In Vivo Characterization of Central Arterial Properties Using a Miniaturized pMUT Array Compared to a Clinical...

Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer (pMUT) technology shows promise for wearable ultrasound applications, although with limitations in acquisition performance compared to standard transducers. To translate Pulse Wave Imaging (PWI)-an ultrasound imaging technique that evaluates local arterial mechanics-into wearable applications, this study investigated the performance of integrating a miniaturized pMUT array into the PWI pipeline.

Nine (n = 9) carotid arteries were scanned with a miniaturized pMUT array and an L7-4 linear transducer. Metrics like pulse wave velocity at end-diastole (PWV_ED) and end-systole (PWV_ES), compliance (C_ED, C_ES), and carotid pulse pressure (PP_C) were compared between imaging arrays.

Lower SNR of axial wall velocities (SNR_vPWI) at end-diastole (L7-4: 47.9 ± 6.8 dB, pMUT: 43.3 ± 7.4 dB) and end-systole (L7-4: 45.4 ± 6.4 dB, pMUT: 38.1 ± 6.5 dB), and trends of higher coefficient of variation (CV) were found for PWI performed with the pMUT array compared to the L7-4. Bland-Altman analysis identified good agreement between the L7-4 and pMUT array for average PWV_ED (bias = -0.02 ± 0.42 m/s), PWV_ES (bias = -0.38 ± 1.3 m/s), C_ED (bias = 0.04 × 10^-9 ± 0.24 × 10^-9 m²/Pa), C_ES (bias = 0.11 × 10^-9 ± 0.38 × 10^-9 m²/Pa) and PP_C (bias = 1.06 ± 5.08 mmHg).

The findings revealed comparable performance between the miniaturized pMUT array and L7-4 for PWI, highlighting the versatility of the PWI technique.

This feasibility study illustrates the potential for translating PWI into wearable configurations, opening new avenues for cardiovascular health monitoring.