Ultrasonic Probe Signal Processing for Reduced Line Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in reducing the number of signal lines between the ultrasonic probe and the diagnostic apparatus main body, leading to complex circuitry and large probe sizes, while also struggling with reliable beam forming processing due to high data volume and transmission rates.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic probe performs orthogonal detection processing on reception signals to generate complex baseband signals, which are then sampled and serialized for transmission, reducing data volume and enabling wireless communication or fewer signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If reception focusing processing is performed digitally with large-scale circuits in the ultrasonic probe, then the number of signal lines can be reduced or wireless communication can be realized, but the probe becomes too large in size for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reception focusing processing function from the ultrasonic probe and relocates it to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body. Only essential minimal circuits remain in the probe, while the complex digital signal processing is performed externally, thus reducing probe size while maintaining the benefit of reduced signal lines
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the location of complex processing from one dimension (within the probe) to another dimension (in the main body apparatus), spatially separating the minimal probe design from the comprehensive signal processing capabilities
2Measurement precision
If the number of ultrasonic transducers is increased for higher definition imaging, then image quality is improved, but the number of signal lines and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transducer channels into a unified processing system where signals from multiple transducers are combined and processed together in the main body apparatus, reducing the need for separate complex circuitry for each transducer while maintaining high-definition imaging capabilities
3Reliability
If reception signals are transmitted in unchanged band, then signal fidelity is maintained, but data volume is large and high transmission rate is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of reception signals by performing orthogonal detection to convert high-frequency ultrasonic signals into lower frequency baseband signals (I and Q components), maintaining signal fidelity while significantly reducing the transmission rate requirement
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 reduces the transmission bit rate, simplifies the probe's circuitry, and allows for more compact and operable designs while maintaining image quality by converting parallel data into serial data, facilitating efficient signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe including plural ultrasonic transducers (vibrators) having transmitting and receiving functions of ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
signal processing means for performing orthogonal detection processing or orthogonal sampling processing on the reception signal outputted from each ultrasonic transducer to generate two signals representing a complex baseband signal
Data Source
AI summary
The number of signal lines connecting an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body is reduced or wireless communication is realized by reducing a volume of data of reception signals outputted from plural ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output reception signals; signal processing units for performing orthogonal detection processing or orthogonal sampling processing on the reception signals to generate two signals representing a complex baseband signal; sampling units for sampling the two signals to generate parallel sample data; a serializing unit for converting the parallel sample data into serial sample data; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the serial sample data.