Simulation/Advance Development

"Is it possible?"

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio asked this question in his "Ten Books on Architecture"*. In the work, which was written in ancient Rome and is still taught in universities, he describes, among other things, the path from the idea of a construction to simulation using models and calculations, right up to the realization of a building or a technical device. He did, of course, use simpler methods than we do today, but the question is still the same: Is it possible, and if it is, who or when did somebody else do it?

The working group of Simulation/Advance Development is dedicated to this very question in the field of ultrasound applications and technology. With the aid of various computer-based simulation methods such as PZCFlex, Ansys, Piezocad, Wave 2000, as well as a whole series of tools developed in-house, sensors, actuators and systems are analyzed and optimized computational. Literature and patent analyses clarify the environment, market studies investigate the chances and the potential of an idea or a product. Feasibility studies are carried out to experimentally examine the practicability of an idea (advance development, proof of concept), as well as parameter studies to establish the specifications of a future product to be developed.

The competences of the working group are both an integral part of complex development projects of the main department of Ultrasound as well as a direct service offer to support external customer issues.

*Vitruvius: De Architectura libri decem, ca. 30 BC
German: Zehn Bücher über Architektur, translated and commented by Curt Fensterbusch, Primus Verlag, Darmstadt 1996, ISBN 3-89678-005-0.

Group Offers

sorted by business area

Biomedical Ultrasound

Computer Aided
 Design and Optimization

Computer aided design for the development of single- and multi-element transducers.

Considering the characteristics and properties of the propagation medium it is possible to implement a realistic model-design.

Biomedical Ultrasound

Computer Aided
 Soundfield Analysis

For the specification of new and the evaluation of existing transducers, the analysis of their soundfields is important. Frequency, aperture size and signal type are defining the soundfield. The penetration depth, the opening angle and the side lobe level essentially rule the quality of ultrasound imaging. For therapeutic application the precise knowledge of the focal zone is necessary.

 

Biomedical Ultrasound

HIFU and Tissue Simulations

For therapeutical application or the treatment of cell cultures, the use of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is important. For the acoustical design of HIFU-systems, physical laws have to be considered which are different of those for diagnostic systems.

The relevant mathematical equations include effects like steepening or heating.

Biomedical Ultrasound

Feasibility Studies

In preparation of a development the feasibility of a new method or system can be evaluated including technology, costs and patentability. This is done by using state of the art laboratory equipment (transducer, measurement technology) in combination with signal analysis and simulations.

Biomedical Ultrasound

Technology Analysis

To know the background of state of the art technology products, patents, publications and the market are analyzed.

Decision criteria for the investment in the development of new or alternative solutions are generated and presented in an appropriate way.

Technical Ultrasound

Computer Aided
 Design and Optimization

For any number of applications in technical ultrasound single- and multi-element transducers can be developed and optimized by the use of different design- and simulation tools.

Technical Ultrasound

Computer Aided 
Soundfield Analysis

For the specification of new and the evaluation of existing transducers the analysis of their soundfields is important. Frequency, aperture size and signal type are defined by the soundfield. The penetration depth, the opening angle and the side lobe level essentially rule the quality of technical ultrasound systems for application in quality-assurance and process-control.

Technical Ultrasound

Power Ultrasound and Nonlinear Propagation

For the design and layout of actuators and probes for (high) power ultrasound different simulation tools are used. Coupled analysis including non-linear wave propagation can be indluded. 

Technical Ultrasound

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Systems for the ultrasound based metering of flowing liquids and gases are designed acoustically by the use of tolls for computational fluid dynamics.  

 

Technical Ultrasound

Feasibility Studies

In preparation of a development the feasibility of a new method or system can be evaluated including technology, costs and patentability. This is done by using state of the art laboratory equipment (transducer, measurement technology) in combination with signal analysis and simulations.

Technical Ultrasound

Technology Analysis

To know the background of state of the art technology products, patents, publications and the market are analyzed.

Decision criteria for the investment in the development of new or alternative solutions are generated and presented in an appropriate way.

 

Sonar

Computer Aided 
Design and Optimization

For any number of applications in sonar-technology single- and multi-element transducers can be developed and optimized by the use of different design- and simulation tools.

Sonar

Computer Aided
 Soundfield Analysis

For the specification of new and the evaluation of existing transducers the analysis of their soundfields is important. The frequency, the size of the aperture and the type of signal are defined by the soundfield. The penetration depth, the opening angle and the side lobe level essentially rule the quality of systems for sonar applications. 

Sonar

Technology Analysis

To know the background of state of the art technology products, patents, publications and the market are analyzed. Decision criteria for the investment in the development of new or alternative solutions are generated and presented in an appropriate way.

Sonar

Feasibility Studies

In preparation of a development the feasibility of a new method or system can be evaluated including technology, costs and patentability. This is done by using state of the art laboratory equipment (transducer, measurement technology) in combination with signal analysis and simulations.

General Information

about the Department of Ultrasound

Technical Equipment

of the Department of Ultrasound

Please contact us

We offer bachelor and master thesis, internships and practical semester work for students.

Contact Press / Media

Kerstin Knobe

Secretary

Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik IBMT
Ensheimer Straße 48
66386 St. Ingbert

Phone +49 6897 9071-301

Fax +49 6897 9071-302