Ultrasound Transducer Repolarization for Sensitivity Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasound transducer elements made of ferroelectric materials, such as piezoelectric ceramics, experience depolarization during imaging due to high voltage pulses with opposite polarity, leading to reduced sensitivity and degraded image quality.

Innovation Solution

Applying a repolarization sequence, separate from the imaging sequence, to the ultrasound transducer before, after, or interleaved between imaging sequences, using transmit pulses with an average polarity aligned with the ferroelectric material's polarity to maintain and enhance sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high voltage pulses with opposite polarity are applied to the ultrasound transducer during imaging, then imaging capability is improved, but depolarization occurs leading to reduced sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging powerVSAvoidtransducer sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A repolarization sequence is applied before the imaging sequence to realign the electric dipoles in the ferroelectric material. This preliminary action prevents depolarization that would otherwise occur during the subsequent high-voltage imaging pulses, thereby maintaining transducer sensitivity while enabling high-power imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The repolarization sequence is applied periodically - either before each imaging sequence or interleaved between imaging sequences. This periodic application of repolarization pulses counteracts the cumulative depolarization effect caused by repeated high-voltage imaging pulses, ensuring consistent transducer performance throughout the imaging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If repolarization sequence is applied before imaging sequences, then transducer sensitivity is maintained, but imaging time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransducer sensitivityVSAvoidimaging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The repolarization sequence uses a limited number of pulses (e.g., 1-5 pulses) rather than a continuous or excessive number. This partial application provides sufficient repolarization to maintain sensitivity while minimizing the time added to the imaging sequence, achieving a balance between sensitivity maintenance and imaging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If repolarization sequence is interleaved between imaging sequences, then depolarization is reduced, but imaging productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransducer sensitivityVSAvoidimaging throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The repolarization sequence is applied periodically at predetermined intervals during the imaging process, such as after a set number of imaging sequences or at regular time intervals. This periodic approach maintains transducer sensitivity through distributed repolarization events while minimizing disruption to the overall imaging workflow and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 maintains and increases the sensitivity of the ultrasound transducer, reducing depolarization and improving image quality by allowing higher voltage pulses during imaging, resulting in deeper penetration and more accurate ultrasound images.

Implementation Method 1

piezoelectric transducer elements that mechanically vibrate when driven by a high voltage signal and convert vibrations due to received echo signals into electrical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

ferroelectric materials are subjected to either high temperatures, a high mechanical pressure, or a high electric field with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the electric dipoles of the ferroelectric materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerroelectric polarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS11029400B2Methods and system for maintaining polarization of an ultrasound transducer

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Various methods and systems are provided for maintaining polarization of an ultrasound probe and increasing image quality of an image generated during an imaging procedure. As one example, a method for an ultrasound imaging system may include executing one or more imaging sequences with an ultrasound transducer; and applying a repolarization sequence to the ultrasound transducer one or more of before, after, and interleaved between the one or more imaging sequences, where the repolarization sequence is separate from the one or more imaging sequences.