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Two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array for shear wave elastography in deep tissues: a preliminary study

Research on Biomedical Engineering volume 36, pages 277–289 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

This paper investigates the use of shear wave elastography (SWE) in deep tissues with a two-dimensional (2D) transducer array.

Methods

A 130-element 800-kHz 2D array for SWE in regions deeper than 100 mm is designed, fabricated, and characterized. SWE simulations are performed with the proposed 2D array in a tissue-like medium.

Results

The pressure field of the proposed transducer was recorded and utilized to simulate the generation of acoustic radiation force in deep tissues. The elasticity map of the tissue was successfully reconstructed by tracking the speed of shear wave propagation at 120 mm depth.

Conclusion

This study suggests that a 2D transducer with proper parameters may provide a means for extending the depth range of SWE.

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Funding

This work was supported by Capes under Grant No. 1710132 and by Fapesp under Grant No. 2014/24790-3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Djalma Simões dos Santos, Fernando Mitsuyama Cardoso & Sérgio Shiguemi Furuie

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  1. Djalma Simões dos Santos
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  2. Fernando Mitsuyama Cardoso
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  3. Sérgio Shiguemi Furuie
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Correspondence to Djalma Simões dos Santos.

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dos Santos, D.S., Cardoso, F.M. & Furuie, S.S. Two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array for shear wave elastography in deep tissues: a preliminary study. Res. Biomed. Eng. 36, 277–289 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42600-020-00068-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42600-020-00068-6

Keywords

  • Shear wave elastography (SWE)
  • Acoustic radiation force (ARF)
  • Two-dimensional (2D) array
  • Ultrasonic transducer
  • Deep tissue