Pulse amplifier for driving ultrasound transducers
AssigneesThe Regents of the University of Michigan, University of Washington
InventorsAdam D. Maxwell, Bryan Cunitz, Michael R. Bailey, Vera Khokhlova, Timothy L. Hall
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include improved radiofrequency (RF) pulse amplifier systems that incorporate an energy array comprising multiple capacitors connected in parallel. The energy array extends the maximum length of pulses and the maximum achievable peak power output of the amplifier when compared to similar systems. Embodiments also include systems comprising the amplifier configured to drive a load, wherein the load may include one or more ultrasound (e.g., piezoelectric) transducers Related methods of using the amplifier are also provided.
Claims24
An apparatus for generating pulses to drive an ultrasound transducer array, the apparatus comprising:
- an amplifier;
- an energy array coupled to the amplifier and to a charge power source, the energy array including:
- a first energy module having a first capacitance and a first resonant frequency;
- and
- a second energy module having a second capacitance and a second resonant frequency,
- wherein the first energy module and the second energy module are connected in parallel with one another, wherein the first capacitance is greater than the second capacitance, and wherein the second resonant frequency is 2 to 20 times the first resonant frequency, and
- wherein the energy array is configured to:
- store energy from the charge power source to start a pulse generation cycle in response to a first control signal from a control device;
- and
- transfer stored energy to generate a pulse for driving the ultrasound transducer array at a driving frequency in response to a second control signal from the control device, wherein the generated pulse has a pulse voltage level of at least 1 Vpp and has a pulse duration time that is in a range of pulse duration times from 0.001 ms to an upper pulse duration time.
An ultrasound system comprising:
- an amplifier;
- a transducer array coupled to the amplifier through a matching network;
- an energy array coupled to the amplifier and to a charge power source, the energy array including:
- a first energy module having a first capacitance and a first resonant frequency;
- and
- a second energy module having a second capacitance and a second resonant frequency,
- wherein the first energy module and the second energy module are coupled in parallel with one another, wherein the first capacitance is greater than the second capacitance, and wherein the second resonant frequency is 2 to 20 times the first resonant frequency,
- wherein the amplifier is configured to:
- store energy in the energy array from the charge power source to start a pulse generation cycle in response to a first control signal from a control device;
- and
- drive the ultrasound transducer array by generating a pulse using energy stored in the energy array in response to a second control signal from the control device, wherein the generated pulse has a pulse voltage level of at least 1 Vpp and a pulse duration time within a range of pulse duration times from at least 0.001 ms to an upper pulse duration time, and
- wherein the energy array is configured such that the pulse voltage level of the generated pulse varies no more than 10% over the generated pulse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.