Ultrasound Signal Processing Circuitry Wireless Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of multiple channels of analog signals from an ultrasound transducer array to the control and processing electronics in ultrasound systems is limited, hindering the use of larger and denser arrays needed for improved resolution and high-quality 3D volumetric imaging.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of digital and analog circuitry that processes signals from an ultrasound transducer array by applying weighting functions in both time and frequency domains, converting signals to a digital domain, and performing quadrature demodulation and Fast Fourier Transform to facilitate efficient signal conditioning and image formation processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If larger and denser transducer arrays are used to improve resolution and enable high-quality 3D volumetric imaging, then image quality and resolution are improved, but the complexity of transporting multiple channels of analog signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of transporting multiple channels of analog signals through physical cables and connectors with a wireless transmission system. The ultrasound transducer array wirelessly transmits processed imaging data to external computing devices, eliminating the need for complex analog signal transportation infrastructure while enabling high-resolution 3D volumetric imaging.
2Power
If multiple channels of analog signals are transported to control and processing electronics, then signal processing capability is maintained, but the utility of larger and denser arrays is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function from the transducer array itself. Each transducer element or small group of elements processes and wirelessly transmits its own data independently to external computing devices. This segmentation allows the array to be scaled to any size without increasing transportation complexity, as each element operates autonomously and transmits data wirelessly rather than requiring coordinated analog signal routing.
3Measurement precision
If signal conditioning is performed in both time and frequency domains with multiple processing steps, then image quality is improved, but data volume and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary signal conditioning and processing at the transducer element level before wireless transmission. Weighting functions are applied in both time and frequency domains, and initial image formation processing is completed at each element or small group of elements. This preliminary action reduces the data volume that needs to be transmitted wirelessly, as only processed imaging data rather than raw multi-channel analog signals are transmitted.
Data Source
AI summary
Ultrasound signal processing circuitry and related apparatus and methods are described. Signal samples received from an ultrasound transducer array in an ultrasound transducer based imaging system may be processed, or conditioned, by application of one or more weighting functions. In some embodiments, one or more weighting functions may be applied to the signal samples in the time domain. In other embodiments, the signal samples may be converted to the frequency domain and one or more weighting functions may be applied in the frequency domain. In further embodiments, one or more weighting functions may be applied in the time domain and one or more weighting functions may be applied in the frequency domain. The weighting functions may be channel dependent and/or channel independent. The processed data can be provided to an image formation processor.