Variable Patch Boundaries in Ultrasound Transducer Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ultrasound systems with one-dimensional transducer arrays face challenges with the increased number of elements in two-dimensional arrays for three-dimensional imaging, leading to cumbersome cables and limitations in aperture translation due to fixed patch sizes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a microbeamformer in the ultrasound probe to perform partial beamforming, allowing for variable patch boundaries and aperture translation in increments smaller than the patch size, enabling operation with a conventionally sized mainframe beamformer and accommodating larger arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of transducer elements is increased to enable three-dimensional imaging, then the imaging capability is improved, but the cable becomes thick and unwieldy making probe manipulation cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transducer array into multiple patches, where each patch is independently connected to the beamformer. This segmentation reduces the number of simultaneous connections required in the cable, making the probe more manageable while retaining the ability to access all elements through sequential patch activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic patch selection and variable patch boundaries that can be adjusted during operation. The active aperture can be translated across the array in increments smaller than the patch size, allowing flexible configuration of which elements are active at any given time, thereby reducing the effective number of connections needed.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of transducer elements exceeds the number of beamformer channels, then more elements can be processed, but multiplexing is required and only a subset of elements can be connected at any point in time
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into multiple patches that can be independently controlled. Each patch can be connected to the beamformer channels, allowing the system to process more elements than channels by sequentially activating different patches rather than requiring complex multiplexing of all elements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch boundaries are made variable and can be dynamically adjusted during operation. The active aperture can be translated across the array, allowing flexible reconfiguration of which elements are active at any given time, simplifying the connection scheme compared to fixed multiplexing arrangements.
3Device complexity
If fixed patch sizes are used for beamforming, then the beamforming process is simplified, but aperture translation is constrained to patch-sized increments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable patch boundaries that can be dynamically adjusted during operation. The active aperture can be translated across the array in increments smaller than the full patch size by selectively activating or deactivating portions of patches, enabling finer positioning precision while maintaining simplified beamforming within each patch configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The array is divided into patches that serve as building blocks for the active aperture. By combining and selectively activating portions of multiple patches, the system achieves fine aperture translation precision while maintaining the computational simplicity of patch-based beamforming.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a two dimensional array arranged in multiple patches of multiple transducer elements. Each patch of transducer elements is coupled to a group of microbeamformer delay lines having outputs which can be coupled to a selected channel of a system beamformer, which beamforms the partially summed beams of each patch into a final beamformed signal. The ability to direct a delayed signal from a transducer element to a selected beamformer channel enables the patch boundaries to be changed as the aperture is translated across the array.