Lateral mode coupling to reduce the electrical impedance of small elements required for high power ultrasound therapy phased arrays

摘要

A method that uses lateral coupling to reduce the electrical impedance of small transducer elements in generating ultrasound waves was tested. Cylindrical, radially-polled transducer elements were driven at their length resonance frequency. Computer simulation and experimental studies showed that the electrical impedance of the transducer element could be controlled by the cylinder wall thickness, while the operation frequency was determined by the cylinder length. Acoustic intensity (averaged over the cylinder diameter) over 10 W/cm² (a therapeutically relevant intensity) was measured from these elements.