Ultrasound Interface Element with Deformable Active Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound transducer interfaces with tissue are inefficient due to air gaps and non-uniform contact, requiring cumbersome ultrasound gel that adds time, cost, and discomfort to procedures.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound interface element with a deformable, ultrasound-transmissive active layer made of responsive materials that deforms in response to electromagnetic stimuli, establishing a conformal interface by progressively expanding to ensure full contact with the tissue surface, potentially aided by vibration and pressure sensing for optimal contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasound gel is used to facilitate interface between transducer and tissue, then acoustic coupling is improved, but procedure complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the ultrasound gel from the interface system by replacing it with a deformable membrane that directly couples the transducer to the tissue surface. The membrane itself provides the acoustic coupling function without requiring additional gel material, thereby simplifying the procedure while maintaining reliable acoustic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable membrane serves as an intermediary element between the transducer and tissue surface. It deforms to conform to the tissue contours and eliminate air gaps, providing acoustic coupling without requiring gel. The membrane acts as the sole mediator, replacing the previous gel-based intermediary system.
2Reliability
If ultrasound gel is applied to ensure firm contact, then acoustic coupling is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ultrasound gel from the interface system, eliminating the source of patient discomfort associated with gel application. The deformable membrane provides direct contact coupling without requiring gel application, thereby improving patient comfort while maintaining acoustic coupling reliability.
3Reliability
If deformable membrane is used to eliminate air gaps, then acoustic coupling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable membrane that dynamically adapts its shape to conform to the tissue surface contours. This dynamic deformation capability allows the membrane to eliminate air gaps and ensure firm contact without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby achieving improved acoustic coupling with minimal added device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's physical parameters (shape, surface area, contact pressure) are changed through deformation to optimize acoustic coupling. By changing the membrane's physical state from flat to conformal through simple actuation, the system achieves reliable contact without complex device architecture.
4Manufacturing precision
If deformable membrane expands to conform to tissue surface, then contact uniformity is improved, but actuation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed to dynamically expand and deform in response to simple actuation signals, automatically conforming to the tissue surface geometry. This dynamic adaptation achieves uniform contact distribution without requiring complex actuation sequences or multiple control elements, thereby achieving high contact uniformity with minimal actuation complexity.
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 provides a fast, efficient, and reliable interface for ultrasound transducers, eliminating air gaps and non-uniform contact, thereby enhancing acoustic coupling and reducing procedural burdens.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound-transmissive active layer comprising one or more responsive material elements adapted to deform in response to an electromagnetic stimulus
Implementation Method 2
the controller is adapted to control the one or more responsive material elements to deform out-of-plane of the active layer such as to cause said initial line or area portion to expand smoothly outwards
Implementation Method 3
enabling direct transfer of ultrasound vibrations to the skin, without the occurrence of air gaps
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound interface element (10) is for establishing interface with an incident tissue surface (32) for the purpose of transfer of ultrasound waves. An ultrasound-transmissive active layer (14) is provided comprising one or more responsive material elements (16) deformable in response to an electromagnetic stimulus. The one or more elements are controlled to deform in a manner such as to progressively establish with the tissue surface (32) an outwardly expanding interface, starting from an initial point or line of contact and spreading outwards to a wider area.