Conformal Ultrasound Imaging System

A conformal ultrasound imaging system has been developed that may potentially provide improved acoustic signal acquisition by wrapping around objects with increased angular coverage. The system features a conformal ultrasound transducer array, with bulk ceramic PZT elements mounted on etched silicon islands connected by patterned flexible polyimide joints, customized portable transmit/receive electronics, and backward propagation based image reconstruction techniques. The system was used to image a cylindrical tissue phantom, demonstrating successful operation and the feasibility of the conformal ultrasound approach.

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