Ultrasound Probe Parallel Transducers Frequency Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging devices face challenges in obtaining high-quality ultrasound images due to the inability to receive all frequency components of the reflected signals, leading to image deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A probe with multiple transducers having parallel center axes, configured to receive ultrasound signals of different frequency ranges, is used. The probe includes a beamformer, communication module, and processor to control the transducers, transmit and receive signals, and generate ultrasound data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single transducer with a designated frequency band is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to receive all frequency components
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into multiple transducers, each responsible for receiving specific frequency components. The first transducer receives fundamental frequency components while the second transducer receives harmonic frequency components, allowing comprehensive frequency coverage without requiring a single complex transducer
Solution Approach 2:
Each transducer is designed with multi-functionality to handle different frequency ranges. The transducers can selectively receive different frequency components (fundamental and harmonic) from the ultrasound signal, enabling the probe to perform comprehensive frequency analysis using multiple specialized components
2Measurement precision
If multiple transducers with different frequency ranges are used, then the measurement precision improves by receiving all frequency components, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each transducer is optimized for its specific frequency range with tailored characteristics. The first transducer is configured for fundamental frequency reception while the second transducer is configured for harmonic frequency reception, allowing each component to excel at its designated function
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transducers are combined in the probe assembly, each contributing different frequency components to the overall ultrasound signal. The fundamental frequency components from the first transducer and harmonic frequency components from the second transducer are merged to create a complete frequency spectrum
3Productivity
If only fundamental frequency components are received, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to loss of harmonic information
Solution Approach 1:
The probe performs preliminary frequency separation by using multiple transducers to capture both fundamental and harmonic frequency components simultaneously at the source, rather than requiring complex post-processing to extract harmonic information from a single transducer's output
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 proposed solution enables the probe to receive and synthesize a wide range of frequency components, improving the quality of ultrasound images by providing both high-penetration and high-resolution images.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasound imaging device irradiates an ultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe to an object, receives information from a signal reflected from the object
Implementation Method 2
receives information from a signal reflected from the object
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Provided are a probe and a control method of the probe. In detail, provided are a probe and a control method of the probe, the probe including a plurality of transducers having parallel center axes, a beamformer configured to control the plurality of transducers, a communication module, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to transmit a transmission signal by using at least one of the plurality of transducers, receive, by using the plurality of transducers, a plurality of frequency components generated due to the transmission signal, generate ultrasound data, based on the plurality of frequency components received by the plurality of transducers, and control the communication module to transmit the ultrasound data to an ultrasound imaging device.