Ultrasound Probe Testing Device Using Multichannel Electronic Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound probe testing devices are slow due to their reliance on mechanical relays for switching between transducer elements, limiting capacitive and resistive loads and requiring cumbersome recursive procedures to detect crosstalk between multiple leads and transducers.
Innovation Solution
A multichannel device with multiple transmitter/receiver circuits and a computing device that uses stored interrogation protocols to rapidly test ultrasound probes by sending voltage pulses to all transducers simultaneously, detecting crosstalk and determining parameters like capacitance, frequency, and sensitivity, without mechanical relays, enabling faster and more efficient testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical relays are used for switching between transducer elements, then capacitive and resistive loads are limited, but testing speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical relay systems with solid-state electronic switching circuits. The switching is performed using electronic components such as transistors or integrated circuit switches that can handle the capacitive and resistive loads of ultrasound transducer elements without the mechanical limitations of relay contacts. This substitution eliminates the speed bottleneck while maintaining the ability to limit and protect against excessive loads through electronic circuit design.
2Reliability
If one transmitter and one receiver are used to test one lead and one transducing element at a time, then capacitive and resistive loads are limited, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the testing system into multiple independent transmitter/receiver channels, with each channel capable of testing a specific transducer element. This segmentation allows parallel testing of multiple elements simultaneously. Each channel maintains its own load management circuitry, ensuring that the ability to limit capacitive and resistive loads is preserved while the overall testing process is accelerated through concurrent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple transmitter/receiver channels into a single integrated testing system that can operate simultaneously. The channels are merged in such a way that they share common control and processing resources while maintaining independent testing capabilities. This merging enables parallel testing of multiple transducer elements without requiring separate testing equipment for each element, thus reducing total testing time while maintaining load management capabilities.
3Reliability
If mechanical relays are used for switching, then load protection is provided, but switching speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical relay switching with solid-state electronic switching circuits that provide both load protection and high-speed operation. Electronic switches can transition between states in nanoseconds compared to the milliseconds required by mechanical relays. Load protection is implemented through electronic circuit elements such as current limiting resistors, protective diodes, and control logic that monitor and regulate the electrical loads presented by transducer elements.
4Measurement precision
If recursive procedures are used to detect crosstalk between all leads and transducer elements, then comprehensive testing is achieved, but testing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the crosstalk detection process into independent measurements for each transducer element. Instead of using complex recursive procedures that require systematic switching and repeated measurements, each element is tested for crosstalk with its neighbors in a straightforward, non-recursive manner. The multiple transmitter/receiver channels enable simultaneous or sequential measurement of crosstalk between adjacent elements without requiring the tester to recursively navigate through all possible lead-element combinations.
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 allows for real-time imaging and rapid detection of crosstalk and parameter analysis, significantly reducing testing time and improving the efficiency of ultrasound probe testing, enabling the production of high-quality images and ensuring probe functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Sending and receiving the ultrasound wave is usually carried out with a piezoelectric transducer that can generate a sound wave upon receiving a voltage pulse and generate a voltage pulse upon receiving a sound wave
Implementation Method 2
transforming the voltage pulses that are generated by the transducers when they receive sound echoes caused by the previously sent ultrasound waves
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a device for testing ultrasound probes comprising a plurality of transducing elements, said device comprising a plurality of ultrasound transmitter/receiver circuits, a computing device and a control device arranged to control the transmitter/ receiver circuits and the computing device arranged to select an interrogation protocol from a plurality of different interrogation protocols, where each interrogation protocol comprises instructions for the order in which the plurality of transmitter/receiver circuits shall send voltage pulses to the transducers of the ultrasound probe.