Point-Source Ultrasound Transducer for High-Frame-Rate 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanline-based ultrasound imaging systems face limitations in temporal and spatial resolution, imaging depth, speckle noise, and frame-rate constraints, particularly when attempting to capture 3D or 4D images of moving objects.
Innovation Solution
The use of apparent point-source transducers in combination with multiple aperture ultrasound imaging systems allows for high-frame-rate, high-resolution 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals through multiple spatially separated acoustic windows, using ping-based techniques that insonify the entire volume with a single ping and apply dynamic beamforming to identify echo returns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If scanline-based ultrasound imaging is used to obtain complete 3D volume images, then imaging depth and coverage are improved, but frame rate deteriorates significantly due to the need to image many 2D slices
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging volume is segmented into multiple sub-volumes or regions that can be imaged in parallel using multiple transmit apertures. Each aperture captures a portion of the 3D volume simultaneously, reducing the total number of sequential operations required and thereby increasing frame rate while maintaining complete volume coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional 2D slice-by-slice imaging to true 3D volumetric imaging by utilizing multiple transmit and receive apertures arranged in three-dimensional space. This enables simultaneous capture of spatial information across the entire volume, eliminating the sequential time penalty associated with acquiring multiple 2D slices.
2Measurement precision
If multiple aperture imaging is used to improve spatial resolution, then manufacturing complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each transducer element in the array is designed to perform both transmit and receive functions, and can be dynamically assigned to different aperture configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same physical hardware to achieve multiple aperture imaging without requiring separate dedicated transmit and receive arrays, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures which elements form transmit apertures and which form receive apertures on a pulse-by-pulse basis. This dynamic aperture synthesis allows flexible optimization of spatial resolution for different imaging scenarios without requiring fixed complex hardware configurations, simplifying the overall device design.
3Loss of time
If conventional phased-array transmission is used to localize ultrasonic signals, then temporal resolution improves, but lateral resolution and speckle noise deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the advantages of conventional phased-array temporal resolution with multi-aperture spatial resolution by combining data from multiple transmit-aperture/receive-aperture pairs. Each pair provides temporally resolved data, and their combination through coherent integration enhances lateral resolution and reduces speckle noise while preserving temporal information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that all transducer elements are actively participating in data acquisition during each pulse sequence. Multiple overlapping apertures ensure that no spatial information is lost, providing continuous coverage that improves lateral resolution and reduces speckle through diverse sampling paths while maintaining the temporal resolution of the pulse-echo sequence.
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 significantly improves image quality and frame rates, enabling real-time imaging of moving objects and structures by increasing the resolution and reducing the time required to collect data, making it suitable for imaging tissues like the heart and joints.
Implementation Method 1
a two-dimensional array of piezoelectric transducer elements
Implementation Method 2
The transducer array has a curvature such that ultrasonic energy is focused into a beam
Implementation Method 3
echoes returned along the same line are detected and plotted to form a portion of an image
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ultrasound imaging system is described. The system comprises: a first apparent point-source transmit transducer that is shaped as a spherical section having a spherical center point and is configured to transmit a three-dimensional semi-spherical pulse into a target object to be imaged; a first plurality of receive transducer elements that are configured to receive echoes of the three-dimensional semi-spherical pulse; a second plurality of receive transducer elements that are configured to receive echoes of the three-dimensional semi-spherical pulse; and a controller. The controller is configured to control transmission of the three-dimensional semi-spherical pulse and to determine a position of reflectors within the object based on a known position of the spherical center point of the apparent point-source transmit transducer, known positions of the elements of the first and second pluralities of receive transducer elements, a time at which the three-dimensional semi-spherical pulse was transmitted, and times at which the echoes are received.