Thermal Ablation and High-Resolution Imaging Using a Back-to-Back (BTB) Dual-Mode Ultrasonic Transducer: In Vivo Results

Hae Gyun Lim, Hyunhee Kim, Kyungmin Kim, Jeongwoo Park, Yeonggeun Kim, Jinhee Yoo, Dasom Heo, Jinhwan Baik, Sung-Min Park, Hyung Ham Kim
2021 Sensors  
We present a back-to-back (BTB) structured, dual-mode ultrasonic device that incorporates a single-element 5.3 MHz transducer for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment and a single-element 20.0 MHz transducer for high-resolution ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound image-guided surgical systems have been developed for lesion monitoring to ensure that ultrasonic treatment is correctly administered at the right locations. In this study, we developed a dual-element transducer composed of
more » ... elements that share the same housing but work independently with a BTB structure, enabling a mode change between therapy and imaging via 180-degree mechanical rotation. The optic fibers were embedded in the HIFU focal region of ex vivo chicken breasts and the temperature change was measured. Images were obtained in vivo mice before and after treatment and compared to identify the treated region. We successfully acquired B-mode and C-scan images that display the hyperechoic region indicating coagulation necrosis in the HIFU-treated volume up to a depth of 10 mm. The compact BTB dual-mode ultrasonic transducer may be used for subcutaneous thermal ablation and monitoring, minimally invasive surgery, and other clinical applications, all with ultrasound only.
doi:10.3390/s21051580 pmid:33668260 pmcid:PMC7956793 fatcat:ydsof6gafbgehm7yvqds4y6vry