Ultrasound Probe Element Sensitivity Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasound diagnosis systems, it is difficult for users to determine sensitivity decreases in ultrasound probe elements, as these changes have a minimal influence on the image, and existing techniques lack effective methods to visually inform users of abnormal sensitivity in electron scanning type probes.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging system that includes a determining circuit to assess echo signals from each element, a region specifying circuit to identify areas with sensitivity decreases based on transmission intensity contribution, and a sensitivity display circuit to generate data for visual representation of these regions, allowing users to intuitively understand the impact of sensitivity decreases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple elements are driven simultaneously to acquire sound ray data, then data acquisition efficiency is improved, but sensitivity decrease in individual elements becomes difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the simultaneous multi-element operation into separate individual element operations. Each element is driven one at a time rather than simultaneously, allowing the system to acquire data from each element separately. This segmentation enables the detection of sensitivity decreases in individual elements while still maintaining overall data acquisition functionality.
2Measurement precision
If sensitivity decrease detection is performed for each element, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing ultrasound imaging apparatus itself to perform sensitivity detection rather than introducing separate complex detection equipment. The ultrasound probe and imaging system are utilized to acquire data for sensitivity evaluation, allowing the system to self-diagnose element sensitivity status without adding external complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensitivity detection is performed as a preliminary operation before actual ultrasound imaging. By acquiring data from each element individually first and evaluating sensitivity, the system prepares the element status information in advance. This preliminary action allows subsequent imaging to proceed with full multi-element capability while sensitivity information is already available.
3Measurement precision
If individual element data is acquired separately, then sensitivity decrease detection capability is improved, but data acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs sensitivity detection as a preliminary operation conducted once when the ultrasound probe is connected to the imaging apparatus. Individual element data acquisition for sensitivity evaluation is completed in advance before actual diagnostic imaging begins. This preliminary action ensures that sensitivity information is available without adding time to the main imaging workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultrasound imaging system configured to generate data of an ultrasound image based on an echo signal received by each of a plurality of elements included in an ultrasound transducer that transmits and receives ultrasound. The ultrasound imaging system includes: a determining circuit configured to determine, using a signal corresponding to the echo signal received by each of the plurality of elements, whether each of the plurality of elements has a sensitivity decrease; a region specifying circuit configured to specify a region where sensitivity decreases in the ultrasound image, based on a contribution degree indicating a ratio of transmission intensity contributing to an ultrasound beam by an element that has been determined as having the sensitivity decrease by the determining circuit; and a sensitivity display circuit configured to generate data for displaying the region specified by the region specifying circuit.