Abstract:
A system for maintaining coherence of ultrasound waves emitted by multiple transducer arrays includes multiple retention arms, each for receiving one of the transducer arrays; a connecting frame for receiving and mechanically retaining the arms in fixed angular relation to each other; and a processor configured to determine relative locations of the transducer arrays with respect to one another and the connecting frame; determine a location of the connecting frame relative to an anatomic region of interest; determine a spatial arrangement of the transducer elements in each transducer array with respect to the anatomic region of interest; and adjust a transmission configuration of the transducer elements in the transducer arrays to achieve a desired focusing property with respect to the anatomic region of interest while maintaining coherence therebetween.
Abstract:
Provided are a highly reliable probe including a light reflecting layer, which is resistant to the falling off of the light reflecting layer, and an information obtaining apparatus using the same. The probe includes: an element including at least one cell, each cell including a first electrode provided on a substrate, and a vibration membrane including a second electrode provided across a gap from the first electrode; an acoustic impedance matching layer disposed above the element; and a light reflecting layer. The light reflecting layer is fixed to the substrate via an adhesive layer.
Abstract:
The invention provides a system (1) for determining an identification characteristic of a medical device (3) carrying at least an ultrasound emitter/sensor element (321). The identification characteristic is based on a detection signal from the ultrasound emitter/sensor element (321) upon a drive signal. The system (1) can identify the medical device from a database (211,511) of known medical devices. Furthermore, the system (1) can update the duration and frequency of use of the medical device (3) and it can prohibit further use of the medical device (3) when a predetermined limit of use is exceeded.
Abstract:
A transducer array (802) includes at least one ID array of transducing elements (804). The at least one ID array of transducing elements includes a plurality of transducing elements (904). A first of the plurality of transducing elements has a first apodization and a second of the plurality of transducing elements has a second apodization. The first apodization and the second apodization are different. The transducer array further includes at least one electrically conductive element (910) in electrical communication with each of the plurality of transducing elements. The transducer array further includes at least one electrical contact (906) in electrical communication with the at least one electrically conductive element. The at least one electrical contact concurrently addresses the plurality of transducing elements through the at least one electrically conductive element.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic imaging system is described in which a column-row-parallel architecture is provided at the circuit level of an ultrasonic transceiver. The ultrasonic imaging system can include a NxM array of transducer elements and a plurality of transceiver circuits where each transceiver circuit is connected to a corresponding one transducer element of the NxM array of transducer elements. A shared pulser gate driver and a shared VGA is provided for each row and column. Selection logic includes row select, column select, and per-element bit select. Through the column-row-parallel architecture, a variety of aperture configurations can be achieved.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system includes a CMUT transducer probe with an array of CMUT cells that can be configured to operate in different frequency ranges and with different acoustic element pitches for different clinical applications. The frequency response of the CMUT cells can be tailored for different clinical applications by increasing the DC bias voltage for higher frequency clinical applications, or decreasing the DC bias voltage for lower frequency applications. Individual acoustic elements including groups of CMUT cells can be configured to have a desired pitch that is optimal for the frequency being used for the imaging application.
Abstract:
An ultrasound generator comprising a signal generator and a transducer, and a method of generating ultrasound. The signal generator is arranged to receive, generate or calculate when instructed a modulating signal with a magnitude that varies within a first range, the signal generator is further arranged to generate a pulsed drive signal having a predefined first relationship to the modulating signal, the pulsed drive signal having at least a zero output level, a positive output level and a negative output level, wherein the position and width of pulses are defined by at least first and second switching angles per half cycle of the modulating signal. The transducer is arranged to generate ultrasound in response to the pulsed drive signal. The first relationship is selected such that within at least part of the range of magnitude of the modulating signal the first and second switching angles are adjusted simultaneously to provide for an increase or decrease in the magnitude of the fundamental frequency of the pulsed drive signal corresponding to an increase or decrease in the magnitude of the modulating signal. The first relationship is also selected such that a selected harmonic component of the generated pulsed drive signal is maintained below a first threshold.
Abstract:
Sold-state intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to compact and efficient circuit architectures and electrical interfaces for an ultrasound transducer array used in a solid-state IVUS system. In one embodiment, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device includes: a flexible elongate member; an ultrasound scanner assembly disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the ultrasound scanner assembly including an ultrasound transducer array; an interface coupler disposed at a proximal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a cable disposed within and extending along a length of the flexible elongate member between the ultrasound scanner assembly and the interface coupler. The cable includes four conductors electrically coupling the ultrasound scanner assembly and the interface coupler.