Breadboard Stystem for piUCT

Breadboard system to analyse the sensitivity to noise and vibration sources of the Phase Insensitive (PI) sensor used on an Ultrasound Computed Tomography system (piUCT)

From 2017 to 2018 I led a project which aimed to develop a research instrument for cancer detection based on the absorption of ultrasounds using a NPL patented sensor. The project focused on developing an advanced scanner which would enable faster scans, compared to the platform that was existing at that time. The main concern raised by the science team was the sensitivity of the sensor to sound and vibrations arising from the actuators or the external environment, leading to long scan operation.

The project started with informal meetings I arranged to understand the science used to scan soft tissues and understand the issues the science team was facing on the current testing rig. Our discussions lead to the next stage where my team and the science team drafted the requirement specifications, using new templates and approaches that were developed by our division (at that time, our division was less than one year old, and was still growing). To better understand how to write requirements, I attended a specific two-day course training on system engineering provided by a professor from University College London. This course was provided by NPL to all staff in the engineering and science departments. It allowed me to better understand system engineering and formalised the approach to gather requirements. As the course was available to a wide range of employee, it facilitated the process. The requirement definition was an iterative process carried out in parallel with other engineering activities such as assessing the current system and looking at scanning patterns compatible with a human body shape.

To assess the current system, I asked the science team to record typical signals with different configurations of vibration dampers. Based on the analysis of the signals, and visual observations, I proposed to develop a breadboard quantify the identified sources of noise and vibration in a very controlled environment. I designed the breadboard around decommissioned equipment and with in mind to reuse it for other projects and designed the experiment methodology. The breadboard was located in a semi-anechoic chamber, and I designed it to mimic the various functions of the original scanner. I could incorporate and try new vibration dampers to be incorporated in the future design. Through the measurement campaign I carried out, I could demonstrate that some sources of sound and vibration could be neglected, while for others cautious care must be observed.

The breadboard allowed my team to support some concept ideas we proposed. These ideas were proposed to a board meeting, which was held every 4 months. In June 2018, the board meeting suggested to investigate one concept design, and possibility to protect the intellectual property for this concept.