Acoustic power measurement of medical ultrasonic probes using a strain gauge technique.

A new method using a semiconductor strain guage is described for the measurement of the acoustic power output of ultrasonic medical therapy and other probe heads. The acoustic power output of the probe heads is found to be linearly related to the calibrated electrical output of the strain gauge transducer system, as expected theoretically. The instrument developed is inexpensive, portable and easy to operate for the routine measurement of ultrasonic output of the equipment in hospitals.