in ultrasonic imagers transmit an ultrasonic beam towards the target to be imaged and a signal from the reflected waveform is used to create an image
Implementation Method 2
blood flow, velocity and direction of flow is measured using Doppler shift principles
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging device includes a transducer that includes an array of piezoelectric elements formed on a substrate. Each piezoelectric element includes at least one membrane suspended from the substrate, at least one bottom electrode disposed on the membrane, at least one piezoelectric layer disposed on the bottom electrode, and at least one top electrode disposed on the at least one piezoelectric layer. Adjacent piezoelectric elements are configured to be isolated acoustically from each other. The device is utilized to measure flow or flow along with imaging anatomy.