A Dual-Mode 2D Matrix Array for Ultrasound Image-Guided Noninvasive Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Therapeutic Ultrasound

Background:

• Focused ultrasound (FUS) therapy development is limited by the lack of reliable real-time image guidance.
• Current methods often lack inherent registration between imaging and therapeutic coordinate systems, complicating precise targeting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a dual-mode ultrasound array for simultaneous 3D imaging and focused therapy.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of image-guided non-invasive therapeutic applications, specifically blood-brain barrier opening.

Main Methods:

• A 256-element, 1 MHz dual-mode 2D matrix array capable of 3D volumetric imaging and 3D focus control was designed and fabricated.
• The array was used for ultrasound imaging and transcranial blood-brain barrier opening in small animal models.
• A rat brain positioning method based on ultrasound imaging was developed and validated.

Main Results:

• The dual-mode array successfully provided 3D volumetric ultrasound imaging and 3D focus control.
• In vivo experiments demonstrated multi-functional capabilities, including precise rat brain positioning.
• Transcranial ultrasound image-guided, multi-target blood-brain barrier opening was achieved in vivo.

Conclusions:

• The developed dual-mode 2D matrix array offers a reliable, real-time imaging strategy for FUS therapy.
• This technology presents advantages such as low cost, portability, and inherent coordinate system registration.
• The array shows significant promise for practical, image-guided non-invasive therapeutic ultrasound applications.