Ultrasound Transducer Array Tilted Elements Abdomen Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
The curvature of the maternal abdomen limits the overall field of view of ultrasound transducer arrays, causing ultrasound beams to converge and overlap, which reduces the effectiveness of fetal heart rate monitoring and increases the acoustic dose.
Innovation Solution
The transducer elements are embedded in the array at specific tilting angles to counteract the curvature of the abdomen, increasing the overall field of view and reducing beam overlap by positioning them opposite to the curvature, allowing for continuous fetal heart rate monitoring and improved coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transducer elements are arranged perpendicular to the curved surface to simplify positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but the field of view is limited and beams converge causing overlap
Solution Approach 1:
Each transducer element is tilted at a specific angle relative to the normal of the curved surface, creating local directional variation across the array. This local quality adjustment allows each element to cover a different angular sector, expanding the overall field of view while maintaining simple array positioning on the curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer elements are arranged with asymmetric tilting angles rather than uniform perpendicular orientation. This asymmetric arrangement compensates for the curvature-induced convergence, distributing the beam coverage more evenly across the field of view and preventing excessive overlap in certain regions.
2Area of moving object
If transducer elements are arranged to expand field of view, then coverage is improved, but beam overlap increases causing high acoustic dose
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting angles of individual transducer elements are precisely optimized to achieve uniform angular separation between adjacent beams. This parameter optimization ensures that the expanded field of view does not result in excessive beam overlap, thereby controlling the acoustic dose distribution across the monitored region.
3Ease of operation
If transducer array follows curved surface geometry, then ease of operation is improved, but fields of view converge reducing monitoring effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing local tilting variations in the transducer elements while maintaining the overall curved surface conformity, the system achieves both ease of positioning and reliable monitoring. The local quality adjustment ensures that beams from different elements cover distinct angular ranges, preventing convergence and maintaining monitoring effectiveness throughout the field of view.
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
This solution enhances the field of view and reduces acoustic dose, enabling continuous fetal heart rate monitoring and improved coverage, even when the fetus moves, and allows for monitoring of multiple fetuses.
Implementation Method 1
all individual ultrasound transducer elements are directed into the same region of the maternal abdomen, as the ultrasound wave propagation is only perpendicular to the skin surface
Implementation Method 2
the frequency of the reflected signal differing from that of the transmitted signal by an amount corresponding to the rate of the fetal heart motion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In an ultrasound transducer array (T) having a plurality of transducer elements (TE) each having a respective field of view (FOV-1 - FOV-5), the ultrasound transducer array (T) being capable of being positioned around an object having a curved surface (S) resulting in a convergence of the respective fields of view of the transducer elements (TE), the transducer elements (TE) are arranged, or capable of being arranged, on the ultrasound transducer array (T) in a manner opposite to a curvature of the curved surface (S) so as to counteract the convergence of the respective fields of view.