US 12,754,300 B2 · Transducer module architecture for enhancing sensitivity of an ultrasound system

Abstract

Systems and methods for implementing a transducer module architecture that enhances sensitivity of an ultrasound system are described. To enhance sensitivity while using a transducer element for transmission and reception, a transducer module's architecture provides operation-specific impedance matching. Operation-specific impedance matching means that different impedances are provided for mitigating mismatch loss during transmission and reception. The impedance provided for reception can be associated with separate signal path with a smaller amount of attenuation compared to the impedance provided for transmission. In this way, the architecture enhances sensitivity of the ultrasound system by reducing an amount of attenuation experienced during reception compared to other ultrasound systems that utilize a same impedance for impedance matching during transmission and reception. With enhanced sensitivity, the ultrasound system can utilize higher frequencies and/or broader bandwidths to provide high-resolution images at farther imaging depths while meeting power-intensity guidelines.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a transducer module of an ultrasound system, the transducer module comprising:
a transducer element configured to:
be coupled to a transmitter and a receiver of the ultrasound system;
transmit an ultrasound transmit signal during a first time interval;
and
receive an ultrasound receive signal during a second time interval that differs from the first time interval;
and
an impedance matching circuit coupled to the transducer element, the transducer module having an architecture configured to:
propagate a version of the ultrasound transmit signal provided by the transmitter in a manner that passes through first and second portions of the impedance matching circuit to the transducer element during the first time interval;
and
propagate a version of the ultrasound receive signal from the transducer element to the receiver in a manner that bypasses the first portion of the impedance matching circuit during the second time interval and that passes through the second portion of the impedance matching circuit during the second time interval.

8 more elements

A method for enhancing sensitivity of an ultrasound system, the method comprising:

propagating a version of an ultrasound transmit signal provided by a transmitter of the ultrasound system through first and second portions of an impedance matching circuit of a transducer module of the ultrasound system to a transducer element of the transducer module, the impedance matching circuit comprising at least one series component;
transmitting the ultrasound transmit signal using the transducer element;
receiving an ultrasound receive signal using the transducer element;
and
propagating a version of the ultrasound receive signal from the transducer element to a receiver of the ultrasound system in a manner that bypasses the first portion of the at least one series component of the impedance matching circuit and that passes through the second portion of the at least one series component.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Transducer module architecture for enhancing sensitivity of an ultrasound system

Life of this patent

Transducer module architecture for enhancing sensitivity of an ultrasound system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20