SBIR-STTR Award

The primary objective of this proposal is twofold. The first is to investigate theoretically and experimentally acoustic, electrical, and geometric parameters of 1.5-D ultrasound transducer array. The modeling and simulations of the arrays of various geometry, center frequencies, and acoustic materials will be performed, analyzed and optimized. The optimization criteria will be the best achievable lateral resolution in elevation and azimuthal direction of the acoustic fields. The second objective is to fabricate several optimally designed prototypes of 1.5-D transducer arrays, measure acoustic fields in 3-dimensions, characterize combination of axial, lateral, and contrast resolution of the prototypes. We will also investigate such vitally important performance issues as acoustic and electrical crosstalk, matching techniques, impedance variation, bandwidth and waveform. For the best resolution, i.e. best imaging results, we will select aperature in both dimensions, focusing strength, and practical design and fabrications criteria to address the issue of subsequent produceability. Anticipated

Benefits:
The major military benefit is the development and subsequent fabrication of an unique portable 3-D ultrasonic scanner for battlefield emergency care. Such scanner will have a dual-use in both military and civilian trauma diagnostics. Since the imaging quality will be sufficiently improved, this technology will be commercialized for other imaging diagnostic applications. Also the 1.5 array and 2-D scanhead represent an OEM product opportunity for other diagnostic equipment manufacturers.

Keywords:
Ultrasound, Imaging, Transducer, Array, Simulations, Medical

Primary objective of this proposal is to research, develop, and fabricate 2-dimensional ultrasound probes for 3-dimensional medical diagnostic imaging. Conventional 1-dimensional ultrasound probes are utilized for 2-dimensional (B-scan) imaging and have inherently limited capabilities, specifically in acquiring 3-dimensional information for diagnostic purposes. Consequently, image details representing valuable diagnostic information is obscured or irretrievably lost. We propose a research and development effort to create an array based 2-dimensional probe in compact, diagnostically useful package which provides 3-dimensional acquisition capabilities and could interface with existing and future ultrasound diagnostic instruments. Subsequently to the Phase I optimization of 1-D and 1.5-D transducer arrays, the array-based, mechanically scanned probes, will be made in Phase II to accept linear, curved linear and phased arrays in 1-D or 1.5-D configurations. Specific tasks will include modeling and simulations of the arrays of various geometries and center frequencies. Acoustic materials will be analyzed and optimized for the scan head design. Advanced mechanical designs and interconnect techniques will be researched and optimized for the probes. Matching electronics and electronic controller will be designed, fabricated and incorporated into the future product. Finally, the 2-D probe pre-production prototypes will be fabricated in a modular form for testing with ultrasound diagnostic instruments. The major benefit is a development of commercially available 2-D acquisition system consisting of the complete ultrasound probe and modular electronic controller compatible with variety of ultrasound medical imaging systems for 3-D imaging. The developed 2-D probes with controllers will represent an OEM product opportunity for a number of diagnostic equipment manufacturers with wide range of medical applications. Such probes will also be utilized in DARPA supported development and fabrication of a unique 3-D ultrasonic scanner with the dual-use in both military and civilian trauma diagnostics and emergency care.

Keywords:
Ultrasound, Imaging, Transducer, Array, Simulations, Medical