Ultrasonic Probe Optical Detection Membrane

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasonic systems face challenges in achieving high image quality due to the complexity and cost of piezoelectric transmitters, which require numerous channels, high-quality cables, and multiple silicone layers, leading to increased system costs, size, and reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic probe using a membrane sensitive to ultrasonic waves that induces a change in optical path length, allowing for interferometric detection of echoes, reducing the need for multiple channels and simplifying the electronic system with optical switch matrices, which are less expensive and generate fewer heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If piezoelectric signal transmitters are used to achieve high image quality, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases dramatically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidultrasonic head complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the piezoelectric mechanical system with an optical system. A membrane converts ultrasonic vibrations into optical path length changes, which are detected interferometrically. This substitution eliminates the need for complex piezoelectric transmitter matrices, high-quality coaxial cables, and multiple silicone impedance layers, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the number of signal transmitters is increased to improve image quality, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical interferometric detection system replaces the need for numerous expensive piezoelectric signal transmitters and high-quality micro-coaxial cables. The membrane-based optical system achieves equivalent or superior measurement precision with significantly fewer components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses optical copying of the ultrasonic vibration pattern through interferometric detection. Instead of requiring multiple physical piezoelectric transmitters to sample different points, the optical system creates an interferometric pattern that copies and amplifies the vibration information, achieving high-resolution imaging with fewer physical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If high-quality micro-coaxial cables are used to transmit weak electric signals, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission qualityVSAvoidcable and interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through complex high-quality micro-coaxial cables with optical signal transmission. The membrane converts ultrasonic vibrations directly into optical path length changes that can be detected interferometrically, eliminating the need for expensive cables and complex electrical interfaces while maintaining signal transmission quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If multiple silicone rubber layers are added to adapt acoustic impedance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic impedance matchingVSAvoidsignal transmitter matrix complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical detection system replaces the need for multiple silicone rubber impedance layers. The membrane is directly coupled to the piezoelectric transmitter, and the optical detection method is insensitive to acoustic impedance mismatches, thereby simplifying the transmitter matrix design while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, reduces system costs, and improves the price-performance ratio by using fewer and less expensive components, allowing for longer cable lengths and lower production complexity, while maintaining image quality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one membrane (5) that is mechanically sensitive to ultrasonic waves and by vibrating the membrane induces a change in the optical path length of a beam of light aimed at the membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical sensitivity to ultrasonic waves: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

several channels (10), each with one interferometric detection unit for determination of the change in the optical path length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterferometric detection: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS8240211B2Ultrasonic probe and method for the optical detection of ultrasonic waves

Publication Date: 2012.08.14 EZONO

AI summary

An ultrasonic probe for optical detection of ultrasonic waves includes a membrane integrated into the probe for contact with a body, the membrane being excited to vibration by reflected ultrasonic waves, leading to a change in optical path length of a beam of light directed at the membrane, which change is determined interferometrically.