Real-time imaging system using a 12-MHz forward-looking catheter with single chip CMUT-on-CMOS array

Abstract

The device is placed on a 6-Fr catheter shaft and secured with a medical grade silicon rubber. For real time data acquisition, we developed a custom design FPGA based imaging platform to generate digital control sequences for the chip and collect RF data from Rx outputs. We performed imaging experiments using wire phantoms immersed in water to test the real time imaging system. The system has the potential to generate images at 32 fps rate with the particular catheter. The overall system is fully functional and shows promising image performance.

Direct Digital Demultiplexing of Analog TDM Signals for Cable Reduction in Ultrasound Imaging Catheters

“…On each subsequent firing the next element is connected, and so on until data for each element has been collected. This approach is has been demonstrated in several systems [22] [23] [24]. While this approach does allow for cable reduction, it requires multiple firings to collect the information as only one element per cable can be sampled in a given firing.…”

Performance of switched mode arbitrary excitation using Harmonic Reduction Pulse Width Modulation (HRPWM) in array imaging applications

“…Circuit miniaturisation allows integration of the ultrasound front end directly into the probe head as a means to overcoming limitations imposed by cabling in multi-channel imaging systems [1]- [4]. The transmit front end can be miniaturised and a high current, high voltage, high efficiency switched mode excitation [1], [5], [6] can be fabricated into the transducer [4].…”

“…The transmit front end can be miniaturised and a high current, high voltage, high efficiency switched mode excitation [1], [5], [6] can be fabricated into the transducer [4]. Ultrasound systems require excitation amplitude control to adjust acoustic pressure, waveform shaping (temporal) and array apodisation (spatial), frequency control for coded excitation and reduced excitation harmonics for harmonic imaging.…”

Arbitrary waveform generation based on phase and amplitude synthesis for switched mode excitation of ultrasound imaging arrays

“…With advances in transducer and electronics design, integration of transmit and receive circuitry directly into the probe head is becoming a reality thus overcoming restrictions of transducer cabling [1]- [5]. It is possible to integrate a miniaturized, high current, high voltage, high efficiency switched excitation circuits [6]- [8] into the transducer [5].…”

“…It is possible to integrate a miniaturized, high current, high voltage, high efficiency switched excitation circuits [6]- [8] into the transducer [5]. The ultrasound system design typically requires arbitrary control of the excitation waveform: amplitude control for temporal windowing and spatial array apodisation, frequency and phase control for coded excitation and minimal harmonics for harmonic [9] and superharmonic imaging [10].…”