Silicone Acoustic Lens Composition for Resolution and Probe Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic wave probes face challenges in achieving high-resolution imaging near the body surface, peeling from acoustic matching layers, and durability against body fluids, particularly gastric acid, which affect image focus and probe integrity.
Innovation Solution
A composition for an acoustic lens using polysiloxane with vinyl and Si—H groups, combined with surface-treated zinc oxide, forms a silicone resin with low acoustic velocity, strong adhesion to epoxy resin, and excellent durability against body fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the frequency of acoustic wave is increased to improve resolution, then image resolution is improved, but acoustic wave attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the acoustic velocity parameter of the lens material by selecting specific silicone resin formulations with acoustic velocities of 1450 m/s or lower. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high-resolution imaging at lower frequencies by shortening the focal length, thereby avoiding the high attenuation associated with high-frequency waves while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating an acoustic lens with specific regional properties - the lens portion has optimized acoustic velocity (1450 m/s or lower) compared to the surrounding matching layer, allowing focal length reduction and high-resolution imaging near the body surface without increasing overall system attenuation.
2Reliability
If silicone resin is used as acoustic lens material to match acoustic impedance with living body, then acoustic impedance matching is improved, but adhesion to acoustic matching layer deteriorates causing peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by formulating the acoustic lens with silicone resin combined with specific inorganic fillers (such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, or barium sulfate) at controlled concentrations. This composite structure maintains the acoustic impedance matching properties of silicone resin while the inorganic fillers enhance mechanical strength and adhesion to the acoustic matching layer, preventing peeling.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic velocity of acoustic lens is reduced to shorten focal length for high-resolution imaging, then image resolution is improved, but mechanical strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials containing inorganic fillers (titanium oxide, zinc oxide, or barium sulfate) within the silicone resin matrix. These fillers serve dual purposes: they reduce the acoustic velocity of the lens material to shorten focal length for high-resolution imaging, while simultaneously reinforcing the mechanical strength to prevent deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the concentration and particle size of inorganic fillers to achieve the desired acoustic velocity (1450 m/s or lower) while maintaining adequate mechanical strength. This parameter optimization allows the lens to achieve both high-resolution imaging capability and sufficient mechanical durability.
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 acoustic lens achieves reduced acoustic velocity, minimizes peeling from matching layers, and maintains durability against corrosive fluids, ensuring high-resolution imaging and probe integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a polysiloxane mixture containing at least a polysiloxane having a vinyl group and a phenyl group, a polysiloxane having two or more Si—H groups in a molecular chain thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for an acoustic lens contains the following components (A) to (C):(A) a polysiloxane having a vinyl group;(B) a polysiloxane having two or more Si—H groups in a molecular chain thereof; and(C) zinc oxide surface-treated with at least one surface treatment agent of an aminosilane compound, a mercaptosilane compound, an isocyanatosilane compound, a thiocyanatosilane compound, an aluminum alkoxide compound, a zirconium alkoxide compound, or a titanium alkoxide compound, provided that the aminosilane compound does not have a Si—N—Si structure.