Multi-segment ultrasound transducers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of focusing an ultrasound transducer arrangement comprising a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, independently movable segments, each transducer segment comprising a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements and each transducer element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, the method comprising:
- (a) for each of the plurality of transducer segments, adjusting relative phases of the transducer elements within the segment so as to create a focus associated with the segment; and
(b) following step (a), bringing the foci associated with the segments in phase by measuring, for each segment, a total phase associated with the focus relative to a phase of a global focus; and
(c) determining whether the focus is in phase with the global focus and, if not, adjusting the total phase of the focus to a phase of the global focus.
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Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for focusing ultrasound transducers that include multiple separate, independently movable transducer segments.
351 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of focusing an ultrasound transducer arrangement comprising a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, independently movable segments, each transducer segment comprising a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements and each transducer element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, the method comprising:
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(a) for each of the plurality of transducer segments, adjusting relative phases of the transducer elements within the segment so as to create a focus associated with the segment; and (b) following step (a), bringing the foci associated with the segments in phase by measuring, for each segment, a total phase associated with the focus relative to a phase of a global focus; and (c) determining whether the focus is in phase with the global focus and, if not, adjusting the total phase of the focus to a phase of the global focus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of focusing an ultrasound transducer arrangement comprising a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, independently movable segments, each transducer segment comprising a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements and each transducer element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, the method comprising:
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(a) for each of the plurality of transducer segments, adjusting relative phases of the transducer elements within the segment so as to create a focus associated with the segment; and (b) following step (a), bringing the foci associated with the segments to overlap by measuring, for each segment, a location of the focus relative to a location of a global focus; and (c) determining whether the focus is co-located with the global focus and, if not, shifting the focus to the global focus. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for focusing ultrasound, the system comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer arrangement comprising a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, independently movable segments, each transducer segment comprising a phased array of individually controllable transducer elements and each transducer element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements for generating an ultrasound focus associated therewith; a magnetic resonance imaging system for imaging the ultrasound foci associated with the segments; and in communication with the magnetic resonance imaging system and the ultrasound transducer arrangement, a control facility configured to, for each segment, (i) adjust relative phases of the transducer elements within the segment so as to create a focus associated with the segment, (ii) following step (i), based at least in part on an image of the ultrasound focus, determine whether the focus is co-located and in phase with a global focus, and, if not, (iii) adjust at least one of a position, a total phase, or a phase gradient of the segment so as to co-locate and bring the focus in phase with the global focus. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of treating a target using ultrasound, the method comprising:
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arranging a plurality of separate, spaced-apart independently movable transducer segments, each comprising a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements and each transducer element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, around the target; calibrating the arrangement of the transducer segments by (i) adjusting relative phases of the transducer elements within each segment so as to generate an ultrasound focus associated with the segment, (ii) following step (i), imaging the ultrasound focus of each segment to determine whether it coincides with a global focus at the target and, if not, (iii) adjusting the segment to bring the ultrasound focus in coincidence with the global focus; and simultaneously driving the transducer segments to focus ultrasound into the target, thereby treating the target. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A control system for operating an ultrasound system used in conjunction with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the ultrasound system comprising an arrangement of separate, spaced-apart, independently movable transducer segments, each transducer segment comprising a phased array of individually controllable transducer elements and each transducer element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, for generating an ultrasound focus associated therewith, the control system comprising circuitry for (i) adjusting relative phases of the transducer elements within each segment to generate an associated ultrasound focus, (ii) following step (i), based at least in part on an image of the ultrasound focus, determining whether the focus is collocated and in phase with a global focus, and, if not, (iii) adjusting at least one of a position, a total phase, or a phase gradient of the segment so as to co-locate and bring the focus in phase with the global focus.
Specification