Application of integrated electronics to ultrasonic medical instruments (original) (raw)
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Improving ultrasound imaging with integrated electronics electronic
This paper presents an integrated electronic preamplifier design based on discrete components and evaluates its impact on image performances. The electronic, located close to the transducer, incorporates all useful functions to ensure compatible direct connection with most ultrasound scanners available on the market today. People who has worked on this subject know that numerous challenges and problems have to be overcome : high voltage bypass, preamplifier protection cells, miniaturization, power dissipation, electronic stability and many other constraints. We will discuss different unavoidable tradeoffs, starting with electrical performances and then with practical aspects. Our electronic solution has been evaluated with different probe configurations, namely a 5 MHz Phased Array and a 9.5 MHz Linear Array probe. Images have been acquired and analysis of signal to noise ratio (SNR) performed to quantify the gain in image quality.
TECCIENCIA, 2013
This paper introduces the reader to a review and analysis of various ultrasound (us) applications in the medical field. First, the transducer is shown, along with a diagram of the basic electronics that it uses to generate and receive signals that allow the reconstruction of images, for medical purposes. Also, us practical uses in medical therapy is shown. This subject is addressed by combining the physical principles involved in the us application, with the implemented technology and the modes of operation for non-invasive studies of pathologies related to brain, heart, and eyes such as injuries, tumors and hematomas. The methodology used in this article also suggests an analysis method for the us scientific and technological research principles combined for their implementation in medical applications.
Electronics for Ultrasonic Imaging System
Elektronika ir Elektrotechnika, 2014
Design of ultrasonic imaging system is presented. System has a modular structure with main acquisition and front end electronics separated in order to have minimal path for host PC connectivity and shortest path to ultrasonic transducer. Such acquisition modules placement allows reducing the induced EMI and increasing the flexibility of the system. Positioning module is also separate and allows various scanning equipment configurations. Evaluation of excitation and reception electronics parameters is presented. Essential measurement procedures outlined. Signal digitization parameters (sampling frequency, clock jitter and quantisation) were chosen to balance time of flight estimation random errors versus interpolation bias errors.
A CMUT Probe for Medical Ultrasonography: From Microfabrication to System Integration
Medical ultrasonography is a powerful and costeffective diagnostic technique. To date, high-end medical imaging systems are able to efficiently implement real-time image formation techniques that can dramatically improve the diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound. Highly performing and thermally efficient ultrasound probes are then required to successfully enable the most advanced techniques. In this context, ultrasound transducer technology is the current limiting factor.
The Influence of Front-End Hardware on Digital Ultrasonic Imaging
IEEE Transactions on Sonics and Ultrasonics
Abstruct-Digital ultrasonic imaging systems are critically dependent upon transducers and "front-end'' electronics, for the generation of insonifying pulses, the detection of reflected echoes, and the conversion of data to digital form. The impulse response, frequency and spatial characteristics of the transducer, and the electrical characteristics o f the analog-tedigital interface are important factors in image reconstruction and enhancement, on a par with signal processing techniques. Selected theoretical and practical aspects of front-end hardware, and their influence o n image quality arc reviewcd. The theoretical basis of transducer design is briefly rcviewcd, including methods for prediction of transducer performance, acoustic field distribution, and element configuration: the limitations of each method are carefully discussed. Next, the design of the interface electronics is examined, demonstrating the requirements for sampling rate, signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, impedance matching, etc. The design and construction of a phased array transducer system is used to illustrate the practical aspects o f transducer and interface design, including the trade-offs involved. Finally, future trends in ultrasonic transducer design are discussed, including new piezoelcctric materials (e.g., rare earth piezoceramics and piezoelectric polymers and composites), as well as the impact of new integrated circuit techniques. I. INT1IOI)UCTION U LTRASONIC imaging for medical and nondestructive testing purposes has made significant progress since its very beginnings over thirty years ago [ 1 1. Much of the recent increase in the use of diagnostic ultrasonic imaging can be traced to improvements in image quality. The new digital imaging systems coming into use hold the promise of further enhancing image quality. In addition, new image analysis techniques are a key element in the "ultimate goal" of medical ultrasonic imaging, which is tissue characterization. The flexibility inherent in digital imaging systems enables the designer to use a wide range of algorithms to reconstruct, enhance, and analyze ultrasonic images. However, the usefulness of these algorithms is limited by the quality of the original data. Critical to any digital ultrasonic imaging system is the "front-end": the transducer and associated electronics which link the digital system to the medium under examination. Although imaging capabilities can be augmented by digital processing techniques, the front-end hardware often sets the system performance limits. In particular, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bandwidth, and dynamic range of the raw digital data all have an influence on the utility of certain image processing approaches.
2010
Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays are conveniently integrated with frontend integrated circuits either monolithically or in a hybrid multichip form. This integration helps with reducing the number of active data processing channels for 2D arrays. This approach also preserves the signal integrity for arrays with small elements. Therefore CMUT arrays integrated with electronic circuits are most suitable to implement miniaturized probes required for many intravascular, intracardiac, and endoscopic applications. This paper presents examples of miniaturized CMUT probes utilizing 1D, 2D, and ring arrays with integrated electronics.
34.1 An 8960-Element Ultrasound-on-Chip for Point-of-Care Ultrasound
2021 IEEE International Solid- State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), 2021
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is transforming healthcare worldwide as a diagnostic tool with the potential to significantly reduce the delay between symptom onset and initiation of therapy. Conventional POCUS systems are based on piezoelectric transducers and cable-connected electronics, which require a costly manufacturing process and usually come with an undesirably limited channel count. Such devices typically serve a specific subset of clinical applications, as imaging at different body parts calls for different ultrasound frequencies that are beyond the bandwidth of a single piezoelectric transducer. To enable whole-body imaging, multiple probes with different frequencies, apertures and beamforming (BF) methods are generally required. This further limits the affordability and accessibility of POCUS. Recent advances in micromachined ultrasound transducers (MUTs) have offered an alternative path to addressing these challenges. However, previous attempts to integrate MUTs with ...
Instrumentation Design for Ultrasonic Imaging
The purpose of this chapter is to show how piezoelectric transduction, sound wave propagation, and interaction with scattering targets are taken advantage of in image formation with an ultrasound instrument. These instruments have evolved over the last 40 years from relatively simple hand-moved scanners built around an off-the-shelf oscilloscope to rather sophisticated imaging computers. Much technology has been perfected during this evolution. For example, transducers have grown from circular single-element probes to precision arrays with more than 1000 elements. With better front-end electronics, the operating frequencies have increased as weaker echoes can be handled. As the gate counts of VLSI ASICs (very large-scale integration application-specific integrated circuits) have increased, the numbers of processing channels in array-based systems have risen. With the introduction of reasonably low-cost high-speed (20 to 60 MHz) 8-to 14-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, digital beam formation has become the standard. Further, we are witnessing today the beginning of a shift to completely software-based beam formation that has the potential of elimination of the very high development costs of ASICs. Along with these developments is a shift to more and more compact systems. Throughout its history, medical ultrasound has been a very dynamic field; it appears that this will not change in the near future. The organization of this chapter is based on the discussion of a block diagram of a generalized ultrasound system. Each component of the block diagram will be reviewed in considerable detail. Different design approaches for the various blocks will be reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. Those areas of the block diagram which are targets of significant current research are summarized along with the major industry trends.
Integrated ultrasonic imaging systems based on CMUT arrays: recent progress
IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium, 2004, 2004
This paper describes the development of an ultrasonic imaging system based on a two-dimensional capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array. The transducer array and front-end electronics are designed to fit in a 5-mm endoscopic channel. A custom-designed integrated circuit, which comprises the front-end electronics, will be connected with the transducer elements via through-wafer interconnects and flip-chip bonding. FPGA-based signal-processing hardware will provide real-time three-dimensional imaging. The imaging system is being developed to demonstrate a means of integrating the front-end electronics with the transducer array and to provide a clinically useful technology. Integration of the electronics can improve signal-to-noise ratio, reduce the number of cables connecting the imaging probe to a separate processing unit, and provide a means of connecting electronics to large twodimensional transducer arrays. This paper describes the imaging system architecture and the progress we have made on implementing each of its components: a 16x16 CMUT array, custom-designed integrated circuits, a flip-chip bonding technique, and signal-processing hardware.
A novel digital ultrasound system for experimental research activities
Proceedings - 11th EUROMICRO Conference on Digital System Design Architectures, Methods and Tools, DSD 2008, 2008
Commercial ultrasound (US) equipment, although widely employed in diagnostic applications, is not suitable for the development and test of new investigation methods. Their typical architecture, designed for clinical use, is often "closed" and does not fit the requirements of flexibility, data access, programmability, which are necessary for the implementation of original approaches. More flexibility is achieved in high-level platforms, but they are typically characterized by high cost and dimensions. In this paper, a novel US system, specifically designed for research purposes, is presented. Its architecture is based on hi-end programmable devices to obtain the maximum flexibility with minimum cost and size. A preliminary example of application involving simultaneous B-mode and an experimental Doppler technique is discussed.