Ultrasound Subarray Beamsteering for NDT Resolution and Compute
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging systems for nondestructive testing face challenges in achieving uniform focus, high resolution, high frame rates, and reducing computational, data transport, and storage requirements, particularly in systems with small arrays.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a plurality of subarrays with ultrasound transducer elements, transmitting beams at preset beamsteering angles, selecting and processing received data to reconstruct images, and combining complex images from subarrays to form a complete ultrasound image, reducing computational and data requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TFM (Total Focus Method) is used to achieve uniform focus and high resolution imaging, then image quality and focus uniformity are improved, but computational requirements and data transport/storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transducer array into multiple subarrays, where each subarray independently transmits ultrasound beams. This segmentation reduces the computational burden by processing smaller subsets of elements rather than the entire array, while still achieving focused imaging through coordinated transmission from multiple subarrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transmits ultrasound beams from multiple subarrays with overlapping coverage of the imaging region. This partial redundancy allows selective use of received data from different subarrays to reconstruct image points, reducing the total computational work compared to TFM while maintaining focus quality.
2Measurement precision
If TFM is used to achieve transmit and receive focus at every pixel, then image resolution is improved, but image reconstruction time increases due to large data volume
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the array into subarrays and processing their data separately, the patent reduces the volume of data that must be processed simultaneously, thereby decreasing image reconstruction time while maintaining resolution through focused beam formation from each subarray.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses received data from multiple subarrays to reconstruct each image point, selecting and combining partial data sets that provide sufficient information for high-resolution imaging without processing the complete data set required by TFM, thus reducing reconstruction time.
3Length of stationary object
If single element transmission is used in TFM, then penetration depth is limited, but using subarrays for STA increases data generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transducer array into multiple subarrays that transmit ultrasound beams with greater energy than single elements, improving penetration depth. By processing each subarray's data independently and selectively combining results, the patent avoids generating excessive data while achieving deeper penetration through coordinated subarray transmission.
4Measurement precision
If multiple transmit focal zones with dynamic receive focusing are used in medical imaging, then uniform focus is achieved, but this approach does not yield sharp focus in nondestructive ultrasound testing with small arrays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the small transducer array into multiple subarrays, enabling each subarray to transmit focused beams independently. This segmentation allows sharp focus to be achieved with small arrays by coordinating transmissions from multiple subarrays, avoiding the need for complex dynamic receive focusing while improving focus sharpness compared to conventional medical imaging approaches.
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 enables high-resolution imaging at high frame rates with lower computational and data storage needs, improving penetration and focus uniformity compared to existing methods like TFM and STA.
Implementation Method 1
short ultrasonic pulses with frequencies between 0.1 and 15 MHz are launched into materials to detect internal flaws or to characterize materials
Implementation Method 2
receives, at the array, a plurality of ultrasound reflections corresponding to the plurality of ultrasound beams
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and computer program products for nondestructive ultrasound imaging are provided. An example method defines a plurality of subarrays, each comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements. The method transmits a plurality of ultrasound beams from each of the plurality of subarrays, each ultrasound beam being transmitted at a preset beamsteering angle. Subsequent to each transmit, the method receives, at the array, a plurality of ultrasound reflections corresponding to the plurality of ultrasound beams. For each point to be imaged, the method selects one set of received element data for each of the plurality of subarrays. The selected set of element data corresponds to an ultrasound beam having a focal point closest to the point to be imaged. Finally, the method reconstructs a point to be imaged based on the selected received element data, and constructs an ultrasound image by repeating this process for each point to be imaged.