TWI791759B - An ultrasound apparatus, medical ultrasound system and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A device comprising: a first switch connected to an ultrasound transducer and a voltage source, the first switch being configured to change its electrical impedance between a first value and a second value; a second switch connected to the ultrasound transducer and an amplifier, The second switch is configured to change its electrical impedance between a third value and a fourth value; wherein the ratio of the magnitude of the first value to the magnitude of the second value is at least 103, and the magnitude of the third value is compared to the fourth value The ratio of the magnitudes of the values is at least 103.

Description

Ultrasound apparatus, medical ultrasound system and method for operating same

The present disclosure herein relates to ultrasound devices.

Ultrasound is used in many different fields. For example, ultrasonic waves can be used for ranging and detection of distant objects. Ultrasound can be used for imaging (eg sonography) and non-destructive testing.

Certain properties of an object may be gleaned from the ultrasound after the ultrasound interacts with the object. In the example of ultrasound imaging, images of the interior (eg, organs and tissues) of an object (eg, a human body) may be formed because matter inside may interact with ultrasound waves in different ways. Ultrasound imaging may not require ionizing radiation or contrast agents.

Disclosed herein is a device comprising: a first switch connected to an ultrasound transducer and a voltage source, wherein the first switch is configured to change its electrical impedance between a first value and a second value; a second switch connected to the ultrasound transducer A transducer and an amplifier, wherein the second switch is configured to change its electrical impedance between a third value and a fourth value; wherein the ratio of the magnitude of the first value to the magnitude of the second value is at least 103, and the third A ratio of the magnitude of the value to the magnitude of the fourth value is at least 103.

According to an embodiment, the device further comprises a controller configured to bring the electrical impedance of the first switch to a first value and to bring the electrical impedance of the second switch to a fourth value, or to bring the electrical impedance of the first switch to a second value And the electrical impedance of the second switch is at a third value.

According to an embodiment, the second value is less than 100 ohms, and the fourth value is less than 100 ohms.

According to an embodiment, the first switch comprises two back-to-back double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) field effect transistors (FETs), or wherein the second switch comprises two back-to-back DMOSFETs.

According to an embodiment, the DMOSFET is a first switch comprising two back-to-back double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) field effect transistors (FETs).

According to an embodiment, the device does not include a quarter wavelength transmission line.

According to an embodiment, the device comprises a memory storing ultrasound characteristics.

According to an embodiment, the device also includes a communication module to send and receive data with other internal or external functional modules.

Disclosed herein is a medical ultrasound system comprising: any one of the above devices; a transducer; a voltage source; and an amplifier.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising: switching the electrical impedance of a first switch connecting an ultrasound transducer to a voltage source from a first value to a second value, and switching the electrical impedance of a second switch connecting the ultrasound transducer to an amplifier switching the electrical impedance from a fourth value to a third value; providing a first electrical signal from a voltage source to the ultrasonic transducer via a first switch; switching the electrical impedance of the first switch from a second value to a first value, and The electrical impedance of the second switch switches from a third value to a fourth value; receiving a second electrical signal from the ultrasound transducer to the amplifier.

100: equipment

101: first switch

102: Second switch

104: Voltage source

106: Amplifier

110: Controller

111: Pulse

112: memory

113: Ultrasonic

120: Ultrasonic

121: Echo

122: Echo

130: object

131: part

132: part

151: Ultrasonic transducer

201: Double-Diffused Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (DMOS) Field-Effect Transistor (FET)

202: Double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) field effect transistor (FET)

203:DMOSFET

204:DMOSFET

205: voltage regulator

206:Voltage regulator

511: process

512: process

513: process

521: process

522: process

523: process

601: Medical ultrasound system

701: Non-destructive ultrasound system

Fig. 1 schematically shows a schematic diagram of a device for transmitting ultrasonic waves to an object and receiving echoes reflected from the object, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows a functional block diagram of devices, transducers, voltage sources and amplifiers of an ultrasound system according to an embodiment.

3A and 3B schematically illustrate electrical assembly diagrams of a first switch and a second switch of a device according to an embodiment.

4A and 4B each illustrate an example of a flowchart of a method of switching electrical impedance of a first switch and a second switch to cause an ultrasound transducer to generate or receive ultrasound waves, according to one embodiment.

5 and 6 each schematically illustrate a system including an ultrasound device as described herein.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a system comprising a device 100 transmitting ultrasound waves 119 to a subject 130 and receiving ultrasound waves 120 (which are part of the ultrasound waves 119 which have interacted with the subject 130). Ultrasound 119 may be continuous wave or discrete pulses. Object 130 may include two or more distinct parts (eg, part 131 and part 132). Different parts may resist the transmission of ultrasonic waves in different ways (eg have different acoustic impedances). A portion of ultrasonic wave 119 may be reflected by portion 131 ; and a portion may pass through portion 131 and be reflected by portion 132 thereafter. Thus, ultrasound waves 120 may include two sets of reflections. For example, if ultrasonic wave 119 has pulse 111 , then ultrasonic wave 120 has two echoes 121 and 122 of pulse 111 (generated by reflection of pulse 111 at portion 131 and portion 132 respectively). The time interval between pulse 111 and echo 121 can be used to determine the distance between device 100 and portion 131 ; the time interval between echoes 121 and 122 can be used to determine the distance between portions 131 and 132 . The intensities of echoes 121 and 122 can be used to determine the acoustic impedance of portions 131 and 132 .

FIG. 2 schematically shows a functional block diagram of a device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 100 may include a first switch 101 , a second switch 102 and a controller 110 . The figure also shows an ultrasound transducer 151 , a voltage source 104 and an amplifier 106 , which may be part of an ultrasound system and which may interact with the device 100 .

The ultrasonic transducer 151 may include a vibrator such as a capacitor or a piezoelectric material. When a voltage oscillating at one or more appropriate frequencies is applied to the vibrator, the vibrator deforms and thus generates ultrasonic waves, which correspond to the waveform of the voltage. When ultrasonic waves are applied to the vibrator, the vibrator deforms, and thus generates an oscillating voltage, which corresponds to the waveform of the ultrasonic waves.

The first switch 101 connects the voltage source 104 and the ultrasonic transducer 151 . The electrical impedance of the first switch 101 is variable between a first value and a second value under the control of the controller 110 . A ratio of the magnitude of the first value to the magnitude of the second value may be at least 1000. The second value of the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 may be less than 100 ohms. When the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 is at the first value, the electrical signal from the voltage source 104 is sufficiently attenuated by the first switch 101 without causing the ultrasonic transducer 151 to generate sufficient ultrasonic waves. When the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 is at the second value, the electrical signal from the voltage source 104 is not sufficiently attenuated by the first switch 101 , but the ultrasonic transducer 151 can generate sufficient ultrasonic waves.

The second switch 102 connects the amplifier 106 and the ultrasound transducer 151 . The electrical impedance of the second switch 101 can be varied between a third value and a fourth value under the control of the controller 110 . A ratio of the magnitude of the third value to the magnitude of the fourth value is at least 1000. The fourth value of the electrical impedance of the second switch 102 may be less than 100 ohms. When the electrical impedance of the second switch 102 is at the fourth value, the electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer 151 due to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic transducer 151 is not sufficiently attenuated, but is basically converted from the ultrasonic transducer via the second switch 102 Transmitter 151 to amplifier 106. When the second electrical impedance of the second switch 102 is at the third value, the electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer 151 due to the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic transducer 151 is sufficiently attenuated by the second switch.

When the ultrasonic transducer 151 is used to generate ultrasonic waves, the controller 110 may be configured to make the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 at the second value, and make the electrical impedance of the second switch at the third value. The electrical signal from the voltage source 104 is transmitted substantially unattenuated to the ultrasonic transducer 151 via the first switch, and drives the ultrasonic transducer 151 to generate ultrasonic waves. The electrical signal from the voltage source 104 does not substantially affect the amplifier 106 due to the high electrical impedance of the second switch 102 (eg, at the third value).

When the ultrasonic transducer 151 is used to receive ultrasonic waves (eg, from the object 130 ), the controller 110 may be configured to make the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 at a first value, and make the electrical impedance of the second switch 101 at a fourth value. The electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer 151 from the received ultrasonic wave passes through the second switch 102 basically is sent unattenuated to amplifier 106. The electrical signal from the voltage source 104 does not substantially affect the amplifier 106 due to the high electrical impedance of the first switch 101 (eg at the first value).

The device 100 can also have other peripheral modules, such as: a memory 112 for storing ultrasonic characteristics, such as the measured echo intensity and the calculated time of flight or other reference values; and a communication interface 113 for communicating with other internal or external functional modules or The devices exchange data.

3A and 3B schematically show assembly diagrams of the first switch 101 and the second switch 102 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3A , the first switch 101 may include a voltage regulator 206 and double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) field effect transistors (FETs) 201 and 202 . The source electrodes of DMOSFETs 201 and 202 are connected together ("back-to-back DMOSFETs") to form a bidirectional load switch. Voltage regulator 206 may be a switching voltage regulator configured to step up or boost a low input voltage signal from controller 110 and generate a controllable high output voltage to drive a DMOSFET switch. The drain electrode of DMOSFET 201 is connected to voltage source 104 and the drain electrode of DMOSFET 202 is connected to ultrasound transducer 151 . The gate electrodes of DMOSFETs 201 and 202 receive an output from voltage regulator 206, which can switch DMOSFETs 201 and 202 on or off.

As shown in FIG. 3B , the second switch 102 may include a voltage regulator 205 and two DMOSFETs 203 and 204 . The source electrodes of DMOSFETs 203 and 204 are connected together ("back-to-back DMOSFETs") to form a bidirectional load switch. Voltage regulator 205 may be a switching voltage regulator configured to step up or boost a low input voltage signal from controller 110 and generate a controllable high output voltage to drive back-to-back DMOSFETs. The drain electrode of DMOSFET 203 is connected to amplifier 106 , and the drain electrode of DMOSFET 204 is connected to ultrasound transducer 151 . The gate electrodes of DMOSFETs 203 and 204 receive an output from voltage regulator 205, which can switch DMOSFETs 201 and 202 on or off.

A DMOSFET, such as DMOSFETs 201-204 herein, may have the source electrode placed above the drain electrode, where current flows vertically when the DMOSFET is on. A gate electrode of a DMOSFET may have a V shape or a U shape.

In an embodiment, device 100 does not include a quarter wavelength transmission line.

4A and 4B each schematically show a flowchart of a method for switching the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 and the second switch 102 so that the ultrasonic transducer 151 generates or receives ultrasonic waves according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4A , at process 511 , the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 connecting the ultrasound transducer 151 to the voltage source 104 is switched from a first value to a second value (eg, using the controller 110 ). At process 512, the electrical impedance of the second switch 102 connecting the ultrasound transducer 151 to the amplifier 106 is switched from a fourth value to a third value (eg, using the controller 110). In process 513 , the voltage source 104 provides a first electrical signal to the ultrasound transducer via the first switch 101 . The first electrical signal can drive the ultrasonic transducer 151 to generate ultrasonic waves.

As shown in FIG. 4B , at process 521 , the electrical impedance of the first switch 101 connecting the ultrasound transducer 151 to the voltage source 104 is switched from a second value to a first value (eg, using the controller 110 ). At process 522, the electrical impedance of the second switch 102 connecting the ultrasound transducer 151 to the amplifier 106 is switched from a third value to a fourth value (eg, using the controller 110). In process 523 , the second electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer 151 from the received ultrasonic waves is transmitted to the amplifier 106 through the second switch 102 .

FIG. 5 schematically shows a medical ultrasound system 601 comprising the device 100 described herein, the ultrasound transducer 151 , the voltage source 104 and the amplifier 106 . System 601 may be used for medical imaging such as echocardiography (to view the heart, as shown in FIG. 5 ), fetal ultrasound, abdominal ultrasound, osteometry (to assess bone fragility), and the like. System 601 is configured to transmit and receive continuous or discrete ultrasound waves. Ultrasound images may be generated based on the reflection of ultrasound waves from the human body. The intensity and timing of the reflections can provide information useful for generating images. Images can be captured instantaneously and thus show the movement of internal organs of the body and blood flowing through vessels. Unlike X-ray imaging, there is no ionizing radiation exposure associated with ultrasound imaging.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an industrial non-contact and nondestructive ultrasound system 701 comprising the device 100 , ultrasound transducer 151 , voltage source 104 and amplifier 106 described herein. The system 701 can be used for material testing and inspection without contacting the test material or test subject (eg metal pipes or engine drive shafts). In an example, system 701 is configured to generate ultrasound pulses, which reflect from a sample and cause electrical signals. The electrical signals are interpreted by the software and provide clues about the internal structure of the sample, such as cracks or defects. Non-contact ultrasound facilitates testing of materials or components that are continuously rolled, coated, oxidized, or difficult to physically access on the production line, in extremely hot environments.

Although various aspects and embodiments are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are by way of illustration and not limitation, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

100: equipment

101: first switch

102: Second switch

104: Voltage source

106: Amplifier

110: Controller

111: Pulse

112: memory

113: Ultrasonic

151: Ultrasonic transducer

Claims (9)

An ultrasonic device comprising: a first switch connected to an ultrasonic transducer and a voltage source, the first switch configured to change its electrical impedance between a first value and a second value; a second switch connected to the ultrasonic transducer and an amplifier, the second switch configured to vary its electrical impedance between a third value and a fourth value; and a controller configured to cause the electrical impedance of the first switch to be at the first value and the electrical impedance of the second switch is at the fourth value, or the electrical impedance of the first switch is at the second value and the electrical impedance of the second switch is at the third value; wherein the ratio of the magnitude of the first value to the magnitude of the second value is at least 10 ³ , and the magnitude of the third value is equal to the magnitude of the fourth value The ratio is at least 10 ³ . The ultrasonic device according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the second value is less than 100 ohms, and the fourth value is less than 100 ohms. The ultrasonic device as claimed in claim 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the first switch comprises two back-to-back double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (DMOS) field-effect transistors (FETs), or wherein the second switch comprises two back-to-back DMOSFETs. The ultrasonic device according to item 3 of the scope of patent application, wherein the DMOSFET is that the first switch includes two back-to-back double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (DMOS) field-effect transistors (FETs). Such as the ultrasonic device of item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the device does not include a quarter-wavelength transmission line. The ultrasonic device according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the device includes a memory for storing ultrasonic characteristics. For example, the ultrasonic equipment in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the equipment also includes a communication module to send and receive data with other internal or external functional modules. A medical ultrasound system, comprising: the device according to any one of items 1-7 of the scope of patent application; the transducer; the voltage source; and the amplifier. A method for operating a medical ultrasound system comprising: switching, by a controller, an electrical impedance of a first switch connecting an ultrasound transducer and a voltage source from a first value to a second value, and switching, by the controller, switching the electrical impedance of the second switch connected to the ultrasonic transducer from a fourth value to a third value; providing a first electrical signal from the voltage source to the ultrasonic transducer through the first switch; by switching the electrical impedance of the first switch from the second value to the first value by the controller, and switching the electrical impedance of the second switch from the third value by the controller switching to the fourth value; receiving a second electrical signal from the ultrasound transducer to the amplifier via the second switch.

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