Patent
US 10,821,474SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ULTRASOUND PULSE GENERATION USING GALLIUM NITRIDE FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS
Ronald W. Broad
US
Copyright © 2026 Matter42. All rights reserved.
Patent details
Patent
US 10,821,474Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound system 10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ultrasound system 10 …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A handheld ultrasound probe, comprising: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element having a control terminal coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET), and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, further comprising a controller having a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs being coupled to a respective driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Original
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit including an amplifier having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the amplifier being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the amplifier, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, wherein the resonant circuit includes: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. Original
An ultrasound device, comprising: a handheld ultrasound probe, including: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal; and a handheld computing device coupled to the ultrasound probe. Currently amended
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld ultrasound probe further includes a power supply positioned within the handheld ultrasound probe, each of the pulse generators being coupled to the power supply. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld computing device includes processing circuitry operably coupled to a controller circuit that provides the control signal to the driver circuit of each pulse generator. Original
17-20. Canceled
Canceled
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the driver circuit being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (GaN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal, the resonant circuit including: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the driver circuit includes a second input terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the switching element includes a second conduction terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. New
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
handheld ultrasound probe with GaN FET pulse generators
ultrasound pulse generation circuit with GaN FET
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride field effect transistor
GaN
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
Patent details
Patent
US 10,821,474Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound system 10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ultrasound system 10 …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A handheld ultrasound probe, comprising: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element having a control terminal coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET), and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, further comprising a controller having a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs being coupled to a respective driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Original
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit including an amplifier having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the amplifier being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the amplifier, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, wherein the resonant circuit includes: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. Original
An ultrasound device, comprising: a handheld ultrasound probe, including: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal; and a handheld computing device coupled to the ultrasound probe. Currently amended
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld ultrasound probe further includes a power supply positioned within the handheld ultrasound probe, each of the pulse generators being coupled to the power supply. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld computing device includes processing circuitry operably coupled to a controller circuit that provides the control signal to the driver circuit of each pulse generator. Original
17-20. Canceled
Canceled
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the driver circuit being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (GaN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal, the resonant circuit including: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the driver circuit includes a second input terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the switching element includes a second conduction terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. New
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
handheld ultrasound probe with GaN FET pulse generators
ultrasound pulse generation circuit with GaN FET
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride field effect transistor
GaN
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
Patent details
Patent
US 10,821,474Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound system 10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ultrasound system 10 …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A handheld ultrasound probe, comprising: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element having a control terminal coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET), and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, further comprising a controller having a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs being coupled to a respective driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Original
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit including an amplifier having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the amplifier being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the amplifier, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, wherein the resonant circuit includes: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. Original
An ultrasound device, comprising: a handheld ultrasound probe, including: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal; and a handheld computing device coupled to the ultrasound probe. Currently amended
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld ultrasound probe further includes a power supply positioned within the handheld ultrasound probe, each of the pulse generators being coupled to the power supply. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld computing device includes processing circuitry operably coupled to a controller circuit that provides the control signal to the driver circuit of each pulse generator. Original
17-20. Canceled
Canceled
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the driver circuit being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (GaN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal, the resonant circuit including: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the driver circuit includes a second input terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the switching element includes a second conduction terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. New
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
handheld ultrasound probe with GaN FET pulse generators
ultrasound pulse generation circuit with GaN FET
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride field effect transistor
GaN
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
Patent details
Patent
US 10,821,474Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound system 10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The ultrasound system 10 …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A handheld ultrasound probe, comprising: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element having a control terminal coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET), and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, further comprising a controller having a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs being coupled to a respective driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Original
The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit including an amplifier having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the amplifier being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (G aN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the amplifier, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. Currently amended
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 5, wherein the resonant circuit includes: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. Original
An ultrasound device, comprising: a handheld ultrasound probe, including: an array of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest; an array of pulse generators, each of the pulse generators being coupled to a respective transducer element and including: a driver circuit including an amplifier configured to receive a control signal and to output a driving signal, a switching element coupled to an output of the amplifier of the driver circuit, and a resonant circuit coupled to the switching element and the respective transducer element, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the respective transducer element based on the driving signal; and a handheld computing device coupled to the ultrasound probe. Currently amended
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld ultrasound probe further includes a power supply positioned within the handheld ultrasound probe, each of the pulse generators being coupled to the power supply. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the resonant circuit resonates at a natural resonance frequency of the respective transducer element. Original
The ultrasound device of claim 12, wherein the handheld computing device includes processing circuitry operably coupled to a controller circuit that provides the control signal to the driver circuit of each pulse generator. Original
17-20. Canceled
Canceled
An ultrasound pulse generation circuit, comprising: a power supply; a transducer element; a driver circuit having a first input terminal and an output terminal, the driver circuit being configured to receive a control signal at the first input terminal, and to provide a driving signal at the output terminal; a switching element having a control terminal and a first conduction terminal, the control terminal being coupled to the output terminal of the driver circuit, the switching element including a gallium nitride field effect transistor (GaN FET); and a resonant circuit coupled to the power supply at a first node, coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at a second node, and coupled to the transducer element at a third node, the resonant circuit being configured to provide a transmit pulse to the transducer element based on the driving signal, the resonant circuit including: a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor, and a second terminal coupled to the first conduction terminal of the switching element at the second node; a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node; and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a first terminal coupled to the transducer element at the third node. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the driver circuit includes a second input terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, wherein the switching element includes a second conduction terminal coupled to an electrical ground. New
The ultrasound pulse generation circuit of claim 21, further comprising a controller coupled to the first input terminal of the driver circuit, the controller being configured to generate the control signal. New
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
handheld ultrasound probe with GaN FET pulse generators
ultrasound pulse generation circuit with GaN FET
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride field effect transistor
GaN
Related documents with shared materials, methods, properties, or citations.
ultrasound device with handheld probe and computing device
REDUCED PUNCHTHROUGH BREAKDOWN IN GALLIUM-NITRIDE TRANSISTORS
ultrasound device with handheld probe and computing device
REDUCED PUNCHTHROUGH BREAKDOWN IN GALLIUM-NITRIDE TRANSISTORS
ultrasound device with handheld probe and computing device
REDUCED PUNCHTHROUGH BREAKDOWN IN GALLIUM-NITRIDE TRANSISTORS
ultrasound device with handheld probe and computing device