Development of a portable therapeutic and high intensity ultrasound system for military, medical, and research use.
We have developed a portable high power ultrasound system with a very low output impedance amplifier circuit (less than 0.3 Omega) that can transfer more than 90% of the energy from a battery supply to the ultrasound transducer. The system can deliver therapeutic acoustical energy waves at lower voltages than those in conventional ultrasound systems because energy losses owing to a mismatched impedance are eliminated. The system can produce acoustic power outputs over the therapeutic range (greater then 50 W) from a PZT-4, 1.54 MHz, and 0.75 in diameter piezoelectric ceramic. It is lightweight, portable, and powered by a rechargeable battery. The portable therapeutic ultrasound unit has the potential to replace "plug-in" medical systems and rf amplifiers used in research. The system is capable of field service on its internal battery, making it especially useful for military, ambulatory, and remote medical applications.
Lewis
George K
GK
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. george@cornellbme.com
Olbricht
William L
WL
D017097:Electric Impedance; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D012106:Research / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014159:Transducers; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*