Intravascular Ultrasound Transducer by Using Polarization Inversion Technique for Tissue Harmonic Imaging: Modeling...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) tissue harmonic imaging (THI) offers deep penetration and high resolution for vessel imaging.
• Designing IVUS transducers for THI with required broad or dual-frequency bandwidths is challenging.
• Existing methods struggle to achieve the necessary frequency characteristics for optimal THI performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the polarization inversion technique (PIT) for developing IVUS transducers for THI.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of PIT in creating transducers with suitable frequency bandwidths for THI.
• To present novel FSIL and BSIL IVUS transducer designs utilizing PIT.

Main Methods:

• Applied the polarization inversion technique (PIT) to design IVUS transducers for THI.
• Developed two transducer types: front-side inversion layer (FSIL) for broad bandwidth and back-side inversion layer (BSIL) for dual-frequency bandwidth.
• Utilized finite element analysis (FEA) for design and simulation, followed by prototype fabrication and performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• FEA simulations and experimental tests confirmed the successful implementation of PIT for THI.
• Evaluated transducer performance through electrical impedance, pulse-echo response, and B-mode imaging tests.
• Demonstrated effective tissue harmonic IVUS imaging capabilities with the developed transducers.

Conclusions:

• The polarization inversion technique (PIT) is a viable method for designing IVUS transducers for THI.
• The developed FSIL and BSIL transducers show promise for advancing THI technology.
• PIT offers a practical solution to overcome challenges in creating specialized IVUS transducers for improved medical imaging.