The concentric-ring array for ultrasound hyperthermia: combined mechanical and electrical scanning

While two-dimensional phased arrays can be electronically focused and steered in three dimensions without physically moving the applicator, they generally require a relatively large number of small transducer elements and, consequently, complex drive electronics. A configuration that does not require a large number of elements is that of a concentric-ring array. The field conjugation method can be used to produce a focal spot (or multiple spots) along the array axis. The resulting focal regions are very small and need to be steered transversely to heat tumours of typical size. However, steering the focused beam away from the array axis results in annular heating patterns which are often associated with undesired secondary foci (hot spots). In this paper, a method based on combining electrical and mechanical scanning using a concentric-ring applicator is presented. Advantages of the new method over the mechanically scanned fixed-focus transducers, currently in use, are pointed out. Computer simulations are conducted to investigate the possibility of heating different size tumours by appropriately combining the two scanning techniques. The bioheat transfer equation is solved numerically and temperature distributions associated with relevant heating patterns are presented and discussed. The simulations demonstrate the possibility of the combined technique to produce useful heating patterns which cannot be produced by either technique separately.