Lamb Wave Coverslip Ultrasound for Focused Neurostimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound neurostimulation methods using commercial transducers suffer from frequency attenuation and complex experimental setups due to the use of plane waves, limiting high-frequency applications and complicating the coupling with biological samples.
Innovation Solution
A novel ultrasound stimulation device utilizing the Lamb wave mode-conversion principle, employing a piezoelectric cylinder and glass coverslip to generate and guide antisymmetric Lamb waves that converge and deliver ultrasound directly to the biological specimen, minimizing energy loss and setup complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-frequency ultrasound plane waves are used for neurostimulation, then spatial resolution is improved, but energy attenuation increases and effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a glass coverslip as an intermediary waveguide between the ultrasound source and the biological sample. This coverslip guides the Lamb waves from the piezoelectric transducer to the sample location, enabling focused high-frequency ultrasound delivery with reduced energy loss in the coupling medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the ultrasound wave type from plane waves to Lamb waves by changing the propagation medium to a thin solid plate (glass coverslip). This parameter change enables higher frequency operation with reduced attenuation, as Lamb waves in solids experience less frequency-dependent attenuation compared to plane waves in liquids.
2Reliability
If commercial focused or planar ultrasound transducers are used, then neurostimulation capability is achieved, but experimental setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ultrasound transducer, waveguide (glass coverslip), and sample holder into a single integrated device. The piezoelectric transducer is positioned directly against the glass coverslip, which simultaneously serves as the acoustic coupling medium, waveguide, and sample support, eliminating the need for separate coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass coverslip performs multiple functions: it acts as an acoustic waveguide for Lamb waves, provides a flat sample support surface, enables optical access for imaging, and serves as the acoustic coupling interface between the transducer and the sample, replacing multiple separate components.
3Device complexity
If plane waves are used for ultrasound stimulation, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but energy loss in coupling liquid increases with frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the liquid coupling medium with a solid waveguide (glass coverslip) that supports Lamb wave propagation. This substitution eliminates the frequency-squared attenuation problem inherent in liquid-based plane wave propagation, as solid plates support guided waves with much lower attenuation even at high frequencies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves high spatial resolution and broad frequency bandwidth with focused ultrasound delivery, reducing experimental complexity and enhancing the effectiveness of neurostimulation.
Implementation Method 1
the device had a piezoelectric cylinder
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the Lamb wave mode-conversion principle, employing a piezoelectric cylinder and glass coverslip to generate and guide antisymmetric Lamb waves that converge and deliver ultrasound directly to the biological specimen
Data Source
AI summary
Ultrasonic excitation to a sample is provided with an apparatus including: a cylindrical ultrasonic transducer, and a plate disposed on an end of the cylindrical ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to provide a vertical vibration in operation. A Lamb wave vibration is generated in the plate by the vertical vibration of the ultrasonic transducer. The Lamb wave vibration converges at a central region of the plate, where a sample is disposed. Alternatively, a cylindrical array of ultrasonic transducers can be used instead of a single cylindrical transducer. Such an array can be driven as a phased array for beam shaping and/or multi-focusing.