The Characterization and Assembly of an Efficient, Cost Effective Focused Ultrasound Transducer

Ultrasonic imaging has been a staple of medical technology for the past 50 years. Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a rising new application of ultrasonic technologies that concentrates power at focal point(s). With the precision of the focal point, FUS offers a promise for a noninvasive yet highly conformal therapy option. This has encouraged a number of research groups to investigate its feasibility in different therapeutic applications. These applications include High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to coagulate cancerous tumors, Medium Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MIFU) to create a disruption in the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) for drug delivery or Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) for neuromodulation. The paper offers the procedures to assemble two cost effective options for piezoelectric FUS transducers. In addition, it characterizes their performance, the effects of bonding agents and the environments on them. This process was realized through both passive characterization of the reactants and active detection with a hydrophone.