Design and Fabrication of a Novel Dual-Frequency Confocal Ultrasound Transducer for Microvessels Super-Harmonic Imaging

IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2021 Apr;68(4):1272-1277. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2020.3028505. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Abstract

Recently, super-harmonic ultrasound imaging technology has caused much attention due to its capability of distinguishing microvessels from the tissues surrounding them. However, the fabrication of a dual-frequency confocal transducer is still a challenge. In this work, 270- [Formula: see text] PMN-PT single crystal 1-3 composite and 28- [Formula: see text] PVDF thick film, acting as transmission layer and receiving layer, respectively, are integrated in a novel co-focusing structure. To realize delicate wave propagation control, microwave transmission line theory is introduced to design such structure. Two acoustic filter layers, 13- [Formula: see text] copper layer and 39- [Formula: see text] Epoxy 301 layer, are indispensable and should be added between two piezoelectric layers. Therefore, an acoustic issue can be overcome via an electrical method and the successful achievement of a dual-frequency (5 MHz/30 MHz) ultrasound transducer with a confocal distance of 8 mm can be realized. The super-harmonic ultrasound imaging experiment is conducted using this kind of device. The 3-D image of 110- [Formula: see text]-diameter phantom tube injected with microbubbles can be obtained. These promising results demonstrate that this novel dual-frequency (5 MHz/30 MHz) confocal ultrasound transducer is potentially usable for microvascular medical imaging application in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Microbubbles*
  • Microvessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Transducers*
  • Ultrasonography