Ultrasound Streaming Control for Accurate Liquid Viscosity Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in accurately estimating physical properties of liquid-filled target regions due to variations in position, size, and orientation of the target region, which affect the velocity of acoustic streaming, leading to inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a drive circuit, receiving circuit, and processor that set drive conditions for generating acoustic streaming based on target information such as distance and size, using pre-calibrated relationships between flow velocities and viscosity coefficients to estimate physical properties accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound is transmitted to generate acoustic streaming in a target region, then physical properties of liquid can be estimated, but variations in target region position and size cause inconsistent flow velocities leading to reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts ultrasound transmission parameters (intensity, frequency, focal depth) based on the measured distance to the target region and target size. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system maintains consistent acoustic streaming velocity despite variations in target position and size, thereby ensuring reliable and precise physical property measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses echo signals to obtain feedback information about target region distance and size, then uses this feedback to adjust subsequent ultrasound transmission parameters. This closed-loop control ensures that acoustic streaming is generated with appropriate velocity for accurate viscosity measurement regardless of target variations
2Measurement precision
If fixed drive conditions are used for acoustic streaming generation, then device operation is simple, but variations in target distance and size lead to inaccurate physical property estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines optimal drive conditions by measuring target region characteristics (distance and size) using echo signals. The processor autonomously calculates and sets appropriate ultrasound transmission parameters without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving accurate viscosity estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of target region characteristics using echo signals before generating acoustic streaming. Based on these preliminary measurements, it pre-adjusts the drive conditions to ensure optimal acoustic streaming velocity for accurate physical property measurement
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 allows for more precise estimation of physical properties like viscosity by compensating for positional and size variations, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus irradiates a target region (mainly a disease, particularly, a cystic disease) with ultrasound to apply an acoustic radiation pressure, thus generating a flow (hereinafter, referred to as 'acoustic streaming') in a case where liquid is present in the target region
Implementation Method 2
the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus obtains ultrasound echoes from the acoustic streaming, and analyzes a flow velocity, a change in flow velocity over time or a change in flow velocity in space based on the ultrasound echoes
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a drive circuit configured to transmit a drive signal to an ultrasound transducer, a receiving circuit configured to receive an echo signal from the ultrasound transducer, and a processor. The processor obtains, based on the echo signal or a user input, target information containing at least one of a distance from the ultrasound transducer to a target region containing liquid or a size of the target region, and sets, based on the target information, a drive condition under which an acoustic streaming generating ultrasound transmitted by the ultrasound transducer generates acoustic streaming in the liquid in the target region.