Ultrasonic transducers based on curved lead-free piezoelectric thick films for high resolution medical imaging

International audienceKNN-based lead free ferroelectric materials are receiving much attention due to their high electromechanical properties that make them promising candidates to replace the lead-based piezoceramics that will eventually be banned by environmental regulations in many countries over the world. Studies include the development of KNN thick films that are particularly well adapted for high frequency applications due to higher wave velocities and a dielectric constant in an acceptable range for single element transducers. Here, a KNN based thick film is deposited on a curved substrate by pad-printing in order to be used in a focused high frequency transducer. This substrate is a porous lead-free KNN cylinder specifically developed to exhibit the required acoustical properties of a backing (acoustical impedance, high attenuation) and is compatible with the high sintering temperature of the KNN thick film. Electromechanical properties of the piezoelectric thick film in thickness mode were deduced (kt over 35%). This structure was used to fabricate a transducer which was characterized (relative bandwidth over 90%). Finally this transducer was integrated in a high frequency imaging system and its performance allowed skin images to be produced. To conclude, the replacement of lead-based high frequency transducers by green devices is a viable option

Non-Planar Pad-Printed Think-Film Focused High-Frequency Ultrasonic Transducers for Imaging and Therapeutic Applications

Pad-printed thick-film transducers have been shown to be an interesting alternative to lapped bulk piezoceramics, because the film is deposited with the required thickness, size, and geometry, thus avoiding any subsequent machining to achieve geometrical focusing. Their electromechanical properties are close to those of bulk ceramics with similar composition despite having a higher porosity. In this paper, padprinted high-frequency transducers based on a low-loss piezoceramic composition are designed and fabricated. High-porosity ceramic cylinders with a spherical top surface are used as the backing substrate. The transducers are characterized in view of imaging applications and their imaging capabilities are evaluated with phantoms containing spherical inclusions and in different biological tissues. In addition, the transducers are evaluated for their capability to produce high-acoustic intensities at frequencies around 20 MHz. High-intensity measurements, obtained with a calibrated hydrophone, show that transducer performance is promising for applications that would require the same device to be used for imaging and for therapy. Nevertheless, the transducer design can be improved, and simulation studies are performed to find a better compromise between low-power and high-power performance. The size, geometry, and constitutive materials of optimized configurations are proposed and their feasibility is discussed

Non-Planar Pad-Printed Thick-Film Focused High-Frequency Ultrasonic Transducers for Imaging and Therapeutic Applications

International audiencePad-printed thick-film transducers have been shown to be an interesting alternative to lapped bulk piezoceramics, because the film is deposited with the required thickness, size, and geometry, thus avoiding any subsequent machining to achieve geometrical focusing. Their electromechanical properties are close to those of bulk ceramics with similar composition despite having a higher porosity. In this paper, pad-printed high-frequency transducers based on a low-loss piezoceramic composition are designed and fabricated. High-porosity ceramic cylinders with a spherical top surface are used as the backing substrate. The transducers are characterized in view of imaging applications and their imaging capabilities are evaluated with phantoms containing spherical inclusions and in different biological tissues. In addition, the transducers are evaluated for their capability to produce high-acoustic intensities at frequencies around 20 MHz. High-intensity measurements, obtained with a calibrated hydrophone, show that transducer performance is promising for applications that would require the same device to be used for imaging and for therapy. Nevertheless, the transducer design can be improved, and simulation studies are performed to find a better compromise between low-power and high-power performance. The size, geometry, and constitutive materials of optimized configurations are proposed and their feasibility is discussed