Mapping ultrasound transducers
First Claim
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1. A method for mapping an ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of transducer elements so as to improve a focus thereof, the method comprising:
- (a) driving the plurality of transducer elements so as to generate an ultrasound focus;
(b) varying a phase associated with a selected one of the transducer elements while driving the other transducer elements at a constant phase and measuring a resulting variation on a displacement associated with the focus using magnetic-resonance (MR) acoustic radiation force imaging; and
(c) selecting a value of the varied phase that is associated with a best focus quality by determining a phase difference, if any, between the constant and varied phases where the displacement is maximized and, if the phase difference is non-zero, adjusting a relative phase of the selected transducer element based thereon.
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Abstract
Ultrasound transducers may be mapped by varying a focus-affecting parameter and adjusting the parameter so as to improve focus quality. In some embodiments, mapping involves successively varying the phase of one transducer element, or group of elements, with respect to a constant phase of the other transducer elements, and determining the phase at which a tissue displacement in the ultrasound focus is maximized.
280 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for mapping an ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of transducer elements so as to improve a focus thereof, the method comprising:
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(a) driving the plurality of transducer elements so as to generate an ultrasound focus; (b) varying a phase associated with a selected one of the transducer elements while driving the other transducer elements at a constant phase and measuring a resulting variation on a displacement associated with the focus using magnetic-resonance (MR) acoustic radiation force imaging; and (c) selecting a value of the varied phase that is associated with a best focus quality by determining a phase difference, if any, between the constant and varied phases where the displacement is maximized and, if the phase difference is non-zero, adjusting a relative phase of the selected transducer element based thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling an ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of transducer elements, the method comprising:
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(a) mapping the ultrasound transducer by (i) driving the plurality of transducer elements so as to generate an ultrasound focus in a phantom, (ii) varying a focus-affecting parameter associated with at least one of the elements and measuring a resulting variation on a quality of the focus using magnetic-resonance acoustic radiation force imaging, and (iii) selecting a value of the parameter associated with a best focus quality; and (b) controlling the transducer based on the mapping step so as to focus ultrasound into internal body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification