Simultaneous multi-target ultrasound neuromodulation in freely-moving mice based on a single-element ultrasound transducer

Jiaru He; Yiyue Zhu; Canwen Wu; Junwei Wu; Yan Chen; Maodan Yuan; Zhongwen Cheng; Lvming Zeng; Xuanrong Ji

doi:10.1088/1741-2552/acb104

Simultaneous multi-target ultrasound neuromodulation in freely-moving mice based on a single-element ultrasound transducer

J Neural Eng. 2023 Jan 20;20(1). doi: 10.1088/1741-2552/acb104.

Authors

Jiaru He¹, Yiyue Zhu¹, Canwen Wu¹, Junwei Wu¹, Yan Chen¹, Maodan Yuan¹, Zhongwen Cheng¹, Lvming Zeng¹, Xuanrong Ji¹

Affiliation

¹ State Key Laboratory of Precision Electronic Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.

PMID: 36608340
DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acb104

Abstract

Objective.Ultrasound neuromodulation has become an emerging method for the therapy of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. The phased array ultrasonic transducer enables multi-target ultrasound neuromodulation in small animals, but the relatively large size and mass and the thick cables of the array limit the free movement of small animals. Furthermore, spatial interference may occur during multi-target ultrasound brain stimulation with multiple micro transducers.Approach.In this study, we developed a miniature power ultrasound transducer and used the virtual source time inversion method and 3D printing technology to design, optimize, and manufacture the acoustic holographic lens to construct a multi-target ultrasound neuromodulation system for free-moving mice. The feasibility of the system was verified byin vitrotranscranial ultrasound field measurements,in vivodual-target blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening experiments, andin vivodual-target ultrasound neuromodulation experiments.Main results.The developed miniature transducer had a diameter of 4.0 mm, a center frequency of 1.1 MHz, and a weight of 1.25 g. The developed miniature acoustic holographic lens had a weight of 0.019 g to generate dual-focus transcranial ultrasound. The ultrasonic field measurements' results showed that the bifocal's horizontal distance was 3.0 mm, the -6 dB focal spot width in thex-direction was 2.5 and 2.25 mm, and 2.12 and 2.24 mm in they-direction. Finally, thein vivoexperimental results showed that the system could achieve dual-target BBB opening and ultrasound neuromodulation in freely-moving mice.Significance.The ultrasonic neuromodulation system based on a miniature single-element transducer and the miniature acoustic holographic lens could achieve dual-target neuromodulation in awake small animals, which is expected to be applied to the research of non-invasive dual-target ultrasonic treatment of brain diseases in awake small animals.

Keywords: acoustic holographic lens; blood brain barrier opening; brain stimulation; noninvasive; time inversion.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Blood-Brain Barrier
Brain
Mice
Movement
Transducers
Ultrasonic Therapy* / methods
Ultrasonics*