Ultrasonic Device Plane Wave Directional Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic devices using plane waves face limitations in imaging large regions with uniform resolution, as linear transducers provide small imaging areas with uniform resolution but limited extent, while convex transducers offer wider areas but with non-uniform resolution and larger speckles due to radial scanning.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic device with a transducer that transmits plane waves in multiple directions, controlled by a processor to extend the transmission range and synthesize ultrasonic signals received from these waves, allowing for uniform resolution across a larger imaging area by determining optimal traveling directions and scanning lines based on the region's geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a linear transducer transmits a plane wave, then uniform resolution is achieved, but the imaging region becomes relatively small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the imaging region by transmitting plane waves in multiple directions (adding angular dimension) rather than using a single direction. The processor controls the transducer to sequentially transmit plane waves in different traveling directions, thereby extending the transmission range while maintaining uniform resolution through synthesized imaging of the extended region.
2Area of stationary object
If a convex transducer is used to acquire a wider region, then the imaging area increases, but the resolution becomes non-uniform and speckles become larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process by dividing the extended transmission range into multiple regions imaged by plane waves traveling in different directions. The processor synthesizes ultrasonic signals from these multiple directional views to construct the complete image, ensuring uniform resolution across the entire extended region while avoiding the radial scanning limitations of convex transducers.
3Area of stationary object
If plane waves are transmitted in multiple directions to extend the transmission range, then the imaging region is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical multi-transducer systems with a single transducer controlled to transmit plane waves in multiple directions sequentially. The processor handles the complexity through software-based signal synthesis and coordinate transformation, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing to achieve extended imaging range with uniform resolution.
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
The solution enables the ultrasonic device to image extended regions with uniform resolution by dispersing plane waves and synthesizing signals, overcoming the limitations of traditional transducers by maintaining image quality across a wider area.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer for transmitting a plane wave, and a processor for controlling the transducer to sequentially transmit plane waves in a plurality of different travelling directions
Implementation Method 2
the transducer receives a plurality of ultrasonic signals which are reflected from an object by each of the transmitted plane waves
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic device provides a wider image to a user of the device and includes a transducer for transmitting a plane wave; and a processor for controlling the transducer to sequentially transmit plane waves in a plurality of different travelling directions and thereby extend a transmission range in which the plane waves travel, where the transducer receives a plurality of ultrasonic signals which are reflected from an object by each of the transmitted plane waves, and the processor synthesizes the plurality of received ultrasonic signals so as to image at least a predetermined partial region in the extended transmission range.