WO2025233230A1

WO2025233230A1 - Optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers

Info

Publication number: WO2025233230A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/062007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Davidsen; Jeffrey Sherman
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2024-05-08
Filing date: 2025-05-01
Publication date: 2025-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-08

Abstract

An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound base, and a cable. The ultrasound probe includes an array of transducer elements, an encoder that encodes ultrasound data from the array of transducer elements, a digital driver, and an optical modulator. The ultrasound base includes an optical source that generates and sends an optical signal to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and an optical demodulator that demodulates a modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe. The cable transmits the optical signal from the optical source of the ultrasound base to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and transmits the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe to the optical demodulator of the ultrasound base. The modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver from the array of transducer elements.

Description

OPTICAL DATA TRANSFER FOR DIGITAL ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Cart-based ultrasound systems may include a system cart with one or more specialized transducer(s) with an array of transducer elements. Transducers emit ultrasonic energy and receive echoes which are converted to analog radio frequency signals. These analog radio frequency signals are passed from the transducer to the system cart via a coaxial cable bundle, with each cable in the coaxial cable bundle conducting a separate analog signal. The analog signals are converted to digital signals within the system cart. Beamforming and signal processing are then performed in the digital domain in the system cart. The number of channels in cart-based ultrasound systems is a key design choice that relates to image quality. For general imaging, more channels allows for larger active apertures without compromises that reduce frame rates. On the other hand, the number of channels is related to system cost and transducer cable size required to support the analog signals. For example, thicker cables have ergonomic impacts that can lead to user repetitive strain injuries.

[0002] An example current card-based ultrasound system has 128 channels, but other example current systems have more channels such as 192 channels or 256 channels. More channels generally correspond to better image quality and frame rate.

[0003] Power dissipation in the transducer is a key constraint for the possibility of a digital transducer, where analog to digital conversion takes place within the transducer handle. Transducers are used to capture and send large amounts of data, so they already typically include significant amounts of circuit elements which generate heat. Power dissipation in the transducer corresponds to a hotter transducer, which may be problematic when the transducer is handheld. However, if a digital ultrasound transducer can address the power dissipation concern, digital ultrasound transducers could be welcomed in the market.

[0004] If a fiber optic cable were to be used to transmit digital data between two elements such as a transducer and a system cart, a conventional approach would be to locate an optical signal source within the transducer. However, the power consumption of this approach would add significant heat, reducing overall image quality due to a strict thermal budget for the transducer. Accordingly, alternative solutions are required to make a digital ultrasound transducer feasible. SUMMARY

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound base, and a cable. The ultrasound probe includes an array of transducer elements, an encoder that encodes ultrasound data from the array of transducer elements, a digital driver, and an optical modulator. The ultrasound base includes an optical source that generates and sends an optical signal to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and an optical demodulator that demodulates a modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe. The cable transmits the optical signal from the optical source of the ultrasound base to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and transmits the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe to the optical demodulator of the ultrasound base. The modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver from the array of transducer elements.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasound probe includes an array of transducer elements, an encoder that encodes ultrasound data from the array of transducer elements, a digital driver, and an optical modulator. The ultrasound probe is configured to connect to an ultrasound base via a cable. The ultrasound base includes an optical source that is configured to generate and send an optical signal to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and an optical demodulator that is configured to demodulate a modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe. The cable is configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical source of the ultrasound base to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and to transmit the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe to the optical demodulator of the ultrasound base. The modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver from the array of transducer elements. [0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an ultrasound base includes an optical source and an optical demodulator. The optical source generates and sends an optical signal to an optical modulator of an ultrasound probe. The optical demodulator demodulates a modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound base is configured to connect to the ultrasound probe via a cable. The cable is configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical source of the ultrasound base to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and to transmit the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe to the optical demodulator of the ultrasound base. The modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver from the array of transducer elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The example embodiments are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawing figures. It is emphasized that the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. Wherever applicable and practical, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a method for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In the following detailed description, for the purposes of explanation and not limitation, representative embodiments disclosing specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments according to the present teachings. However, other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure that depart from specific details disclosed herein remain within the scope of the appended claims. Descriptions of known systems, devices, materials, methods of operation and methods of manufacture may be omitted so as to avoid obscuring the description of the representative embodiments. Nonetheless, systems, devices, materials and methods that are within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the present teachings and may be used in accordance with the representative embodiments. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Definitions and explanations for terms herein are in addition to the technical and scientific meanings of the terms as commonly understood and accepted in the technical field of the present teachings.

[0016] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept. [0017] As used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms of terms ‘a,’ ‘an’ and ‘the’ are intended to include both singular and plural forms, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the terms "comprises", and/or "comprising," and/or similar terms when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0018] Unless otherwise noted, when an element or component is said to be “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “adjacent to” another element or component, it will be understood that the element or component can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or component, or intervening elements or components may be present. That is, these and similar terms encompass cases where one or more intermediate elements or components may be employed to connect two elements or components. However, when an element or component is said to be “directly connected” to another element or component, this encompasses only cases where the two elements or components are connected to each other without any intermediate or intervening elements or components.

[0019] The present disclosure, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features or sub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of the advantages as specifically noted below. [0020] As described herein, digitization may be provided in transducers to move digitization in the signal path from within the system carts to within the transducers. Low-power analog-to- digital converters may be used in a configuration so that ultrasound signals are multiplexed onto high speed digital links from the transducer to the system cart in which the digitized signals are fed into the digital beamformer. High speed links may be implemented on a fiber optic cable in accordance with teachings herein so as to meet throughput and power limitations. Digitization of analog signals within an ultrasound transducer provides benefits of increasing imaging quality with greater numbers of channels along with lower system cost from miniaturization and relocation of front end electronics from the system cart to the transducer. The use of a fiber optic link between the transducer and the system cart reduces thermal dissipation in the transducer, reduces complexity of cable designs, and supports high data transfer requirements.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0022] The system 100 in FIG. 1 is a system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers and includes components that may be provided together or that may be distributed. The system 100 includes an ultrasound probe 110, a cable 131, an ultrasound base 120, and a display 180.

[0023] The ultrasound probe 110 is mobile and handheld, and includes a transducer array 113, a processing circuit 115, an encoder 116, a digital driver 117, and an optical modulator 118. The transducer array 113 includes an array of transducer elements including at least a first transducer element 1131 , a second transducer element 1132, and an Xth transducer element 113X. The ultrasound probe 110 may include more elements than shown in FIG. 1. The transducer array 113 converts electrical energy into sound waves which bounce off of body tissue and receives echoes of the sound waves and converts the echoes into electrical energy. The transducer array 113 may include dozens, hundreds, or thousands of individual transducer elements. The ultrasound probe 110 may transmit a beam to produce images and may detect echoes. The processing circuit 115 may include analog-to-digital converters, a memory that stores instructions, a processor that executes the instructions, and/or other forms of circuit elements to process the echoes of sound waves received by the transducer array 113 and converted into electrical energy. The ultrasound probe 110 may comprise, for example, a TEE ultrasound probe or a TIE ultrasound probe. [0024] The encoder 116 encodes the digital data from the processing circuit 115. The encoder 116 is responsible for ensuring that the low frequency (DC) spectrum of transmitted data is kept relatively low (also called DC balance, or disparity) and for ensuring that the data has a guaranteed number of edges per word so the data can be recovered easily at the receiver. The encoder may be an 8b/10b encoder, or a scrambling encoder such as 128b/132b encoder.

[0025] The digital driver 117 drives the encoded data from the encoder 116 through the optical modulator 118 and into the cable 131. The digital driver 117 adds digitized acoustic data from the array of transducer elements to the optical signal from the optical source 128.

[0026] The optical modulator 118 in FIG. 1 is configured to modulate a digital signal driven by the digital driver 117. The optical modulator 118 may employ an electro-optic phenomena to perform phase or amplitude modulation of a carrier optical signal provided to the optical modulator 118. The optical modulator 118 may be an electro-optic device with an internal refractive index changed by electrical signals. Examples of the phenomena include Pockels, Kerr, Franz-Keldysh and Quantum-Confined Stark effects. The modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver 117 from the array of transducer elements. The optical modulator 118 changes parameters of light passing through, such as amplitude, phase, or polarization.

[0027] In some alternative embodiments, however, instead of digital signaling down the cable 131, the optical fiber may carry a modulated signal in the analog domain. Instead of sending bits, an analog signal may be mixed with a high frequency carrier wave before modulating the optical channel. The analog signals may be mixed with carriers in the 100’s of MHz or gigahertz (GHz) range. Given the low frequency nature of an ultrasound signal, the resulting high frequency signal may be relatively narrowband, and thus can be closely separated in the frequency space. The modulated signal may then be processed to extract the lower frequency information. These alternative embodiments may require a per-channel specific carrier frequency and mixer.

[0028] The ultrasound base 120 includes a first interface 121, a second interface 122, a third interface 123, an optical source 128, and a controller 150. An ultrasound base 120 may include more elements than depicted in FIG. 1. One or more of the interfaces may include ports, disk drives, wireless antennas, or other types of receiver circuitry that connect the controller 150 to other electronic elements. The first interface 121 connects the ultrasound base 120 to the ultrasound probe 110 via the cable 131, and may comprise a port, an antenna, and/or another type of physical component for wired or wireless communications. The second interface 122 connects the ultrasound base 120 to the display 180, and may also comprise a port, an antenna, and/or another type of physical component for wired or wireless communications. The third interface 123 is a user interface, and may comprise buttons, keys, a mouse, a microphone, a speaker, switches, a touchscreen, or other type of display separate from the display 180, and/or other types of physical components that allow medical personnel to interact with the ultrasound base 120 such as to enter instructions and receive output. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound base 120 may also include a fan for cooling heat generated by the optical source 128. The optical source 128 may comprise a laser, for example, or another type of coherent optical source.

[0029] An important aspect of the teachings herein is the use of the optical source 128 that is located outside the ultrasound probe 110. The optical modulator 118 may be a lower power optical modulator and is employed within the ultrasound probe 110 to create the digital optical signals that pass back through the cable 131 to the ultrasound base 120. Using this approach, the power needed to generate the optical signals does not contribute to the overall power budget for the ultrasound probe 110 and therefore allows improved performance for the ultrasound probe 110. The thermal contribution from the optical source 128 is absorbed by the ultrasound base 120 rather than the ultrasound probe 110, which minimizes the thermal impact of the digital driver 117.

[0030] The controller 150 includes at least a memory 151 that stores instructions and a processor 152 that executes the instructions. A controller 150 may include more or fewer elements than depicted in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, multiple different elements of the system 100 in FIG.

1 may include a controller such as the controller 150. The controller 150 may include interfaces, such as a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, and a fourth interface. One or more of the interfaces may include ports, disk drives, wireless antennas, or other types of receiver circuitry that connect the controller 150 to other electronic elements. One or more of the interfaces may also include user interfaces such as buttons, keys, a mouse, a microphone, a speaker, a display separate from the display 180, or other elements that users can use to interact with the controller 150 such as to enter instructions and receive output.

[0031] The memory 151 stores instructions and the processor 152 executes the instructions. A controller 150 may include more elements than depicted in FIG. 1. The memory 151 may include a set of software instructions that can be executed to cause the controller 150 to perform aspects of methods or computer-based functions disclosed herein. The controller 150 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, for example, using the network 101, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. In embodiments, the controller 150 performs logical processing based on digital signals received via an analog-to-digital converter. The controller 150 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a workstation that includes a controller, a stationary computer, a mobile computer, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or any other machine capable of executing a set of software instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Any such other machine that includes a controller 150 consistent with the teachings herein will also include an optical source 128 and an interface for the cable 131 and may also include a fan to cool heat generated by the optical source 128. The controller 150 can be incorporated as or in a device that in turn is in an integrated system that includes additional devices. Further, while the controller 150 is illustrated in the singular, the controller 150 may be implemented in a “system” that includes any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of software instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

[0032] The processor 152 may be considered a representative example of a processor of a controller and executes instructions to implement some or all aspects of methods and processes described herein. The processor 152 is tangible and non-transitory. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period. The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time. The processor 152 is an article of manufacture and/or a machine component. The processor 152 is configured to execute software instructions to perform functions as described in the various embodiments herein. The processor 152 may be a general-purpose processor or may be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 152 may also be a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor chip, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or a programmable logic device. The processor 152 may also be a logical circuit, including a programmable gate array (PGA), such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type of circuit that includes discrete gate and/or transistor logic. The processor 152 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Additionally, any processor described herein may include multiple processors, parallel processors, or both. Multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a single device or multiple devices. [0033] The term “processor” as used herein encompasses an electronic component able to execute a program or machine executable instruction. References to a system or a controller comprising “a processor” should be interpreted to include more than one processor or processing core, as in a multi-core processor or multiple separate processors. A processor may also refer to a collection of processors within a single computer system or distributed among multiple computer systems. Programs have software instructions performed by one or multiple processors that may be within the same computing device or which may be distributed across multiple computing devices.

[0034] The memory 151 may be representative of memories in the system 100, such as a main memory and a static memory, where memories in the controller 150 and the system 100 communicate with each other and the processor 152 via a bus. The memory 151 stores instructions used to implement some, or all aspects of methods and processes described herein. Memories described herein are tangible storage mediums for storing data and executable software instructions and are non-transitory during the time software instructions are stored therein. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for a period. The term “non- transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such as characteristics of a carrier wave or signal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at any time. The memory 151 is an article of manufacture and/or machine components. The memory 151 is a computer-readable medium from which data and executable software instructions can be read by a computer (e.g., the processor 152). The memory 151 may be implemented as one or more of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, tape, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk, blu-ray disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. The memories may be volatile or non-volatile, secure and/or encrypted, unsecure and/or unencrypted.

[0035] “Memory” is an example of a computer-readable storage medium. Computer memory is any memory which is directly accessible to a processor. Examples of computer memory include, but are not limited to RAM memory, registers, and register files. References to “computer memory” or “memory” should be interpreted as possibly being multiple memories. The memory may for instance be multiple memories within the same computer system. The memory may also be multiple memories distributed amongst multiple computer systems or computing devices. [0036] In an embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays and other hardware components, are constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules. Accordingly, the present disclosure encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations. Nothing in the present application should be interpreted as being implemented or implementable solely with software and not hardware such as a tangible non-transitory processor and/or memory.

[0037] The controller 150 may perform some of the operations relating to ultrasound processing for the digitized signals received from the ultrasound probe 110 via the cable 131. The controller 150 may perform some operations directly and may implement other operations indirectly. For example, the controller 150 may indirectly control operations such as by generating and transmitting content to be displayed on the display 180. The controller 150 may directly control other operations such as logical operations performed by the processor 152 executing instructions from the memory 151 based on input received from electronic elements and/or users via the interfaces. Accordingly, the processes implemented by the controller 150 when the processor 152 executes instructions from the memory 151 may include steps not directly performed by the controller 150.

[0038] The cable 131 may include a first fiber optic wire that carries the optical signal from the optical source 128 of the ultrasound base 120 and a second fiber optic signal that carries the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator 118 of the ultrasound probe 110. The cable 131 may also include at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals. That is, the cable 131 may accommodate both optical wire for the purposes described herein and electrical wire supporting power and control. A cable 231 in FIG.

2 details an example of a cable with a first fiber optic wire 231 A, a second fiber optic wire 23 IB, an electrical wire 231C and a data wire 23 ID.

[0039] Although not shown, an interface for the cable 131 to connect to the ultrasound probe 110 may be adapted compared to a conventional interface for ultrasound cables. The interface may accommodate the cable 131 as an optical connection along with the conventional electrical connections. The adapted interface will provide an ability for the fiber optic wires to be connected and disconnected thousands of times. Such an adapted interface may be configured to mate and de-mate the cable 131 and the ultrasound probe 110 regularly.

[0040] Display 180 may be local to the ultrasound base 120 or may be remotely connected to the ultrasound base 120, such as wirelessly via a Wi-Fi connection or by wire via an Ethernet cable. Display 180 may be a monitor such as a computer monitor, a display on a mobile device, an augmented reality display, a television, an electronic whiteboard, or another screen configured to display electronic imagery. Display 180 includes a graphical user interface 181 (GUI) that displays ultrasound images and guidance to users. Display 180 may be interfaced with other user input devices by which medical personnel can input instructions, including mouses, keyboards, thumbwheels and so on. Display 180 may also include one or more input interface(s) such as those noted above that may connect to other elements or components, as well as an interactive touch screen configured to display prompts to medical personnel and collect touch input from medical personnel.

[0041] Using the system 100, signal integrity may be maintained even when a relatively low number of channels such as 128 are present. Whereas analog systems in conventional systems pass signals in the low megahertz frequencies, the total data transmission rate required for digital transducers may be in the hundreds of Gb/S. The cable 131 may provide high flexibility and long lifetime. Current estimates are that individual links within the bundles of conventional cables may be limited to lOGb/S, which implies that up to 24 high speed links may be required for the most challenging current transducers. Digitization in the ultrasound probe 110 may result in increased costs for the cable 131 than otherwise and may present a need for consistent signal path reliability. Accordingly, the cable 131 may be implemented with fibre optic links rather than multiple high speed wires. As a result, for example, 24 wires for the high speed links may be carried by a single fiber in the cable 131 with improved data integrity and a smaller, more flexible form factor that provides ergonomic benefits to the user.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows elements of a transducer including an encoder 216, a digital driver 217 and an optical modulator 218. FIG. 2 also shows elements of an ultrasound base including an optical source 228 and a fan 229. The fan 229 cools heat generated by the optical source 228 and may be provided for any ultrasound base described herein. The cable 231 may include a first fiber optic wire that carries the optical signal from the optical source 228 of an ultrasound base and a second fiber optic signal that carries the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator 218 of an ultrasound probe. The cable 231 may also include at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals. Specifically, the cable 231 in FIG. 2 includes a first fiber optic wire 231 A, a second fiber optic wire 23 IB, an electrical wire 231C and a data wire 23 ID.

[0044] The encoder 216 encodes digitized ultrasound data to create optical data from the array of transducer elements. The digital driver 217 adds the digitized ultrasound data to an optical signal from the optical source 228. The optical modulator 218 modulates the optical signal from the optical source 228 and returns the modulated optical signal to the ultrasound base. An important aspect of the teachings herein is the use of the optical source 228 that is located outside of an ultrasound probe which includes the optical modulator 218, the digital driver 217 and the encoder 216.

[0045] The modulated optical signal carries the optical data added by the digital driver 217 from the array of transducer elements. The optical modulator 218 may be low power and is employed within the ultrasound probe to create the digital optical signals that pass back through the cable 231 to the ultrasound base that includes the optical source 228. Using this approach, the power needed to generate the optical signals does not contribute to the overall power budget for the ultrasound probe and therefore allows improved performance for the ultrasound probe.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a method for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0047] The method of FIG. 3 includes functions of the ultrasound probe 110 in FIG. 1. At S310, ultrasound data is encoded. The ultrasound data may be converted from analog to digital before being encoded by the encoder 116 in FIG. 1. At S320, the encoded ultrasound data modulates the incoming optical signal using the optical modulator 118 in FIG. 1. after being added by the digital driver 117. At S330, the modulated encoded ultrasound data is transmitted, such as via the cable 131 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the optical signal from the optical source 128 may be received at S340 via the first interface 121 and the cable 131 while the encoding at S310, the modulating at S320 and the transmitting at S330 are performed.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0049] In FIG. 4, a digital transducer 410 corresponds to the ultrasound probe 110 in FIG. 1. A system 420 corresponds to the ultrasound base 120 in FIG. 1.

[0050] The digital transducer 410 includes a DAC 411 (a digital-to-analog converter), an ADC 412 (an analog-to-digital converter), an encoder 413 (labelled “encoder serialize”), a digital driver 414, and an optical modulator 415. An unnumbered element EleBfrm is a beamformer such as an elevation beamformer. An unnumbered element TGC is a circuit element for time gain compensation to compensate for weaker echoes as the digital transducer 410 is farther away from the subject of the ultrasound imaging. The elements to the left of the EleBfrm in FIG. 4 may be reproduced numerous times, such as dozens, hundreds or thousands of times for the transducer array in the digital transducer 410. The elements may be provided on a chip, and may include elements such as a transmitter, switch, and other unnumbered elements shown in FIG. 4 and other drawings herein.

[0051] The system 420 includes an optical source 421, an optical demodulator 422, and a GPU 452 (graphics processing unit).

[0052] A cable between the digital transducer 410 and the system 420 in FIG. 4 includes wires for power, control, and optical data. The optical source 421 sends an optical signal to the optical modulator 415. The digital driver 414 adds acoustic data from the transducer elements of the digital transducer 410. The optical modulator 415 modulates the optical signal from the optical source 421 with the digitized acoustic data added by the digital driver 414. The modulated optical signal is sent to the optical demodulator 422, and ultimately provided to the GPU 452 for processing. The modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver 117 from the array of transducer elements.

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 5 depicts the main elements of the digital transducer 410 in FIG. 4, with associated power dissipation estimates. In FIG. 5, conventional electrical high speed links are used, whereas in FIG. 6 (explained below) the fiber optic implementation is shown with an optical source on the system 420 rather than the digital transducer 410.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the transmit components are in the upper layer and include a DAC 511 (digital-to-analog converter). The receive components are shown in the middle layer and include an ADC 512 (analog-to-digital converter). The digital signal path is shown in a lower layer and includes the encoder 513, a serializer, and digital drivers 514. The digital drivers 514 adds optical data from the array of transducer elements in the digital transducer.

[0056] A cable 530 is shown connected to the transducer in FIG. 5 and is connected to representative elements of or associated with an ultrasound base including an interposer, a channel board, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and software. Various wattages are shown for the elements of the transducer in FIG. 5, to show the relatively low wattage values associated with a digitalized transducer according to the explanations herein.

[0057] FIG. 6 illustrates another system for optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 6 also depicts the main elements of the digital transducer 410, with associated power dissipation estimates. FIG. 6 shows the fiber optic implementation with off-transducer optical source. That is, the optical source is in the ultrasound base for the digital transducer in FIG. 6, consistent with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings herein.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the transmit components are in the upper layer and include a DAC 611 (digital-to-analog converter). The receive components are shown in the middle layer and include an ADC 612 (analog-to-digital converter). The digital signal path is shown in a lower layer and includes the encoder 613, a serializer, and digital drivers 614. The digital drivers 614 add optical data from the array of transducer elements in the digital transducer. Relative to FIG.

5, the optical modulator 615 is added in FIG. 5, along with a fiberoptic cable rather than a conventional cable. The digital drivers 614 add optical data from the array of transducer elements in the digital transducer.

[0060] The fiberoptic is shown connected to the transducer in FIG. 6 and is connected to representative elements of or associated with an ultrasound base including an interposer, a channel board, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and software. Various wattages are shown for the elements of the transducer in FIG. 6, to show the relatively low wattage values associated with a digitalized transducer according to the explanations herein. [0061] The fiber optic configuration in FIG. 6 has a net savings of 200mW, which represents approximately 10% of the total transducer power allocated to digital infrastructure of the digital transducer 410.

[0062] Relative to conventional transducers, the embodiment of FIG. 6 using fiber optic data transmission provides advantages including improved cable ergonomics. A single mode fibre optic cable can support data rates on the order of lOOGb/s at short distances. This means two fiber optic strands can replace all 24 twisted pair links, significantly reducing the diameter of the cable, and allowing for higher channel counts than would be available in comparison to the electrical methods. There have traditionally been concerns about the flexibility and bend radius of optical cables being insufficient for medical transducers due to the use model needing tight radius of curvature. However, modern fiber optic cable offerings can now achieve bend radius from 5 to 10mm with minimal signal loss.

[0063] The relative improvements in FIG. 6 result in improved cable ergonomics and reduced cable diameter, along with the thermal improvement of 200 milliwatts. A transducer handle in FIG. 6 may dissipate a total of approximately 2 watts, for example.

[0064] Accordingly, optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers enables digitization in transducers to move digitization in the signal path from within the system carts to within the transducers. Low-power analog-to-digital converters may be used in a configuration so that ultrasound signals are multiplexed onto high speed digital links from the transducer to the system cart in which the digitized signals are fed into the digital beamformer. High speed links may be implemented on a cable 131 that is fiber optic in accordance with teachings herein so as to meet throughput and power limitations. Digitization of analog signals within an ultrasound transducer provides benefits of increasing imaging quality with greater numbers of channels along with lower system cost from miniaturization and relocation of front end electronics from the system cart to the transducer. The use of a fiber optic link between the transducer and the system cart offsets reduces thermal dissipation in the transducer, reduces complexity of the design of the cable 131, and supports high data transfer requirements.

[0065] Although optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers in its aspects. Although optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather optical data transfer for digital ultrasound transducers extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0066] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of the disclosure described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0067] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

[0068] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.

[0069] The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the concepts described in the present disclosure. As such, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An ultrasound system, comprising: an ultrasound probe comprising an array of transducer elements, an encoder that encodes ultrasound data from the array of transducer elements, a digital driver, and an optical modulator; an ultrasound base comprising an optical source that generates and sends an optical signal to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and an optical demodulator that demodulates a modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe; and a cable that transmits the optical signal from the optical source of the ultrasound base to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and that transmits the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe to the optical demodulator of the ultrasound base, wherein the modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver from the array of transducer elements.

2. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the optical modulator comprises an electrooptic device with an internal refractive index changed by electrical signals.

3. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the cable includes a first fiber optic wire that carries the optical signal and a second fiber optic wire that carries the modulated optical signal.

4. The ultrasound system of claim 3, wherein the cable includes at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals.

5. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the cable includes at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals.

6. The ultrasound system of claim 1, the ultrasound base further comprising: a fan for cooling heat generated by the optical source.

7. An ultrasound probe, comprising: an array of transducer elements, an encoder that encodes ultrasound data from the array of transducer elements, a digital driver, and an optical modulator, wherein the ultrasound probe is configured to connect to an ultrasound base via a cable, and the ultrasound base includes an optical source that is configured to generate and send an optical signal to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and an optical demodulator that is configured to demodulate a modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe, wherein the cable is configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical source of the ultrasound base to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and to transmit the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe to the optical demodulator of the ultrasound base, and wherein the modulated optical signal carries optical data added by the digital driver from the array of transducer elements.

8. The ultrasound probe of claim 7, wherein the optical modulator comprises an electrooptic device with an internal refractive index changed by electrical signals.

9. The ultrasound probe of claim 7, wherein the cable includes a first fiber optic wire that carries the optical signal and a second fiber optic wire that carries the modulated optical signal.

10. The ultrasound probe of claim 9, wherein the cable includes at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals.

11. The ultrasound probe of claim 7, wherein the cable includes at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals.

12. The ultrasound probe of claim 7, wherein the ultrasound base further includes a fan for cooling heat generated by the optical source.

13. An ultrasound base, comprising: an optical source that generates and sends an optical signal to an optical modulator of an ultrasound probe; and an optical demodulator that demodulates a modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe, wherein the ultrasound base is configured to connect to the ultrasound probe via a cable, wherein the cable is configured to transmit the optical signal from the optical source of the ultrasound base to the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe and to transmit the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator of the ultrasound probe to the optical demodulator of the ultrasound base, and wherein the modulated optical signal carries optical data added by a digital driver for an array of transducer elements in the ultrasound probe.

14. The ultrasound base of claim 13, wherein the optical modulator comprises an electrooptic device with an internal refractive index changed by electrical signals.

15. The ultrasound base of claim 13, wherein the cable includes a first fiber optic wire that carries the optical signal and a second fiber optic wire that carries the modulated optical signal.

16. The ultrasound base of claim 15, wherein the cable includes at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals.

17. The ultrasound base of claim 13, wherein the cable includes at least one electrical wire to carry power and at least one data wire that carries control signals.

18. The ultrasound base of claim 13, the ultrasound base further comprising: a fan for cooling heat generated by the optical source.