Ultrasound Transducer Sub-array Segmentation for Delay Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses with two-dimensional array transducers face challenges in reducing the number of signal lines and circuit size, leading to increased complexity and reduced frame rate due to high information requirements for delay adjustments, while simplifying delay control by fixing focus at infinity compromises beam precision and image resolution.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus divides the array transducer into sub-arrays and segments them into transducer regions, applying a common delay pattern to each region, reducing the amount of information needed for delay processing and improving beamforming precision by setting individual delay patterns for each region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual delay patterns are set for each sub-array, then beamforming precision is improved, but the amount of information to be supplied increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The array transducer is divided into multiple transducer regions, and a common delay pattern is set for each region rather than for each individual sub-array. This segmentation approach reduces the amount of information while maintaining beamforming precision through regional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different common delay patterns are applied to different transducer regions based on their specific characteristics and requirements. This allows each region to have optimized delay characteristics while reducing the overall information burden compared to individual sub-array control.
2Device complexity
If the depth of focus is fixed at infinity to simplify control, then the amount of information is reduced, but beam convergence is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the depth of focus for each transducer region through common delay patterns, allowing the focus to vary by region rather than being fixed at infinity. This provides dynamic focus control without requiring individual sub-array control.
3Loss of information
If a common delay pattern is set for the entire array transducer, then the amount of information is reduced, but beamforming precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The array transducer is divided into multiple transducer regions, each with its own common delay pattern. This segmentation allows regional optimization of beamforming precision while keeping the information requirement manageable through the common pattern approach within each region.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transducer region receives a customized common delay pattern tailored to its specific requirements, providing local optimization of beamforming precision without requiring individual control of each sub-array.
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 the amount of information required for delay processing while maintaining beamforming precision, achieving improved beam convergence and reducing the number of delay patterns needed, thus addressing the complexity and precision issues of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
an array transducer (10) comprising a plurality of transducer elements (12)
Implementation Method 2
a delay process corresponding to each sub-array based on a delay pattern defining an amount of delay for each of a plurality of the transducer elements
Data Source
AI summary
A 2D array transducer 10 is separated into a plurality of sub-arrays. Four representative sub-arrays from SA1 to SA4 are shown in an enlarged manner. In addition, the 2D array transducer (10) is segmented into a plurality of transducer regions. Four regions of (I)-(IV) segmented by dot-and-chain lines represent four transducer regions. For each sub-array, a delay process corresponding to the sub-array is executed based on a delay pattern defining an amount of delay for each of the plurality of transducer elements belonging to the sub-array. In this process, for each transducer region, a common delay pattern is set for the plurality of sub-arrays belonging to the transducer region. For example, because sub-arrays SA1 and SA2 belong to the same transducer region (IV), a common delay pattern is set for the sub-arrays SA1 and SA2.