Ultrasound Transducer Array Alignment via Precision Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound imaging techniques face limitations in depth of scanning, speckle noise, poor lateral resolution, and obscured tissues due to the challenges in aligning multiple aperture ultrasound probes accurately, which affects the quality of images produced.
Innovation Solution
A method for constructing multiple aperture ultrasound probes involves forming a gasket with a flowable solidifying material on a precision alignment element, securing it to the transducer array, evaluating and adjusting the alignment using imaging techniques, and injecting additional solidifying material to secure the array within a probe housing, ensuring precise alignment and orientation of transducer arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple aperture ultrasound probes are constructed with multiple transducer arrays, then imaging quality and resolution are improved, but alignment precision and manufacturing complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a precision alignment element with predetermined geometric features (flat surface, cylindrical surface, conical surface) before assembling the transducer arrays. These pre-established alignment features guide the positioning of multiple arrays, ensuring they are accurately aligned in the imaging plane without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The precision alignment element serves as an intermediary component between the transducer arrays and the probe housing. It mediates the alignment process by providing reference surfaces and geometric constraints that enable accurate positioning of multiple arrays relative to each other, simplifying the overall assembly process.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transducer arrays are aligned in a common imaging plane, then lateral resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alignment function into distinct geometric features on the precision alignment element: a flat surface for positioning the first array, a cylindrical surface for the second array, and a conical surface for the third array. This segmentation allows each transducer array to be independently aligned using its specific reference surface, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The precision alignment element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides alignment references for multiple transducer arrays, maintains the common imaging plane, and ensures proper orientation of arrays. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment mechanisms for each array, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If transducer arrays are securely mounted to precision alignment element, then alignment stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flowable solidifying material that is injected into the assembly to secure the transducer arrays to the precision alignment element. This material flows into the gaps and spaces, then solidifies to create a rigid bond, ensuring alignment stability while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to traditional mechanical fastening methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The flowable solidifying material undergoes a phase transition from liquid to solid state after being injected into the assembly. This phase change enables the material to initially flow and fill gaps for easy assembly, then solidify to provide strong, stable bonding that maintains alignment precision.
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 approach enables the precise alignment and securement of transducer arrays within tight tolerances, enhancing the quality of ultrasound images by improving resolution and reducing noise, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional scanline-based ultrasound imaging.
Implementation Method 1
injecting a second flowable solidifying material through at least one hole in the precision alignment element to secure the transducer array to the precision alignment element
Data Source
AI summary
The effective aperture of an ultrasound imaging probe can be increased by including more than one transducer array and using the transducer elements of all of the arrays to render an image can greatly improve the lateral resolution of the generated image. In order to render an image, the relative positions of all of the elements must be known precisely. Systems and methods for accurately calibrating and adjusting a multi-aperture ultrasound system are disclosed. The relative positions of the transducer elements can be computed and aligned prior to and during probe assembly.