NxN square-element ultrasound phased-array applicator: simulated temperature distributions associated with directly...

Computer simulations to demonstrate the possibility of heating small tumors by appropriately driving the electronic control circuitry of an nxn square-element ultrasonic phased array are conducted. The synthesis method consists of simultaneously focusing the ultrasonic beam at different points uniformly distributed along the tumor periphery and, hence, involves no scanning. It is demonstrated that by combining the multiple focusing feature with a new field phasing concept, typical undesired hot spots can be eliminated. The tissue thermal response to this heating modality is investigated by iteratively solving the three-dimensional steady-state bioheat equation. Temperature distributions associated with different directly synthesized power deposition patterns are simulated and discussed.