用于血管内超声成像的高频换能器研制

血管内超声(Intravascular Ultrasound,IVUS)成像技术可以精确评估血管腔口径、血管壁形态和其他相关血流和血管特性,在冠状动脉疾病的诊断、治疗指导和治疗后的评估中发挥着重要作用。文章设计并制备了一种用于血管内超声成像的高频超声换能器,并对换能器的电学和声学性能进行测试和表征。结果表明,所制备IVUS换能器的中心频率为38.9 MHz,-6 dB相对带宽为56.6%,在谐振频率42.3 MHz处的电阻抗为22.6Ω,在反谐振频率48.2MHz处的电阻抗为56.5Ω,有效机电耦合系数为0.48。使用该换能器进行线仿体成像实验的结果显示,换能器的纵向分辨率为54μm,横向分辨率为209μm。最后,将文中制备的超声换能器与国外同类型换能器进行比较,结果表明,该换能器的性能良好,能够满足血管内超声临床检测需求,未来有望能够突破技术瓶颈,实现国产替代。     

Quantitative 3-d diagnostic ultrasound imaging using a modified transducer array and an automated image tracking technique

An approach for acquiring dimensionally accurate three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound data from multiple 2-D image planes is presented. This is based on the use of a modified linear-phased array comprising a central imaging array that acquires multiple, essentially parallel, 2-D slices as the transducer is translated over the tissue of interest. Small, perpendicularly oriented, tracking arrays are integrally mounted on each end of the imaging transducer. As the transducer is translated in an elevational direction with respect to the central imaging array, the images obtained by the tracking arrays remain largely coplanar. The motion between successive tracking images is determined using a minimum sum of absolute difference (MSAD) image matching technique with subpixel matching resolution. An initial phantom scanning-based test of a prototype 8 MHz array indicates that linear dimensional accuracy of 4.6% (2 /spl sigma/) is achievable. This result compares favorably with those obtained using an assumed average velocity [31.5% (2 /spl sigma/) accuracy] and using an approach based on measuring image-to-image decorrelation [8.4% (2 /spl sigma/) accuracy]. The prototype array and imaging system were also tested in a clinical environment, and early results suggest that the approach has the potential to enable a low cost, rapid, screening method for detecting carotid artery stenosis. The average time for performing a screening test for carotid stenosis was reduced from an average of 45 minutes using 2-D duplex Doppler to 12 minutes using the new 3-D scanning approach.     

Fourier transform infrared imaging of human hair with a high spatial resolution without the use of a synchrotron

The cross-section of a human hair has been imaged for the first time using the micro attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) method in combination with a focal plane array (FPA) detector. A rigorous approach was applied to determine the spatial resolution, namely, measuring the distance over which the band absorbance changes from 95 to 5% of the maximum absorbance when passing through a sharp interface. The measured value for IR transmission was approximately 16 microm, while the value obtained using ATR imaging was approximately 5 microm. The enhanced spatial resolution achieved by this method allows the medulla of the hair (approximately 8 microm in diameter) to be imaged clearly without the need for a synchrotron source. The spatial resolution of transmission and ATR imaging is compared, and advantages of ATR imaging are discussed.     

Hybrid method combining orthogonal projection Fourier transform profilometry and laser speckle imaging for 3D visualization of flow profile

This paper reports a straightforward technique for three-dimensional (3D) visualization of a flow profile by a hybrid algorithm combining Fourier transform orthogonal fringe projection and laser speckle imaging techniques. The use of orthogonal projection aims to suppress the zero order allowing surface reconstruction with high spatial resolution and accuracy while analyzing the intensity fluctuations of diffuse backscattered laser light providing 2D flow information. Once both are achieved, 3D flow visualization can be displayed. The method is experimentally validated first with a plastic tube filled with scattering liquid (milk) running at various controlled flow rates and then with the tube embedded under scattering layers (chicken breast) of varying thickness. The system includes a single, common camera, a commercial projector (profilometry channel), a laser light source (flow channel), and a computer station. In addition, orthogonal projection processing was combined with Hilbert transform, increasing the visualization and resolution of the measured flow profile.     

An integrated circuit with transmit beamforming flip-chip bonded to a 2-D CMUT array for 3-D ultrasound imaging

State-of-the-art 3-D medical ultrasound imaging requires transmitting and receiving ultrasound using a 2-D array of ultrasound transducers with hundreds or thousands of elements. A tight combination of the transducer array with integrated circuitry eliminates bulky cables connecting the elements of the transducer array to a separate system of electronics. Furthermore, preamplifiers located close to the array can lead to improved receive sensitivity. A combined IC and transducer array can lead to a portable, high-performance, and inexpensive 3-D ultrasound imaging system. This paper presents an IC flip-chip bonded to a 16 x 16-element capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array for 3-D ultrasound imaging. The IC includes a transmit beamformer that generates 25-V unipolar pulses with programmable focusing delays to 224 of the 256 transducer elements. One-shot circuits allow adjustment of the pulse widths for different ultrasound transducer center frequencies. For receiving reflected ultrasound signals, the IC uses the 32-elements along the array diagonals. The IC provides each receiving element with a low-noise 25-MHz-bandwidth transimpedance amplifier. Using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) clocked at 100 MHz to operate the IC, the IC generated properly timed transmit pulses with 5-ns accuracy. With the IC flip-chip bonded to a CMUT array, we show that the IC can produce steered and focused ultrasound beams. We present 2-D and 3-D images of a wire phantom and 2-D orthogonal cross-sectional images (Bscans) of a latex heart phantom.     

A cell‐based smoothed discrete shear gap method (CS‐FEM‐DSG3) based on the C0‐type higher‐order shear deformation theory for dynamic responses of Mindlin plates on viscoelastic foundations subjected to a moving sprung vehicle

A cell‐based smoothed discrete shear gap method (CS‐FEM‐DSG3) based on the first‐order shear deformation theory (FSDT) was recently proposed for static and dynamic analyses of Mindlin plates. In this paper, the CS‐FEM‐DSG3 is extended to the C⁰‐type higher‐order shear deformation plate theory (C⁰‐HSDT) and is incorporated with damping–spring systems for dynamic responses of Mindlin plates on viscoelastic foundations subjected to a moving sprung vehicle. At each time step of dynamic analysis, one four‐step procedure is performed including the following: (1) transformation of the weight of a four‐wheel vehicle into the sprung masses at wheels; (2) dynamic analysis of the sprung mass of wheels to determine the contact forces; (3) transformation of the contact forces into loads at nodes of plate elements; and (4) dynamic analysis of the plate elements on viscoelastic foundations. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed method are verified by comparing its numerical solutions with those of other available numerical results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.