Zhang Zhiqiang, Liu Rong, Li Guofeng, Su Min, Li Fei, Zheng Hairong, Qiu Weibao
IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2021 Dec;68(12):3482-3490. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2021.3073951. Epub 2021 Nov 19.
Focused ultrasound (FUS) lacks reliable real-time image guidance, which hinders the development of non-invasive ultrasound treatment in many important clinical applications. A dual-mode ultrasound array, capable of both imaging and therapy offers a new and reliable strategy for image-guided ultrasound therapy applications. The strategy has the advantages of real-time use, low cost, portability and inherent registration between imaging and therapeutic coordinate systems. In this work, a dual-mode two-dimensional (2D) matrix array with 1 MHz center frequency and 256 elements for ultrasound image-guided non-invasive therapy is reported. The array can provide three-dimensional (3D) volumetric ultrasound imaging and 3D focus control. Ultrasound imaging and therapeutic applications for the brain of small animals demonstrated the multi-functional capability of the dual-mode 2D matrix array. A method of rat brain positioning based on ultrasound imaging was proposed and verified. Transcranial ultrasound image-guided blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening of multiple-targets was achieved in vivo, using the proposed dual-mode 2D array. The obtained results indicate that the dual-mode 2D matrix array is a promising method for practical use in ultrasound image-guided non-invasive therapy applications.
聚焦超声（FUS）缺乏可靠的实时图像引导，这在许多重要的临床应用中阻碍了无创超声治疗的发展。一种既能成像又能治疗的双模超声阵列，为图像引导超声治疗应用提供了一种新的可靠策略。该策略具有实时使用、成本低、便携以及成像和治疗坐标系之间固有配准等优点。在这项工作中，报道了一种用于超声图像引导无创治疗的中心频率为1MHz、具有256个元件的双模二维（2D）矩阵阵列。该阵列可提供三维（3D）容积超声成像和3D焦点控制。对小动物脑部的超声成像和治疗应用证明了双模2D矩阵阵列的多功能能力。提出并验证了一种基于超声成像的大鼠脑部定位方法。使用所提出的双模2D阵列在体内实现了经颅超声图像引导的多靶点血脑屏障（BBB）开放。所得结果表明，双模2D矩阵阵列是一种在超声图像引导无创治疗应用中具有实际应用前景的方法。
