Wireless Transducer Array Eliminates Cable Capacitance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current transducer array systems, particularly in medical ultrasound, face challenges with large multi-conductor cables that are ergonomically burdensome, electrically degrading, and compromise sterility due to their physical presence and capacitance, leading to issues with signal-to-noise ratio and sterility in medical settings.
Innovation Solution
A wireless transducer array system that transmits and receives ultrasound waves without the need for physical cables, using transducer elements, analog-to-digital converters, and transmitters to convert electrical energy into digital data, allowing for beamformed or non-beamformed ultrasound waves to be transmitted and received, and processed for imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If large multi-conductor cables are used to carry electrical signals from the probe to the main processing unit, then sufficient power and signal transmission are achieved, but ergonomic burden, electrical degradation, and sterility compromise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable from the system by implementing a wireless probe design. The probe contains a battery and wireless transmitter that eliminates the need for physical cables connecting the probe to the main processing unit, thereby removing the ergonomic burden and sterility issues while maintaining power and signal transmission capabilities through wireless communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. Electrical signals and power are transmitted from the probe to the main processing unit through wireless transmission rather than physical conductors, eliminating the mechanical cable while maintaining the necessary energy and data transfer functions
2Use of energy by moving object
If large multi-conductor cables are used to carry electrical signals, then sufficient power and signal transmission are achieved, but electrical interface degradation and capacitance increase occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable from the system entirely, eliminating the source of electrical interface degradation and unwanted capacitance. The wireless transmission system avoids the electrical connection problems inherent in cable-based systems, providing cleaner signal transmission and better electrical interface quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the cable-based electrical transmission system with a wireless transmission system. This replacement eliminates the electrical interface degradation and capacitance effects that occur with physical cables, as wireless transmission does not require physical conductors between the probe and main processing unit
3Adaptability or versatility
If a cabled probe is used in a sterile field, then the probe can be connected to the main unit, but sterility is compromised as the cable slides in and out of the sterile field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable from the sterile field by implementing a wireless probe design. Without a physical cable connecting the probe to the main processing unit, there is no object that can slide in and out of the sterile field, thereby maintaining sterility while preserving probe connectivity through wireless communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with a wireless transmission system. This substitution eliminates the physical cable that would otherwise penetrate the sterile field boundary, maintaining sterility while allowing the probe to remain connected to the main unit through non-contact wireless communication
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
The wireless system reduces ergonomic and electrical burdens, maintains sterility, and improves signal-to-noise ratio by eliminating cable capacitance, enabling more flexible and effective ultrasound imaging while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.
Implementation Method 2
The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical energy into digital data
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy. The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical energy into digital data, and the transmitter may transmit the digital data.