Integrated bias circuitry for ultrasound imaging devices configured to image the interior of a living being
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorJon M. Knight
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The systems and methods described herein allow for the application of a bias voltage to one or more transducers implemented within a medical ultrasound imaging system. Bias circuitry is placed within an imaging device and used to apply a DC bias to one or more transducers requiring a DC bias to operate. The one or more transducers can be fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing process and integrated with the bias circuitry on a common semiconductor substrate. Also provided is a method for operating the one or more transducers and bias circuitry using a communication channel having two signal lines.
Claims20
A medical imaging system, comprising:
- an imaging device configured and arranged to be insertable into an intravascular portion of a living being and to image the interior of the living being, the imaging device comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer;
- and
- bias circuitry electrically coupled with the transducer and configured and arranged to electrically bias the transducer;
- a driveshaft coupled to the imaging device and configured and arranged for rotating the imaging device;
- a signal line located along the driveshaft and coupled to both the ultrasound transducer and the bias circuitry and configured and arranged for delivery of both a transducer drive signal to the transducer and a charge to the bias circuitry;
- an image processing system configured and arranged to provide the transducer drive signal and the charge for the bias circuitry;
- and
- a coupling device configured and arranged to inductively couple the signal line to the image processing system, wherein the image processing system is configured and arranged to provide the charge for the bias circuitry using a signal which appears as an AC signal to the coupling device.
A intravascular ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
- an imaging device configured and arranged to be insertable into an intravascular portion of a living being and to image the interior of the living being, the imaging device comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer;
- and
- bias circuitry electrically coupled with the transducer and configured and arranged to electrically bias the transducer;
- a driveshaft coupled to the imaging device and configured and arranged for rotating the imaging device;
- an image processing system configured and arranged to output a transducer drive signal during a first time period, receive an echo signal during a second time period and output a bias signal during a third time period, wherein the second time period is after the first time period and the third time period is after the second time period and wherein the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period are in a single imaging cycle;
- a signal line located along the driveshaft and coupled to the image processing system, the ultrasound transducer, and the bias circuitry and configured and arranged for transmission of the transducer drive signal, the echo signal, and the bias signal;
- wherein the transducer drive signal is configured and arranged to cause a transducer to generate an ultrasound pulse, the echo signal is representative of an echo received by the transducer and the bias signal is configured and arranged to provide electrical charge to the bias circuitry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.