Porous Ceramic Cone Target for KW-Level HIFU Power Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorption targets for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are limited in measuring power beyond 100 W, failing to meet the demands for KW-level HIFU applications due to inadequate sound power measurement accuracy and thermal dissipation issues in deep-seated tumors.

Innovation Solution

An absorption target comprising a cone target cluster made of inorganic solid materials with open micropores, submerged in a liquid medium, designed to minimize sound reflections and maximize thermal conductivity, allowing for accurate measurement of KW-level HIFU power with a reflection coefficient below -30dB and stable performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional absorption targets are used for measuring sound power, then measurement can be performed at low power levels (around 100 W), but the measurement accuracy and reliability deteriorate when attempting to measure high-power HIFU (KW-level) due to inadequate thermal dissipation and excessive heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound power measurement accuracyVSAvoidtarget heating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption target uses porous ceramic materials with controlled pore structures to absorb ultrasonic energy and facilitate heat dissipation through the porous network, preventing excessive temperature rise while maintaining measurement accuracy at KW power levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The target employs composite structures combining different ceramic materials with complementary properties - some layers optimized for acoustic absorption while others provide thermal conductivity and structural stability, enabling simultaneous accurate measurement and thermal management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If the absorption target material has high thermal conductivity to dissipate heat, then thermal dissipation improves, but the material becomes more susceptible to thermal expansion and deformation under high-power ultrasound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial dimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The porous ceramic structure provides thermal dissipation pathways while the porous network accommodates thermal expansion, reducing stress and deformation. The open pore structure allows heat to dissipate through conduction, convection, and radiation simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The material parameters are optimized by controlling pore size distribution, porosity percentage, and material composition to achieve the right balance between thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient, ensuring stability under operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the absorption target is designed to minimize sound reflections for accurate measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but the target structure becomes more complex requiring precise geometric control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound power measurement accuracyVSAvoidtarget geometric precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The porous ceramic material inherently provides acoustic absorption through multiple scattering and absorption mechanisms within the pore structure, reducing the need for complex external geometric features. The absorption occurs throughout the bulk material rather than requiring precise surface geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The target uses homogeneous porous ceramic material with uniform pore distribution throughout, providing consistent acoustic absorption properties without requiring complex layered structures or precise geometric variations, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 absorption target effectively measures KW-level HIFU power with superior physical properties and long service life, ensuring accurate power measurement and overcoming the limitations of existing targets by using inorganic materials with high thermal conductivity and open micropores.

Implementation Method 1

Open micropores are densely distributed inside the basic units of the absorption target... it may be possible for sound waves incident upon the cone target cluster to escape into space outside of the cone target cluster only in case of at least two reflections or scatterings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

DE 19836727A1 relates to the measurement of ultrasonic power with thermo-acoustic sensors... the basic material for making the container is an inorganic solid material with high thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermo-acoustic effect: Thermoacoustic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2503308B1Absorption target for measuring power of high-intensity focused ultrasound
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 NANJING HAIKE MEDICAL EQUIP
  • EP2503308B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2503308B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2503308B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An absorption target for measuring power of high-intensity focused ultrasound, comprising a container (2) and a cone target cluster (5). The cone target cluster (5) consists of basic units (1) with the same geometrical shape. The upper part of each basic unit (1) is a pyramid (3), and the lower part of each basic unit (1) is a prismatic base (4). The vertexes of respective side surfaces of the pyramid (3) converge at a perpendicular bisector of the prismatic base (4) to form a cone vertex and the cross sections of the pyramid (3) and the base (4) are squares, regular triangles or regular hexagons. The bases (4) of the basic units (1) are seamlessly and tightly arrayed at the bottom in the container (2). It may be possible for sound waves of an incident cone target cluster (5) to escape into space outside the cone target cluster (5) only in case of at least twice reflections or scatterings. Open micropores are densely distributed inside the basic units (1) of the cone target cluster (5).