Transducer Array Segmentation for Ultrasound Focusing Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound probes face limitations in achieving high-resolution imaging with deep focusing and steering due to the narrow radiation lobe of individual transducer elements, which restricts the aperture and pitch, leading to reduced sensitivity and scanning width.
Innovation Solution
The design involves creating an array of transducer elements with a reduced pitch, dividing them into two sub-arrays for alternating transmission and reception, sharing common connection lines with buffer and decoupling circuits to maintain sensitivity and prevent signal interference, allowing for a wider aperture and improved focusing without increasing the number of channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pitch of transducer elements is reduced to improve focusing and aperture, then the visual aperture and focusing ability are enhanced, but the device complexity and number of required channels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into two sub-arrays: transmitting elements and receiving elements. Each element is segmented into dedicated transmit and receive functions, allowing reduced pitch for improved aperture while managing channel complexity through functional separation. The transmitting transducer elements and receiving transducer elements operate in alternating sequence, with each having dedicated connection lines to processing units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transducer element serves dual purposes: transmitting acoustic pulses and receiving reflected acoustic pulses. The same physical element location can function as a transmitting element during emission phases and as a receiving element during reception phases, reducing the total number of separate channels needed while maintaining fine pitch for improved aperture.
2Measurement precision
If the number of transducer elements is increased to improve aperture and resolution, then the scanning width and focusing depth are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The total transducer array is segmented into two functional groups: transmitting transducer elements and receiving transducer elements. This segmentation allows the array to achieve high aperture and scanning width with improved focusing depth while managing complexity by assigning dedicated roles to each element group, processing signals separately through dedicated connection lines.
3Length of stationary object
If the pitch of transducer elements is reduced to improve aperture, then the focusing ability is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the array into dedicated transmitting and receiving elements with reduced pitch, the invention achieves larger effective aperture while establishing regular, simplified spacing patterns. The alternating arrangement of transmit and receive elements creates a predictable geometric pattern that simplifies manufacturing alignment compared to more complex configurations.
4Productivity
If the number of channels is increased to support more transducer elements, then the productivity and data acquisition capability are improved, but the device complexity and cable requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Transducer elements function universally as both transmitting and receiving components depending on operational phase. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of dedicated channels needed compared to having separate transmit-only and receive-only element arrays, while still enabling high productivity through parallel processing of multiple elements' signals during reception phases.
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 configuration enhances the visual aperture and focusing ability while maintaining sensitivity, enabling high-resolution imaging with a wide scanning depth and steering effect, reducing the need for additional channels and maintaining the probe's efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each transducer element is composed of an electroacoustic element, for example a piezoelectric one, an electrode for the input/output of an electric signal exciting the electroacoustic element corresponding to the emission of an acoustic signal and an electric reception signal corresponding to an acoustic signal impinging on the corresponding electroacoustic element
Implementation Method 2
sharing common connection lines with buffer and decoupling circuits to maintain sensitivity and prevent signal interference
Data Source
AI summary
An electroacoustic transducer assembly and probe for emitting and receiving acoustic radiation beams. The transducer assembly comprising a plurality of transducer elements, each one composed of an electroacoustic element, arranged side by side and spaced apart along a row having a first end. Starting from transducer element proximate to the first end, adjacent transducer elements are constructed and arranged create an electroacoustic pair. A first element of the electroacoustic pair is constructed and arranged to only transmit acoustic pulses and a second element of the electroacoustic pair is constructed and arranged to only receive acoustic pulses. Each electroacoustic pair share a common connection line which branches off into a transmit branch connected to the first element and a receive branch connected to the second element.