DolphiScan Technology Platform
Unique Transducer Technology
DolphiScan has developed a novel
ultrasound transducer design (patent pending)
that features high resolution images in the near-field
of the acoustic transducer. The transducer is cost-efficient
manufactured with a combination of off-the-shelf
materials, polymer films and advanced lamination
techniques.
An ultrasound transducer is a device that transmits and
receives ultrasound signals, and converts electrical
energy into acoustic energy and vica versa. Our
technology has industrialized well-know principles into
a complete new design, product and production process.
User Friendly
Dry Coupling Solution
Acoustic coupling
medium means a material that transmits the ultrasound
waves
(acoustic energy) from the ultrasound transducer into
the object to read (e.g. DataMatrix code), and back to
the transducer again.
In many medical
applications a wet coupling medium is used (e.g. gel),
however, when reading DMx codes this is not an
acceptable solution. The LOCUS product features a dry
coupling membrane that provides a large contact area to
be imaged at the same time.
Analogue Electronics
The
analogue electronics deliver the electrical signals to
the transducer that transforms the electrical pulses to
acoustic pulses. Further, the received ultrasound echoes
are amplified by the electronics through a low-noise,
high frequency receiver chain.
The electronics solutions supporting our transducer are
developed by DolphiScan in close cooperation with
Norwegian partners. Concepts and components from other
technology platforms are combined into a unique analogue
electronics system especially designed for low cost and
high performance.
Digital
Processing
The digital processing
algorithms convert the ultrasound echoes into ultrasound
images.
The image and signal processing algorithms are developed
to be optimal for the transducer design and object to
read, i.e. Data Matrix codes under different conditions.
The LOCUS Reader is controlled by a FPGA "processor". By
user interfaces on the LOCUS and the related PC SW, the
user can select between different processing algorithms
in the LOCUS processor and also different image
enhancement options, to visualize high resolution
ultrasound images under very different conditions.
