Acoustic module and control system for handheld ultrasound device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11241591-B2
Application number	US-201615234217-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 11, 2016
Priority date	Aug 13, 2015
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

An acoustic module with a transducer and a solid waveguide. The transducer and waveguide may be curved to focus the acoustic energy along a focal line. The transducer, the top surface of the waveguide and the bottom surface of the waveguide may extend along coaxial curves. The waveguide may include a recess closely receiving the transducer. The waveguide may include an integral skirt that provides a thermal mass. The acoustic module may include a space to accommodate thermal management options. For example, the acoustic module may include a heatsink, an active ventilation system and/or a phase change material. The ultrasound device may include a controller configured to perform a uniformity scan sweep during supply of operating power to the transducer. The uniformity scan sweep can extend through a frequency range that includes the operating point of the acoustic module and does not exceed an acceptable efficiency loss.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An acoustic module comprising:
a one-piece solid waveguide, said waveguide having a first surface with a first curvature and a second surface with a second curvature, said second surface configured to contact a target, said first and second curvatures selected to focus acoustic energy along a focal line a predetermined distance from said second surface into a target;
an ultrasound transducer disposed on said first surface, said ultrasound transducer having a curvature corresponding with said first curvature; and
a controller operably coupled to said ultrasound transducer, said controller configured to direct supply of power to said ultrasound transducer at a plurality of operating frequencies, said controller configured to obtain a measured characteristic at each of a first plurality of operating frequencies at which power is supplied to said ultrasound transducer, said controller configured to determine a second plurality of operating frequencies for operation based on 1) the plurality of measured characteristics obtained with respect to said first plurality of operating frequencies and 2) said second plurality of operating frequencies providing an efficiency loss less than a threshold efficiency loss, said controller configured to supply power to said ultrasound transducer according to said second plurality of operating frequencies to provide acoustic energy to the target with said efficiency loss being less than said threshold efficiency loss.

2. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said first curvature and said second curvature are curved about a common axis.

3. The acoustic module of claim 2 wherein said transducer includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate, said second conductive plate being electrically connected to said waveguide.

4. The acoustic module of claim 3 further including a first electrode and a second electrode for applying an electrical signal to said transducer, said first electrode being electrically connected to said first conductive plate, said second electrode being electrically connected to said waveguide; and
further including an electrically conductive adhesive disposed between said transducer and said waveguide, whereby said second electrode is electrically connected to said second conductive plate.

5. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said waveguide includes an integral skirt extending in a direction opposite said second surface to provide a thermal mass.

6. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said waveguide defines a first longitudinal slot extend along one longitudinal side of said waveguide and a second longitudinal slot extend along an opposite longitudinal side of said waveguide, said slots approaching but not extending into an acoustic flow path between said first surface and said second surface.

7. The acoustic module of claim 6 further including a heat sink fitted into at least one of said slots.

8. The acoustic module of claim 6 further including a first heat sink fitted into said first longitudinal slot and a second heat sink fitted to said second longitudinal slot.

9. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said acoustic module defines an enclosed space rearward of said transducer in a direction opposite of said second surface; and
further including a phase change material disposed in said enclosed space.

10. The acoustic module of claim 9 wherein said phase change material is a paraffin wax.

11. The acoustic module of claim 9 wherein said phase change material is a microencapsulated phase change powder.

12. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said acoustic module includes an active ventilation system having an enclosure with an inlet, an outlet and a fan drawing air into said enclosure through said inlet and discharging air from said enclosure through said outlet.

13. The acoustic module of claim 12 wherein said inlet and said outlet are covered by a ventilation material.

14. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said waveguide includes an epoxy frame closely surrounding a periphery of said transducer.

15. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said first surface defines a transducer recess, said transducer recess closely receiving said transducer along at least two sides to facilitate alignment between said transducer and said waveguide.

16. The acoustic module of claim 15 wherein said transducer recess includes an extension portion.

17. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said waveguide is a one-piece extrusion.

18. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said waveguide includes an integral heat sink, said waveguide and said integral heat sink being a one-piece extrusion.

19. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said second surface is coated.

20. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said controller is operable to direct repeated sweeping of said second plurality of operating frequencies.

21. The acoustic module of claim 1 wherein said measured characteristic is indicative of an efficiency of operation of the acoustic module at each of said first plurality of operating frequencies.

22. The acoustic module of claim 1 comprising at least one spring-loaded contact operable to form an electrical connection with said ultrasound transducer, wherein power is supplied to said ultrasound transducer via said at least one spring-loaded contact.

23. An acoustic module comprising:
an inner housing defining an internal space;
a solid waveguide having a transducer surface and a target contact surface, said target contact surface having a first curvature selected to focus acoustic energy along a focal line a predetermined distance from said target contact surface into a target, said waveguide disposed outside of said internal space;
a heat sink extending from said waveguide, said heat sink including at least one wing extending from said waveguide into said internal space;
a transducer disposed on said transducer surface, said transducer having a curvature corresponding with said first curvature;
a controller operably coupled to said transducer, said controller configured to direct supply of power to said transducer at a plurality of operating frequencies, said controller configured to obtain a measured characteristic at each of a first plurality of operating frequencies, said controller operable to determine a second plurality of operating frequencies for said transducer based on 1) said plurality of measured characteristics obtained with respect to said first plurality of operating frequencies and 2) said second plurality of operating frequencies providing an efficiency loss less than a threshold efficiency loss, said controller configured to supply power to said transducer according to said second plurality of operating frequencies to provide acoustic energy to the target with said efficiency loss being less than said threshold efficiency loss; and
an outer housing disposed about said inner housing, said waveguide, said heat sink and said transducer, said outer housing defining an opening, said target contact surface exposed by said opening.

24. The acoustic module of claim 23 including a phase change material disposed in said internal space.

25. The acoustic module of claim 24 wherein said phase change material is a phase change wax.

26. The acoustic module of claim 24 further including a wing gasket disposed about a perimeter of said internal space and about said at least o

Assignees

• Access Business Group Int Llc

Inventors

• Stoddard Ronald L
• Miles Michael E
• Norconk Matthew J
• Schwannecke Joshua K
• Van Den Brink Joseph C
• Moore Colin J
• Umenei A Esai
• Schamper Ryan D
• Bartrum Mark S
• Moes Benjamin C
• Vecziedins Karlis
• Wu Ziqi
• Smith Mark C
• Pippel Bradley J
• Vachon David S

Classifications

• G10K11/24

  for conducting sound through solid bodies, e.g. wires · CPC title

• A61B8/4281

  characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue · CPC title

• A61N7/02 Primary

  Localised ultrasound hyperthermia · CPC title

• A61N2007/006

  Lenses · CPC title

• A61N2007/0034

  Skin treatment · CPC title