Tilted Transducer Array for Deep Puncture Needle Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound probes struggle to clearly image and accurately locate puncture needles in deep regions of a subject, especially when the needle is inserted at angles greater than 30°, resulting in attenuated ultrasound images that make it difficult to perform precise punctures.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound probe with a tilted transducer array and an acoustic lens, combined with a wedge-shaped filling member, is designed to improve directivity and reduce sensitivity loss, allowing clearer imaging of puncture needles at various angles by adjusting the array angle and using a sound matching layer to enhance signal reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the transducer array is arranged perpendicular to the subject contact surface, then the ultrasound image quality is good for shallow regions and small insertion angles, but the image attenuates significantly for deep regions and large insertion angles (50°-60°)
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is tilted at a predetermined array angle θ with respect to the subject contact surface, creating an asymmetric arrangement. This asymmetry allows the ultrasonic waves to be transmitted at an optimized angle that reduces attenuation for deep region imaging while maintaining adequate image quality for puncture needle detection at various insertion angles
Solution Approach 2:
The array angle θ is specifically optimized based on the relationship between wavelength λ, element array pitch a, and the directivity function D(θ). By adjusting this parameter, the system achieves improved signal reception for deep regions while maintaining performance for shallow regions and various puncture angles
2Loss of energy
If the transducer array is tilted at a large array angle to improve deep region imaging, then the ultrasound signal attenuation is reduced, but the directivity and beam control become less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The array angle θ is optimized within a specific range (5°-30°) based on the directivity function D(θ) = {(sin x)/x}·cos θ where x=(πa/λ)·sin θ. This parameter optimization balances the reduction of signal attenuation with the maintenance of adequate beam directivity and control
Solution Approach 2:
An acoustic lens is introduced as an intermediary component between the transducer array and the subject. The acoustic lens focuses and shapes the ultrasonic beams, compensating for the reduced directivity control that occurs at tilted array angles, thereby maintaining reliable beam control while enabling improved deep region imaging
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound probe for a puncture needle and an ultrasound diagnostic device using the same are disclosed. The ultrasound probe for the puncture needle transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject from a transducer array which is arranged so as to be tilted at a predetermined array angle of inclination with respect to a subject contact surface, in a direction in which an angle of an ultrasonic wave transmission/reception surface with respect to a puncturing direction of the puncture needle punctured from a puncture position toward the front of the subject contact surface decreases, receives ultrasonic echoes, forms sound ray signals which are tilted to a side of the puncture needle, and generates a B mode image of a deep region of the subject from the sound ray signals.