Ultrasonic imaging using a 5-MHz multilayer/single-layer hybrid array for increased signal-to-noise ratio

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology
• Array Signal Processing

Background:

• Conventional diagnostic ultrasound scanners are large, power-hungry, and limited by signal degradation.
• Integrating electronics into the transducer handle requires low-voltage transmitters and low-power preamplifiers.
• Reducing transmit voltage and relocating receive electronics impacts sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, fabricate, and test a novel 5-MHz hybrid linear array for improved ultrasound imaging.
• To integrate compact transmit and receive electronics into the transducer handle.
• To enhance transmit sensitivity and received SNR compared to conventional arrays.

Main Methods:

• Developed a hybrid linear array with multilayer transmit and single-layer receive elements.
• Integrated low-voltage transmitters and high-impedance JFET preamplifiers within the transducer handle.
• Compared the performance of the hybrid array against a conventional array using phantom and in vivo imaging.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 12.8 dB improvement in transmit sensitivity and a 7.8 dB improvement in received SNR.
• Demonstrated an overall performance enhancement of 20.6 dB, aligning with KLM model predictions.
• Observed a 7 cm improvement in imaging penetration in tissue-mimicking phantoms.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid array design enables significant improvements in ultrasound system performance.
• Integration of electronics into the transducer handle is feasible with this hybrid approach.
• The developed technology facilitates the creation of smaller, more efficient diagnostic ultrasound scanners.