Ultrasonic Probe Test Device Using Acoustic Coupling Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing the performance of ultrasonic probes are challenging due to alignment issues with inspection jigs, high noise levels in reflected waves, and the need for solvents like water, making it difficult to achieve accurate and stable performance testing.
Innovation Solution
A test device that includes processing circuitry to detect waveforms of reflected ultrasonic waves that have passed through an acoustic coupling material in close contact with the ultrasonic probe, allowing for accurate testing of the probe's performance without the need for alignment jigs or solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an ultrasonic probe is fixed with an inspection jig and a reflector is installed through a solvent, then the performance of the ultrasonic probe can be tested, but it is difficult to perform alignment and stably perform the test
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the inspection jig and solvent from the testing system, replacing them with an acoustic coupling material that is integrated directly into the ultrasonic probe. This eliminates the need for separate alignment components and simplifies the testing setup while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an acoustic coupling material as an intermediary substance that couples the ultrasonic probe directly to the test subject. This acoustic coupling material serves as both the coupling medium and the alignment reference, eliminating the need for separate jigs and solvents while ensuring stable and accurate performance testing.
2Measurement precision
If reflected waves are used to test the ultrasonic probe, then the performance can be checked, but the noise included in reflected waves is large and it is difficult to test the performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the reflector component from the testing system. Instead of using reflected waves from a separate reflector, the system uses direct acoustic coupling through the acoustic coupling material, which eliminates the noise associated with reflector-based testing while maintaining the ability to evaluate probe performance.
3Measurement precision
If conventional testing methods using jigs and solvents are used, then performance testing can be performed, but complex setup procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the acoustic coupling material with the ultrasonic probe into a single integrated unit. This combination eliminates the need for separate jigs, solvents, and reflectors, significantly simplifying the setup procedure while maintaining the capability to perform accurate performance testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic coupling material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the coupling medium between the probe and test subject, provides alignment reference, and enables direct acoustic transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate components and simplifies the overall testing 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
The solution enables high-accuracy testing of ultrasonic probes by reducing noise and eliminating the need for complex setup procedures, allowing for efficient and reliable performance evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
waveforms of reflected waves of ultrasonic waves, which have been transmitted from an ultrasonic probe 10 and have passed through an acoustic coupling material 20 in close contact with an acoustic radiation surface 16 of the ultrasonic probe 10
Implementation Method 2
detect waveforms of reflected waves of ultrasonic waves
Data Source
AI summary
A test device of an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect a waveform of a reflected wave that is obtained by reflection of an ultrasonic wave, which has been transmitted from an ultrasonic probe and has passed through an acoustic coupling material in close contact with an acoustic radiation surface of the ultrasonic probe, the reflected wave having passed through the acoustic coupling material before the detection of the waveform, and test a performance of the ultrasonic probe on the basis of the detected waveform.