IN SITU, HIGH SPEED SCANNING ACOUSTIC MICROSCOPE

以超高频(100-1000 MHz)工作的扫描声显微镜允许在类似于光学显微镜提供的微观尺度上对组织进行可视化，另外的好处是不需要对组织样本进行活组织检查。声学显微镜的潜在临床应用包括皮肤细胞、食道细胞、结肠细胞和动脉细胞的原位成像。该项目的目标是为执业临床医生提供一种工具，作为物理活组织检查程序的辅助或替代。Creare正在致力于完成创新的高速200 MHz扫描声学显微镜的开发，用于原位成像，该显微镜采用氧化锌(ZnO)超声换能器的线性阵列，可安装在内窥镜、结肠镜、支气管镜、腹腔镜或活检针中。我们的第一阶段结果清楚地证明了制造超高频超声换能器阵列的可行性。Creare制作了150 MHz换能器阵列，测量了换能器元件的声学性能，并设计了用于临床的声学显微镜原型。在第二阶段，Creare将包装该阵列，用于重要的临床应用，并通过广泛的测试评估该设备的实用性。拟议的商业应用：拟议的微型扫描声学显微镜将能够实现高分辨率的原位组织表征，我们期望在进行病理诊断时作为组织活检的辅助或替代。此外，它还有可能使半导体行业的无损测试和评估实践发生革命性变化。

Scanning acoustic microscopes which operate at ultra-high frequencies (100-1000 MHz), permit the visualization of tissues on a microscopic scale similar to that provided by light nncroscopy, with the added benefit that the tissue sampie does not need to be biopsied. Potential clinical applications of acoustic microscopy include in situ imaging of cells on the skin, in the esophagus, in the colon, and in arteries. The goal of this project is to provide the practicing clinician with a tool to serve as an adjunct or replacement for physical biopsy procedures. Creare is working to complete the development of an innovative high speed, 200 MHz, scanning acoustic microscope for in situ imaging that employs a linear array of zinc oxide (ZnO) ultrasonic transducers which can be mounted in an endoscope, colonoscope, bronchoscope, laparoscope, or biopsy needle. Our Phase I results clearly demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating ultra high frequency ultrasonic transducer arrays. Creare fabricated 150 MHz transducer arrays, measured the acoustic performance of transducer elements, and performed the design of a prototype acoustic microscope for clinical use. During Phase II, Creare will package the array for use in important clinical applications and evaluate the utility of the device with extensive testing. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The proposed miniature scanning acoustic microscope will enable high resolution, in situ tissue characterization that we expect to serve as an adjunct to or replacement for tissue biopsy in performing pathological diagnosis. In addition, it has the potential to revolutionize the practice of nondestructive testing and evaluation for the semiconductor industry.