Ultrasonic Probe Gain Control via Parallel Signal Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in detecting saturation in analog circuits before the analog-to-digital converter and adjusting gains effectively, leading to deteriorated image quality and reduced signal-to-noise ratio due to unsaturated reflected wave signals.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe with multiple detectors and a measurer that measures saturated reflected wave signals, and processing circuitry that calculates and controls gains for each detector to prevent saturation, ensuring optimal signal processing and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gain is lowered to prevent saturation of the reflected wave signal in analog circuits, then saturation is avoided and image quality is preserved, but the signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the reflected wave signal before it enters the analog circuit through a parallel measurement path. The measurer captures the signal characteristics (maximum value, RMS value) prior to amplification, allowing the system to pre-calculate the appropriate gain that will maximize signal strength without causing saturation in subsequent analog stages. This advance measurement and calculation prevent the need to lower gain conservatively, thereby maintaining signal-to-noise ratio.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional saturation detection methods are used based on AD-converted signals, then saturation can be detected after conversion, but it is impossible to detect which specific analog circuit stage causes saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the signal processing path into distinct measurable segments. A parallel measurement path is created with the measurer that independently measures the reflected wave signal before it enters the analog circuit. This separate measurement channel allows the system to compare the pre-amplification signal characteristics with the post-processing digital signal, thereby identifying which analog circuit stage causes saturation. The segmentation of measurement functions enables precise localization of the saturation source.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate measurement paths are implemented for each analog circuit stage, then saturation can be precisely detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple measurement functions into a single integrated measurer unit. Rather than implementing separate measurement circuits for each analog stage, the measurer is designed to capture the reflected wave signal once through a parallel path and provide comprehensive measurement data (maximum value, RMS value, waveform information) that can be used to assess saturation conditions across the entire analog signal processing chain. This consolidation reduces device complexity while maintaining precise saturation detection capability.
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 allows for automatic gain adjustment, maximizing signal levels within non-saturated ranges, improving image quality and signal-to-noise ratio while reducing circuit complexity and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of transducers, and is configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to a subject through each of the transducers, and receive, through each of the transducers, a reflected wave signal
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of detectors respectively corresponds to transducers and are configured to detect the reflected wave signal received by the corresponding transducer
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, a plurality of detectors, a measurer, and processing circuitry. The ultrasonic probe includes the plurality of transducers, and is configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal to a subject through each of the transducers, and receive, through each of the transducers, a reflected wave signal obtained when the transmitted ultrasonic signal has been reflected from an inside of a body of the subject and returned. Each of the plurality of detectors respectively corresponds to transducers and are configured to detect a reflected wave signal received by the corresponding transducer. The measurer configured to measures a reflected wave signal having an amplitude greater than an amplitude at which at least one of the detectors is saturated when determining a gain of the at least one of the plurality of detectors. The processing circuitry configured to calculate the gain based on the reflected wave signals measured by the measurer and control setting of the gain to the detectors.