Ultrasound Probe Relay Clocking for Small-Diameter Beam Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of incorporating a clock generator into the small-diameter tip portion of a body cavity insertion-type ultrasound probe, such as an IVUS probe, due to practical limitations, and the issues of clock waveform attenuation or complexity in long-distance transmission from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body.
Innovation Solution
A relay device is introduced that generates a probe clock between the probe and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body, using a first and second cable to supply a first and second probe clock with different frequencies for beam forming, and includes a circuit to identify and manage these clocks, thereby preventing an increase in cable thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clock generator is incorporated into the electronic circuit in the tip portion of the probe, then the clock can be generated locally for beam forming, but the diameter of the tip portion is extremely small making it impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The clock generation function is extracted from the probe tip portion and relocated to the relay device positioned between the probe and the main body. This allows the probe to maintain its small diameter while still having access to a stable clock signal for beam forming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device serves as an intermediary component that receives the original clock from the main body and generates the probe clock locally. This intermediary structure enables clock generation near the probe without requiring the probe itself to contain the clock generator.
2Ease of operation
If the clock is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the electronic circuit over a long distance, then the clock can be supplied to the probe, but attenuation or distortion of the clock waveform occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device acts as an intermediary that regenerates the clock signal between the main body and the probe. This intermediate regeneration point compensates for attenuation and distortion that occur during long-distance transmission, ensuring reliable clock supply to the probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device performs preliminary clock generation based on the original clock from the main body, preparing a fresh clock signal before it reaches the probe. This preliminary action prevents the propagation of degraded clock waveforms through the entire transmission path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of clocks are supplied to the electronic circuit, then various clock frequencies can be provided for different operations, but the configuration and control of the apparatus main body becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The complexity of managing multiple clock types is extracted from the apparatus main body and relocated to the relay device. The main body simply provides the original clock, while the relay device handles the generation and distribution of different clock frequencies for various probe operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple clock frequencies. It receives the original clock from the main body and generates appropriate probe clocks for different operations, shielding the main body from the complexity of clock management.
4Speed
If the clock is transmitted according to standard LVDS for high speed data transmission, then high speed transmission is achieved, but the size of the electronic circuit or power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device acts as an intermediary that generates the probe clock at an appropriate frequency for beam forming operations. This intermediate generation approach allows high-speed transmission requirements to be met without forcing the entire electronic circuit to operate at maximum speed, thereby reducing overall circuit size and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay module is connected to a console via a cable and is connected to a transducer module in a body cavity insertion-type probe via a cable. The relay module includes a clock generation unit that generates a high frequency clock based on a low-frequency clock output from the console. The transducer module included in the probe executes signal processing for transmission beam forming based on a high frequency clock from the relay device.