Use of focused ultrasonic receivers for remote measurements in biological tissues

The feasibility of using a focusing ultrasonic transducer as a sound pressure receiver is discussed. It is shown theoretically that, at certain angular apertures of the receiver, its output signal is proportional to the sound pressure in the field point coincident with the receiver center of curvature. The receivers of this type have been demonstrated suitable for remote measurements of field spatial distribution of plane and focused ultrasonic radiators. Data are presented on the experimental testing of focused receivers in measuring acoustic fields in water, air, and certain samples of biological tissues. The instruments are sufficiently universal and allow the measurement not only of acoustic fields, but also of temperature increments in locally heated media, as well as permit one to follow the initiation and development of ultrasonic cavitation and study nonlinear effects. The remote sensing ability and high sensitivity of focused ultrasonic receivers allow their practical use in biomedical acoustics for noninvasive measurements.