This vast increase brings with it pressure for the commercialization of existing research systems as well as the development of new systems capable of rapidly pivoting based on clinical need. To fully address these new challenges, solutions are needed which combine the high integration levels of modern diagnostic systems with larger apertures, higher output powers, better thermal handling and more novel pulsing and focusing control, while also addressing regulatory and safety requirements.
The design of systems for diagnostic medical ultrasound is a mature process dating back decades. Over time, systems have progressed from single element transducers with bulky, discrete power systems and analog electronic chains through high-element count arrays with integrated electronics, to modern wireless systems able to connect directly to a smart phone or tablet. By contrast, the development of therapeutic systems is only just beginning to mature, with the majority of systems still featuring discrete components connected with long, lossy cables and minimal channel counts. To meet the growing needs of the clinical user, systems need to leverage the decades of learning from diagnostic applications to facilitate small form-factor, integrated, modular solutions.
In this paper we present a solution to these diverse needs where we developed a highly integrated, modular transducer solution which combines channel-level transmit electronics, fully-sampled elements and in-module cooling circuits. Modules can be combined as the application and acoustics command/require, for example, 52 x 13 mm modules can be combined in smaller 2-4 module groups for more portable, shallow depth applications or 16 or more modules for applications requiring penetration or low f number at high power. By placing the transmit electronics within 5 cm of the acoustic stack and directly coupling them to the cooling channel, both power and cooling efficiency can be maximized, allowing therapeutic pressure levels at much lower drive voltages. This efficiency opens the door both for the adaptation of existing diagnostic electronics as well as paving the way for the cost, size and weight reductions required for far more portable solutions.
