title: A 30-MHz piezo-composite ultrasound array for medical imaging applications.
abstract: Ultrasound imaging at frequencies above 20 MHz is capable of achieving improved resolution in clinical applications requiring limited penetration depth. High frequency arrays that allow real-time imaging are desired for these applications but are not yet currently available. In this work, a method for fabricating fine-scale 2-2 composites suitable for 30-MHz linear array transducers was successfully demonstrated. High thickness coupling, low mechanical loss, and moderate electrical loss were achieved. This piezo-composite was incorporated into a 30-MHz array that included acoustic matching, an elevation focusing lens, electrical matching, and an air-filled kerf between elements. Bandwidths near 60%, 15-dB insertion loss, and crosstalk less than -30 dB were measured. Images of both a phantom and an ex vivo human eye were acquired using a synthetic aperture reconstruction method, resulting in measured lateral and axial resolutions of approximately 100 microm.
authors.affiliation: NIH Resource Center for Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Shrout
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tutwiler
authors.forename: K Kirk
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Shung
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D004867:Equipment Design; D005123:Eye / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*