HIGH FREQUENCY, TWO DIMENSIONAL, ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS

这项工作的总体目标是改善诊断和 癌症及相关疾病患者的管理。我们将实现 这一目标是通过开发和评估新的高分辨率 超声成像换能器阵列。传感器将包含高电平- 频率、二维、稀疏数组元素。二维的，高度的 频率(10-15 MHz)换能器阵列将提高空间分辨率 在所有三个维度上。这项创新将潜在地提供 检测可疑癌症军团并对其进行分类的能力。 稀疏换能器阵列减少了超声信号的数量， 从而降低阵列成本。我们的换能器制造方法基于 关于常见的微细加工技术。我们将使用物理蒸气 沉积(或溅射)高质量的锆钛酸铅(PZT) 薄膜作为压电材料和掩膜来提供元件 几何学和互联性。 在第一阶段，我们最终证明了我们的 通过制造超声波换能器、测量 分析了换能器的特点，设计了一种基于 对测量的特征进行了分析，并演示了成像 使用分析来确定阵列的潜力。在第二阶段，我们将 制作原型换能器阵列，实现成像 算法使用测量的超声波信号，并演示了一个完整的 成像系统。 建议的商业应用： Creare将展示一种创新的方法来制造高性能 频率、高灵敏度、二维超声成像阵列 这将对生物医学成像的所有领域都有好处。这个 这个项目的商业潜力得到了一个 主要的生物医学超声公司。

The overall objective of this effort is to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer and related disorders. We will achieve this objective by developing and evaluating new, high-resolution ultrasonic imaging transducer arrays. The transducers will contain high- frequency, two-dimensional, sparse array elements. Two-dimensional, high- frequency (10-15 MHz) transducer arrays will improve spatial resolution in all three dimensions. This innovation will potentially provide the capability to detect as well as classify suspicious cancerous legions. Sparse transducer arrays reduce the number of ultrasound signals and, thus, reduce the array cost. Our transducer fabrication approach is based on common microfabrication techniques. We will use physical vapor deposition (or sputtering) of high-quality, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films as the piezoelectric material and masking to provide the element geometry and interconnections. In Phase I, we conclusively demonstrated the feasibility of our innovation by fabricating ultrasonic transducers, measuring the characteristics of the transducers, designing an imaging transducer based on the measured characteristics, and demonstrating the image formation potential of the arrays using analysis. During Phase II, we will fabricate prototype transducer arrays, implement the image formation algorithms using measured ultrasonic signals, and demonstrate a complete imaging system. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: Creare will demonstrate an innovative approach for manufacturing high- frequency, highly sensitive, two-dimensional ultrasonic imaging arrays which will be of benefit in all areas of biomedical imaging. The commercial potential of this project is evidenced by the support of a major biomedical ultrasound company.