Ultrasound Signal Coupler With Semi-Solid Acoustic Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound image-guided interventions face challenges in maintaining proper alignment between the needle path and the ultrasound image plane due to issues with fluid containment and air bubbles in the ultrasound signal path, leading to alignment difficulties and imaging artifacts.
Innovation Solution
A semi-solid gel-like acoustic medium, such as gelatin or agarose, is used to maintain a stable shape between the ultrasound emitter and the sensing surface, eliminating the need for fluid containment and reducing air bubbles, while optimizing acoustic coupling and minimizing signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid or viscous gel substance is used between the imaging head and the sensing surface, then acoustic coupling is improved, but the fluid tends to flow outside the path of the ultrasound signal and containment becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the acoustic medium from liquid/viscous to semi-solid/gelatinous. This parameter change allows the medium to maintain its shape and position between the imaging head and sensing surface while still providing adequate acoustic coupling, thereby eliminating the need for complex fluid containment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The gelatinous acoustic medium serves as an intermediary substance that fills the space between the imaging head and sensing surface. Unlike liquids that require containment, this semi-solid intermediary maintains its position through its own structural properties, simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable acoustic signal transmission.
2Reliability
If conventional gel or liquid substances are used, then acoustic signal transmission is enabled, but air bubbles are retained and interfere with US signal propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity and physical state parameters of the acoustic medium to a semi-solid gelatinous consistency. This parameter change creates a medium that is less prone to trapping air bubbles compared to liquids or viscous gels, as the gelatinous texture allows for better acoustic wave propagation through the medium without significant air bubble retention.
3Measurement precision
If the ultrasound imaging head emits normal to the imaged region, then images of targets below the skin can be rendered, but alignment with needle path becomes difficult in image-guided intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The gelatinous acoustic medium acts as a flexible intermediary that can be shaped and positioned to facilitate alignment between the ultrasound imaging head and the needle path. The semi-solid nature of the medium allows it to be molded into configurations that support proper alignment during image-guided interventions, improving ease of operation while maintaining image rendering capability.
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 solution enhances image quality by reducing reverberation artifacts and medium leakage, allowing for improved alignment and visibility of the needle path, thereby improving the clinical applicability of ultrasound image-guided procedures.
Implementation Method 1
An acoustic medium between the acoustic emitter and the sensing surface is engaged with the reflector for holding a physical gel-like form for mitigating signal abatement as the US sensing signal and plane passes through the acoustic medium
Implementation Method 2
a reflector aligned with the direction for receiving the US signal and reflecting the US signal towards a sensing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A reflectional ultrasound device and an acoustic medium for interference and artifact mitigation allows alternative orientation of ultrasound probes for aligning the probe with a sensing surface, a complementary cannula or needle or other position or angle offset from the intended imaging target. A gelatin or similar firm, non-fluid but sound-permeable material holds a shape for passing an ultrasound imaging signal from a transducer or emitter to an acoustic reflector for indirectly focusing onto an imaging target. Cumbersome or unreliable fluid containment is avoided, and the problematic movement of gel substances prone to air infiltration and inconsistent placement are averted. Ultrasound imagers may be oriented for emission parallel to a patient imaging surface, and reflected into internal anatomical structures without substantial interference or signal loss.