Ultrasound Probe Clock Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high power consumption in ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses and probes due to continuous supply of a transmission clock to the transmission beam former, even during reception periods, leads to increased energy usage and potential noise from voltage fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
The transmission clock is only supplied during the transmission period and stopped during the reception period, specifically by controlling the clock generator to align phases of ultrasound waves at a focal point, reducing power consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmission clock is continuously supplied to the transmission beam former, then the operation stability is maintained, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission clock is supplied periodically only during the transmission period when the transmission beam former is actively generating transmission pulses, and stopped during the reception period. This periodic supply pattern maintains operation stability when needed while reducing power consumption during idle reception phases.
2Measurement precision
If the transmission clock is continuously supplied, then the timing accuracy is maintained, but the equipment size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock supply is synchronized with the transmission period, providing timing accuracy only when the transmission beam former is actively operating. During reception periods, the clock is stopped, allowing for smaller equipment size while maintaining timing precision when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the transmission clock is continuously supplied, then the operational readiness is maintained, but the noise from voltage fluctuations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission clock is supplied only during the transmission period when operational readiness is required, and stopped during reception periods. This reduces power consumption and minimizes noise from voltage fluctuations while maintaining operational readiness when needed.
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 power consumption, enables miniaturization of equipment, integrates channels, and minimizes noise from power supply fluctuations, resulting in a downsized ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe having a ultrasound transducer (piezoelectric transducer) at its tip
Implementation Method 2
calculates a delay corresponding to the distance between each of ultrasound transducers and a focal point such that the phases of ultrasound waves transmitted from the ultrasound transducers to the subject are aligned at a predetermined focal point
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a transmission beam former and a transmitting circuit. The transmission beam former generates a transmission pulse. The transmitting circuit supplies an ultrasound transducer with the transmission pulse received from the transmission beam former as a drive signal. The supply of a clock necessary for the generation of the transmission pulse is stopped during a substantial reception period of echo signals from the ultrasound transducer.