High Resolution Sound Probe for Cancer Imaging

Project: Ultrasonic High Resolution Sound Probe

Description: An ultrasound imaging technology that improves resolution by up to 5x. The probe uses metamaterial properties of a phononic lens to concentrate sound along a narrow region. The lens collimates and funnels sound to a beam width of 1.5 of the fundamental wavelength

Applications: More accurate ultrasonic imaging, cancer screening through at greater tissue depths, greater capabilities for early tumor detection

Process: Designed probe using periodic structure expertise, FEM software for modeling, search algorithm for large data sifting for collimation features, fabricated structure using CNC machining, tested probe using sound field mapping, bistatic through transmission measurements, and tissue phantom imaging of organic objects at 0.5 MHz

 

Status: Validation of high resolution capabilities in tissue phantoms achieved (~3mm resolution in tissue at 0.5MHz), ongoing studies of lens in tissue phantoms. Scaling to higher frequencies for commercial compatibility. Peer-reviewed publication.