Ultrasonic imaging and energy delivery device and method
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Publication Number
US-11065643-B2
Publication Date
2021-07-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ultrasonic device includes a driving circuit to provide drive power, a first transducer array to generate ultrasonic waves, the first transducer array being connected to receive power from the driving circuit, and a second transducer array to detect reflected or elicited ultrasonic waves incident on the device from a target and generate a signal based on those waves, the second transducer array being acoustically transmissive and disposed over the first transducer array such that the generated ultrasonic waves pass through the second transducer array. The second array is tuned to operate on top of the first. The functions of the two arrays may be reversed and the array tuned to operate with the first array receiving and the second array transmitting.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultrasonic device for ultrasonic therapy and/or ultrasonic imaging that uses two acoustically transmissive, stacked and electrically isolated transducer arrays. A first transducer array generates ultrasonic waves toward a target under drive power, while a second transducer array is disposed over the first array such that the generated ultrasonic waves pass through the second transducer array. The second transducer array detects reflected or elicited ultrasonic waves traveling toward the device from the target and generates a signal based on the detected ultrasonic waves.
The core arrangement includes the driving circuit disposed on a first side of the first transducer array, and the second transducer array disposed on a second side of the transducer array opposite the first side. The second transducer array is configured to be acoustically transmissive over the first transducer array so that transmit ultrasonic waves pass through it while receive detection is performed. The disclosure also describes impeding reflected or elicited ultrasonic waves from reaching the first transducer array by disposing a matching/de-matching layer between the first transducer array and the second transducer array.
The disclosure supports refinements that tune how the two arrays interact acoustically and how imaging information is produced. The second transducer array has a frequency response, steering response, and sensitivity response different from the first transducer array, including separation of first and second frequency bands for generating transmitted ultrasonic waves and detecting reflected ultrasonic waves. It also describes creating a digital image of a target region based on the detected signal or determining a material property of the target based on the signal, and includes thermally conductive heat transfer between array regions.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: an ultrasonic device claim and a method claim. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a stacked, acoustically transmissive second transducer array over a first transducer array for transmit-through and receive detection, with a matching/de-matching layer that impedes reflected or elicited ultrasonic waves from reaching the first array.
Acoustically transmissive stacked transducer arrays for transmit and receive
An ultrasonic device comprising a first transducer array to generate ultrasonic waves toward a target and a second transducer array to detect reflected or elicited ultrasonic waves traveling toward the device from the target, where the second transducer array is acoustically transmissive and disposed over the first transducer array such that generated ultrasonic waves pass through the second transducer array.
Opposite-side disposition of driving circuit and second transducer array
In the ultrasonic device, the driving circuit is disposed on a first side of the first transducer array, and the second transducer array is disposed on a second side of the transducer array opposite the first side.
Digital imaging or material-property determination using detected reflected or elicited waves
A method of conducting ultrasonic therapy or ultrasonic imaging using an ultrasonic device that detects, with the second transducer array, reflected or elicited ultrasonic waves from the target, generates a signal based on the detection, and either creates a digital image of the target region based on the signal or determines a material property of the target based on the signal.
Matching/de-matching layer to impede reflected or elicited waves from reaching the first array
A method in which reflected or elicited ultrasonic waves are impeded from reaching the first transducer array by disposing a matching/de-matching layer between the first transducer array and the second transducer array.
Together, the independent claims cover an ultrasonic device and method that transmit ultrasonic waves from a first transducer array through a second acoustically transmissive transducer array, use the second array to detect reflected or elicited waves and generate a signal, and optionally create a digital image or determine a material property, while a matching/de-matching layer impedes reflected or elicited waves from reaching the first array.
Stated Advantages
Improved frame rate compared with conventional pulse-echo switching because there is no quiescent period.
Reduced design and power-electronics constraints compared with conventional pulse-echo switching.
Documented Applications
Ultrasonic therapy and/or ultrasonic imaging using an ultrasonic device with stacked acoustically transmissive transducer arrays.
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