New Sm-PMN-PT Ceramic-Based 2-D Array for Low-Intensity Ultrasound Therapy Application

IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2020 Oct;67(10):2085-2094. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2020.2979471. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Abstract

A two-dimensional (2-D) array with a small pitch (approximately 0.5λ in medium) can achieve complete 3-D control of ultrasound beams without grating lobes and enable the generation of multiple focal spots simultaneously, which is a desired tool for noninvasive therapy. However, the large electrical impedance of 2-D array elements owing to their small size results in a low energy transfer efficiency between a 2-D array and an electrical system, thereby limiting their practical applications. This article presents the development of a 1-MHz 256-element 2-D array ultrasonic transducer of low electrical impedance based on a new Sm-doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (Sm-PMN-PT) piezoceramic with ultrahigh dielectric permittivity. The electrical impedance of the array element is decreased by 3.4 times as the Sm-PMN-PT replacing commercial PZT-5H. Consequently, the output acoustic pressure of the 2-D array made of Sm-PMN-PT ceramic is approximately twice that of the 2-D array made of PZT-5H ceramic under the same excitation conditions. Array elements are spaced at a 1.1-mm pitch ( 0.71λ in water), enabling a large steering range of the ultrasound beam. A multiple-target blood-brain barrier opening in vivo is demonstrated using the proposed 2-D array with electronic focusing and steering. The obtained results indicate that the 2-D array made of Sm-PMN-PT ceramic is promising for practical use in low-intensity ultrasound therapy applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / radiation effects
  • Brain / radiation effects
  • Ceramics / chemistry*
  • Equipment Design
  • Male
  • Metals / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Skull / physiology
  • Transducers*
  • Ultrasonic Therapy / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Metals