Staggered Ultrasonic Transducer Array for Lateral Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical ultrasound imaging systems suffer from weaker lateral resolution compared to axial resolution, leading to proportional distortion and errors in image representation, which affects medical diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic transducer array and ultrasound probe design that includes a staggered arrangement of first and second transducers, forming channels with different pitches and resolutions, allowing for simultaneous high-resolution scanning and reduction of proportional distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional ultrasound transducer array is used, then the system can perform basic ultrasound imaging, but the lateral resolution is weaker than the axial resolution causing proportional distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into two distinct groups: first transducers with smaller pitch for high lateral resolution and second transducers with larger pitch for broader coverage. This segmentation allows each group to optimize for different resolution requirements, resolving the contradiction between lateral resolution and proportional distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the transducer array are assigned different pitch characteristics. The first transducers are positioned with smaller pitch in regions requiring high lateral resolution, while the second transducers with larger pitch are positioned in regions requiring broader coverage. This local differentiation eliminates proportional distortion while maintaining high lateral resolution where needed.
2Measurement precision
If transducers are arranged with small pitch to improve lateral resolution, then lateral resolution improves, but the overall scan coverage and resolution balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-transducer array design enables the system to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the first transducers provide high lateral resolution for detailed imaging, while the second transducers provide broader scan coverage. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different imaging requirements without sacrificing either resolution or coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second dimension of transducer arrangement (the second transducers with different pitch) to complement the first dimension (first transducers with small pitch). This dimensional expansion allows the system to optimize both lateral resolution and scan coverage by utilizing the additional spatial arrangement 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 proposed design achieves high-resolution scan images while minimizing proportional distortion, thereby enhancing the accuracy of ultrasound imaging for medical diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer array and an ultrasound probe, which can simultaneously meet the requirement of a high-resolution scan image
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic transducer array including a plurality of transducers is provided. The transducers are arranged in an array along an arrangement direction and include a plurality of first transducers and a plurality of second transducers. Every two first transducers of the first transducers sequentially form a plurality of first channels along the arrangement direction. Every m second transducers of the second transducers sequentially form a plurality of second channels along the arrangement direction, where m≥2. The first transducers and the second transducers are arranged staggeredly along the arrangement direction. A first pitch between any two adjacent first channels in the first channels is less than a second pitch between any two adjacent second channels in the second channels. A resolution of the first channels being driven to scan is lower than a resolution of the second channels being driven to scan. An ultrasound probe is also provided.