Interleaved Array Transducer with Polarization Inversion Technique to Implement Ultrasound Tissue Harmonic Imaging

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Ultrasound Tissue Harmonic Imaging (THI) requires array transducers with broad bandwidths.
• Developing broad bandwidth transducers is challenging due to piezoelectric material resonance limitations.
• Existing transducers struggle to efficiently cover both fundamental (f0) and second harmonic (2f0) frequencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an improved interleaved array transducer design for THI.
• To introduce a dedicated fabrication scheme for the proposed transducer.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of achieving broad bandwidths for THI applications.

Main Methods:

• Designed a novel interleaved array transducer structure.
• Incorporated conventional elements (f0) and polarization-inverted elements (2f0) alternately.
• Utilized identical piezoelectric element thicknesses and validated through finite element analysis (FEA) and prototype experiments.

Main Results:

• The proposed transducer efficiently transmits f0 and receives 2f0 ultrasound frequencies.
• Achieved a 90% broad bandwidth, significantly enhancing transducer performance.
• FEA simulations and experimental results confirmed the design's effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The improved interleaved array transducer is suitable for THI.
• This technique offers a viable method for implementing high-resolution THI.
• The novel structure overcomes previous bandwidth limitations in piezoelectric transducers.