SBIR-STTR Award

The feasibility of building small ultrasound imaging arrays with integrated electronics is explored. These arrays will ultimately be used to build laparoscopic, ultrasound imaging probes which can be used at forward military surgical locations or in emergency rooms and surgical suites. The methods for building miniature laparoscopic probes are described and arguments presented which indicated the need for small (5 mm or less) articulation mechanisms. To achieve this goal, the critical item required is a multilayer interconnect means which provides for mounting of the active multiplexer electronics, connection to 128 individual array elements, and connection to the imaging system console via a reduced number of signal channels. Methods for making the required interconnect structure will be evaluated and the most promising design will be fabricated and demonstrated. The outcome of this research benefits the military by making it possible to build light-weight, articulated intraoperative and emergency surgery probes to be used in forward surgical facilities or in field hospitals. Ultrasound imaging in these locations will guide emergency care by identification of bleeding and internal damage while simultaneously reducing surgical exploration. Ultimately, this type of care for wounded soldiers will increase survival rate and decrease recovery time. Anticipated Military Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications of the Research or Development: The military gains a new tool which can be used at forward surgery locations or field hospitals to perform quick exploration of wound sites and internal bleeding. Private sector surgeons will gain a small, flexible means to guide minimally invasive surgery and therapy.

Keywords:
Surgery; Ultrasound; Laparoscopy; Articulate; Guidance

Methods for building a class of sub 5mm diameter ultrasound imaging arrays with integrated electronics were explored in Phase I and the approach investigated was found to be feasible. Arrays for many interventional procedures require two to six centimeters of penetration, need a large number of array elements operating simultaneously to obtain useful resolution and frame rate, and yet must fit within packages smaller than 5mm in diameter. The array fabrication technology and the custom multiplexing circuits that are the subject of this grant address this range of imaging problems. The goal of Phase II, is to implement the methods identified and to build a demonstration device that places a small linear array in a 5mm diameter articulated laparoscopic probe for surgical imaging. Methods for making these probes steam sterilizable (autocalvable) will also be explored. In the near term the combination of miniature ultrasound arrays, position encoding of probes, and image fusion of data sets (these later two technologies are part of the related TRP project) will enable ultrasound guidance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. In the long term this technology will provide the 3-D imaging data sets for robotically assisted surgical procedures. The direct result of this research will be a working laparoscopic or endoscopic ultrasound probe capable of passing through cannulas or body openings as small as 5mm in diameter. There are also several significant indirect results such as the development of a high-performance multiplexer chip for ultrasound applications packaged in a small fraction of the size currently available, and advanced interconnection and thermal management technology. From the probe the military gains a new tool which can be used at forward surgery locations of field hospitals to perform quick exploration of wound sites and internal bleeding. The civilian sector surgeon will gain a small, flexible means to guide minimally invasive surgery and therapy. Other commercial products for related invasive applications will result from the availability of the technologies developed.

Keywords:
Surgery; Ultrasound; Laparoscopy; Articulate; Guidance; Expl