Sparse Phased Ultrasound Arrays for Microbubble-Guided FUS Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing focused ultrasound (FUS) therapies face challenges in accurately determining the location of microbubble oscillations and correcting for tissue aberrations, particularly when applied through the skull, due to the high cost and limitations of traditional imaging methods like CT and MRI, necessitating improved systems for location registration and broadband emission detection.
Innovation Solution
The use of adaptable machined ultrasonic transducer arrays (MUTAs), specifically capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) and piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs), for capturing high-resolution images, monitoring microbubble activity, and generating focused ultrasound energy, combined with image registration and control of drive signal amplitude, frequency filtering, and DC biasing to enhance safety and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional imaging methods (CT or MRI) are used for location registration and aberration correction, then imaging capability is provided, but cost and operational restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates acoustic copies of anatomical structures by transmitting focused ultrasound beams through the skull and detecting the acoustic signals reflected or transmitted through the skull. These acoustic images serve as substitutes for traditional CT or MRI scans, enabling location registration and aberration correction without requiring expensive and operationally complex traditional imaging equipment. The acoustic images are generated by processing signals from the ultrasound transducer array, providing a cost-effective alternative to CT/MRI while maintaining the necessary precision for FUS therapy planning.
2Measurement precision
If broadband acoustic emissions are detected with high sensitivity, then microbubble dynamics can be monitored, but detection capability becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadband acoustic signal into distinct frequency components using spectral analysis techniques. By dividing the complex broadband emission into frequency bands, the system can identify and isolate characteristic microbubble oscillation signatures from the overall acoustic background. This segmentation enables high-sensitivity detection of microbubble dynamics while simplifying the measurement process through frequency-domain analysis, making it easier to distinguish microbubble signals from other acoustic sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the acoustic signal acquisition and microbubble detection. This intermediary involves using the acoustic signals as mediators to indirectly characterize microbubble dynamics. By analyzing the acoustic emissions themselves rather than directly observing microbubbles, the system achieves high sensitivity detection of microbubble behavior, including their oscillation patterns and dynamics, while avoiding the technical difficulties of direct observation methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If FUS therapy is applied through the skull, then brain treatment is enabled, but aberration and attenuation from different tissues increase measurement difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary acoustic imaging of the skull and surrounding tissues before FUS therapy is administered. By acquiring acoustic signals and reconstructing images of the skull anatomy and tissue interfaces in advance, the system can pre-calculate and apply correction factors to compensate for aberration and attenuation. This preliminary action enables accurate aberration correction during therapy while maintaining the versatility of transcranial treatment, as the correction parameters are derived from the specific patient's anatomical structure before treatment begins.
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
Enables precise registration of diagnostic images with MRI and CT, high-sensitivity detection of microbubble dynamics, and closed-loop control for safer and more accurate FUS treatments by tuning exposure settings, expanding the safety margin of procedures like blood-brain-barrier disruption.
Implementation Method 1
one or more micromachined ultrasonic transducer arrays (MUTAs) configured to capture a high-resolution image of at least a portion of a body section using ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
different types of acoustic emissions are generated with harmonic, subharmonic, and broadband nature
Implementation Method 3
The type of oscillation leading to inertial or stable cavitation can determine the harmful/useful nature of the FUS application
Implementation Method 4
One mechanical effect of FUS application is the generation of microbubble oscillations
Data Source
AI summary
Multifunctional ultrasound systems and methods for body section registration and mapping of microbubble dynamics. A system is provided that includes one or more micromachined ultrasonic transducer arrays (MUTAs) configured to capture a high-resolution image of at least a portion of a body section using ultrasound and monitor microbubble activity during ultrasound treatment. The system includes an image registration module configured to spatially register the high-resolution image with a reference image. The system includes electronics configured to control one or more of drive signal amplitude, frequency filtering, multiplexing, and DC bias voltage. The system can be configured to control ultrasound treatment based on the Monitoring Verification monitoring of the microbubble activity during treatment.