Demonstration of second-harmonic IVUS feasibility with focused broadband miniature transducers

Focused broadband miniature polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF TrFE) ultrasonic transducers were investigated for intravascular (IVUS) second-harmonic imaging. Modeling and experimental studies demonstrated that focused transducers, unlike conventional flat transducers, build up second harmonic peak pressures faster and stronger, leading to an increased SNR of second harmonic content within the coronary geometry. Experimental results demonstrated that focused second harmonic pressures could be controlled to occur at specific depths by controlling the f-number of the transducer. The experimental results were in good agreement with the modeled results. Experiments were conducted using three imaging modalities: fundamental 20 MHz (F20), second harmonic 40 MHz (H40), and fundamental 40 MHz (F40). The lateral resolutions for a 1-mm transducer (f-number 3.2) at F20, F40, and H40 were experimentally measured to be 162, 123, and 124 microm, respectively, which agreed well with the theoretical calculations with <<8% error. Lateral resolution was further characterized in the three modes, using a micromachined phantom consisting of fixed bars and spaces with widths ranging from 20 to 160 microm. H40 exhibited better lateral resolution, clearly displaying 40- and 60-microm bars with about 4 dB and 7 dB greater signal strength compared with F20. Ex vivo human aorta images were obtained in the second-harmonic imaging mode to show the feasibility of high resolution second-harmonic IVUS using focused transducers.