The Electronics Engineering group at Fraunhofer IBMT specializes in the flexible, customer-specific development of multi-channel ultrasound systems for a wide variety of medical applications. MR-compatible ultrasound devices for simultaneous operation in the MRT, systems for 3D/4D imaging with matrix array converters as well as ultrasound systems for real-time therapy control are part of the portfolio.
The in-house developed Digital Phased Array System (DiPhAS), which is approved as a medical product, serves as a scalable, multi-channel research and development platform and can be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of requirements thanks to its modular design. Another advantage of the ultrasound platform: Users can not only access classical image data, but also the unprocessed raw signals of each element of an ultrasound array. In addition, the user has open access to a large number of system control parameters.
In addition to stationary medical research systems, another field of operation is the development of multi-channel, mobile ultrasound systems with a focus on cost savings and energy efficiency. The signal processing is done on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. The data transmission and control of the ultrasound system is realized e.g. via WIFI interface.
The experience of the employees in the design of analog and digital ultrasound hardware covers the entire spectrum of development from concept creation to prototypes and up to market-ready systems. The core competencies of the working group include:
- Feasibility studies, electrical simulations
- Development of customer and application-specific basic concepts
- Design of analog and digital circuits and creation of multi-layer PCB layouts
- Printed circuit board assembly and assembly of prototypes
- Hardware-based programming using FPGAs and µControllers
- Characterization and technical documentation of the system
In cooperation with the software development / system integration working group, complete applications are implemented and developed into customer-specific products.