The Prodigy

A Compact and High-performance Ultrasound System for Engineering Research

Models & Specs

Available Modes

Probes & Modules

Applications

Features & Benefits

Models & Specs

Available Modes

Available Probes

System Overview

The Prodigy is a compact, high-performance ultrasound system optimized for a variety of ultrasound engineering research applications. There are 2 available configurations within the Prodigy architecture: one with 128 transmit/receive channels and the other with 256. The connectors can be freely switched using multiplexers, bringing the maximum supported channels up to 512.

The Prodigy supports many ready-for-use image modes including basic modes:

B-Mode
M-Mode
Color Doppler
PW Doppler
Multi-Focus, Multi-Beam
Duplex and Triplex

As well as a selection of advanced modes:

Pulse Sequence Mode
Trapezoidal or Steerable scanning
Spatial Compounding
Coded Excitation
Harmonic Imaging

All modes have been fully optimized and can be used without fine-tuning parameters.

The Prodigy also provides a special pulse-sequence mode with a well-developed user interface, in which the user can program their own transmit and receive parameters or sequences.

Features & Benefits

A compact and high-performance ultrasound system designed for engineering research

Pulse sequence mode

The Prodigy offers a special pulse sequence mode, in which the user can design their preferred imaging protocol by adjusting transmit and receive parameters in a sequenced manner. The RF data received based on the custom sequence can then be acquired accordingly and can be further manipulated by the user.

Intuitive user interface

The Prodigy has a simple system design and user interface to allow users of all levels to access the technology. All modes have been fully optimized to be ready to use without the need to fine-tune parameters.

Real-time raw data and beamformed data access

RF channel data can be acquired under all imaging modes in real-time. The data may be accessed on-line using the built-in viewer or may be analyzed off-line in third-party software.

Synthetic aperture focusing

Synthetic aperture focusing includes techniques such as synthetic transmit and receive aperture, sparse synthetic aperture, and random synthetic receive aperture.
When implemented, synthetic aperture focusing can result in higher quality images.

Adaptive imaging

Complex adaptive beamforming algorithms can be implemented in real time on the Prodigy system using the embedded graphical processing unit. Both pre/post-beamforming algorithms can be implemented.

All-in-one design with 3 transducer connectors

The connectors can be freely switched using multiplexers, bringing the maximum supported channels up to 512.

True arbitrary transmit waveform with DAC

The Prodigy system uses a 4096-level digital to analog converter (DAC) + linear amplifier to provide true arbitrary transmit waveforms. In addition, each channel and pulse in a sequence can be programmed independently.

Support of 256 channels with customized probe board

There are three probe connectors on the Prodigy 256:

One 256-channel DLM360 connector
Two 128-channel DLM156 connectors

Customized probe adapters are available upon request.

Coded excitation

Coded excitation is used to improve signal to noise ratio and penetration depth when imaging with the Prodigy system. Multiple coded excitations are available on the system, while codes can be arbitrarily designed using the bipolar pulser. The resulting sequence can also be arranged with different codes, enabling a variety of applications using coded excitation.

Fully programmable architecture

The system provides a well-developed user interface, in which the user can program transmit and receive parameters and sequences for various research applications. Users do not need to have programming skills to use the Prodigy and so are able to focus on their research right away. In addition to the graphic user interface, C#, Matlab, and Python can also be used to program this flexible system.

Measurement tools

The software provides a variety of measurement tools for all imaging modes. These tools include measurements of geometry, displacement, velocity, acceleration, and heart rate.

Triggered imaging (in/out) for integration with external devices

Triggered imaging is used to help synchronize external devices with the Prodigy system. This enables more advanced imaging techniques such as photoacoustic imaging.

Harmonic imaging

Harmonic imaging improves the image quality in terms of spatial and contrast resolutions. Both filter based and pulse-inversion based harmonic imaging can be implemented.

Spatial compounding

The Prodigy system allows for spatial compounding at up to nine pre-specified steering angles.

Models & Specifications

Transmitter

Channel Count: 128 or 256
Frequency: 1KHz – 30MHz *frequencies as low as 24Hz can be provided upon request as a custom option
Transmit Waveform: Arbitrary waveform with 4096 steps
DAC sampling: up to 180MSPS

Output Voltage and Power

Configuration	Transmit Voltage	One-shot transmit	Continuous Transmit
Standard	Adjustable up to 170 Vpp	72mJ/ch	0.2W/ch
With high-power option	Adjustable up to 160 Vpp	96 mJ/ch	1W/ch

Receiver

Channel count: 128 or 256
Programmable gain range: -3~48 dB
ADC sampling: 16 bit, up to 125MSPS

PC System (Embedded)

RAM: 16GB or above
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 or above
Data transfer: 2x PCIe Gen 3 x8, providing 10GB/s

Imaging Modes

Basic: B/ M/ PW/ C/ PS/ SA
Advanced; Trapezoidal/ Steerable scan formats/ multi-beam/ Compounding/ Coded excitation/ Harmonic/ Triplex/ duplex
Pulse sequence: GUI-based interface for generating pulse sequences with a variety of applications (SWEI, Photoacoustics, etc…)

Probe Connectors

One 256-channel connector and two 128-channel connectors can be multiplexed for a maximum of 512 channels.

Others

Probe Connectors: 3
Trigger in/out, clock out: software programmable

External Interfaces

Trigger in/out, clock output

Environmental

Temperature: operation 10~40°C, storage -20~60°C
Humidity: operation max. 80%, storage max. 95%

Electrical specifications

External power supply: AC input 100V~240V (50~60Hz)
Rated input current: 5A max.
Power consumption: 550 Watts max.

System Dimensions

W x H x D: 342mm x 382mm x 398mm (13.5 x 15.0 x 15.7 inch)

System Weight

36kg (79.3lb)

Regulations

EMC: 61326-1
Safety: IEC 61010-1

Applications

Shear Wave Elastography

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Pulse Sequence Programming

Real-time Channel Data Acquisition

Compounding

Adaptive Imaging

Harmonic Imaging

Shear Wave Elastography

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Pulse Sequence Programming

Real-time Channel Data Acquisition

Compounding

Adaptive Imaging

Harmonic Imaging

Coded Excitation

Triggered Imaging

Synthetic Aperture Focusing

Coded Excitation

Triggered Imaging

Synthetic Aperture Focusing

Available Modes

NOTE – For all modes the RAW data may be saved, this can be set as the default save format, or selected by the user for each new instance when the data is saved.

Doppler Mode

Doppler Mode is available on the Prodigy system, it may be used to estimate Color Doppler imaging, and has excellent sensitivity and accuracy.

Pulsed-Wave (PW)
Doppler Mode

Pulsed-Wave (PW) Doppler Mode

PW Doppler Mode is available on the Prodigy system, it may be used to assess flow velocities as a function of time. The liquid being assessed must have some reflective component to it, such as red blood cells in blood. The duplex and triplex capabilities allow for simultaneous acquisition of the flow location in Doppler Mode window, and quantitative flow measurements in the PW spectrum.

B-Mode

B Mode is available on the Prodigy system, providing strong penetration of the ultrasound signal due to the high sensitivity of the hardware design and imaging techniques.

M-Mode

M-Mode is available on the Prodigy system, it may be used to assess motion as a function of time along a single line. This may be important when determining dimensional changes of an imaging target.

Pulse Sequence (PS) Mode

Pulse Sequence Mode is available on the Prodigy system, allowing users to easily generate arbitrary waveforms within the graphical user interface (GUI)

Available Probes

NOTE: The Prodigy system is able to support probes up to 30MHz, and all formats of probes may be supported. Please contact us to discuss your customization needs.