A novel strategy to increase heating efficiency in a split-focus ultrasound phased array

Focus splitting using sector-based phased arrays increases the necrosed volume in a single sonication and reduces the total treatment time in the treatment of large tumors. However, split-focus sonication results in a lower energy density and worse focal-beam distortion, which limits its usefulness in practical treatments. Here, we propose a new heating strategy involving consecutive strongly focused and split-focus sonications to improve the heating efficiency. Theoretical predictions including linear and thermal-dose-dependent attenuation change were employed to investigate potential factors of this strategy, and ex vivo tissue experiments were conducted to confirm its effectiveness. Results showed that the thermal lesions produced by the proposed strategy could be increased when comparing with the previous reported strategies. The proposed heating strategy also induces a thermal lesion more rapidly, and exhibits higher robustness to various blood perfusion conditions, higher robustness to various power/heating time combinations, and superiority to generate deep-seated lesions through tissues with complex interfaces. Possible mechanisms include the optimization of the thermal conduction created by the strongly focused sonication and the temperature buildup gained from thermally induced tissue attenuation change based on the theoretical analysis. This may represent a useful technique for increasing the applicability of split-focus and multiple-focus sonication techniques, and solve the obstacles encountered when attempting to use these methods to shorten the total clinical treatment time.     

Simulation of a programmable pulser for phased array transducers

We propose circuits for the implementation of a programmable pulser for phase array transducers. These provide digital control of pulse timing and firing, plus the possibility of manual setting of exciting pulse nature (simple or double), width and amplitude. Matching to the probe is thus optimized while programming enables adaptation to various types of transducers.     

High‐resolution MRI of uveal melanoma using a microcoil phased array at 7 T

High‐field MRI is a promising technique for the characterisation of ocular tumours, both in vivo and after enucleation. For in vivo imaging at 7 T, a dedicated three‐element microcoil array was constructed as a high‐sensitivity receive‐only device. Using a dedicated blink/fixation protocol, high‐resolution in vivo images could be acquired within 3 min in volunteers and patients with no requirement for post‐acquisition image registration. Quantitative measures of axial length, aqueous depth and lens thickness in a healthy volunteer were found to agree well with standard ocular biometric techniques. In a patient with uveal melanoma, in vivo MRI gave excellent tumour/aqueous body contrast. Ex vivo imaging of the enucleated eye showed significant heterogeneity within the tumour. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Human papillomavirus genotyping using a modified linear array detection protocol

A standardized PCR-based linear array genotyping assay has been developed (Roche Molecular Systems) allowing the concurrent typing of 37 human papillomavirus (HPV) types. A component of this assay, the PCR amplicon detection protocol, requires the use of a shaking water-bath incubator for amplicon/probe hybridization and subsequent stringent washing, which many laboratories may find cumbersome or simply not possess. In this study, the utility of a dry-air incubator in substitution of the recommended shaking water-bath for use in this assay was confirmed. DNA was extracted by AmpliLute method from 150 PreservCyt specimens collected from patients undergoing ablation treatment for histologically confirmed cervical abnormality. The DNA was amplified by PCR and amplicons detected by both standard and modified protocols, varying only by the method of incubation for DNA hybridization and stringent washing. Identical HPV-type profiles were generated in 149/150 (99.3%) of the specimens tested by both protocols, representing a near perfect level of concordance (kappa = 0.98). It was proposed that this modification would markedly simplify the detection process, reduce setup time and eliminate the potential for water spillover, thereby allowing more laboratories to adopt this method subsequent to in-house validation.     

Treatment time reduction for large thermal lesions by using a multiple 1D ultrasound phased array system

To generate large thermal lesions in ultrasound thermal therapy, cooling intermissions are usually introduced during the treatment to prevent near-field heating, which leads to a long treatment time. A possible strategy to shorten the total treatment time is to eliminate the cooling intermissions. In this study, the two methods, power optimization and acoustic window enlargement, for reducing power accumulation in the near field are combined to investigate the feasibility of continuously heating a large target region (maximally 3.2 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm3). A multiple 1D ultrasound phased array system generates the foci to scan the target region. Simulations show that the target region can be successfully heated without cooling and no near-field heating occurs. Moreover, due to the fact that there is no cooling time during the heating sessions, the total treatment time is significantly reduced to only several minutes, compared to the existing several hours.     

Experimental characterization of the miniannular phased array as a hyperthermia applicator

A series of experiments has been carried out in order to characterize a miniannular phased array applicator prior to possible clinical implementation. The energy deposition patterns over the frequency range of 100 to 200 MHz were determined in several human limb models of different complexities by measuring the electric field strength patterns. The point of maximum energy deposition within a homogeneous, muscle-equivalent cylindrical phantom positioned coaxially within the MAPA was found to be at the center of the applicator. The energy deposition patterns seem to be more uniform at the lower frequencies. Inclusion of a cylindrical bone-equivalent phantom positioned coaxially with this muscle-equivalent phantom does not seem to significantly alter the energy deposition patterns in the muscle-equivalent region. For more realistically shaped, homogeneous muscle-equivalent limb models, the resulting energy deposition patterns appear to be confined mostly to the intended treatment region. However, the point of maximum energy deposition was not at the middle of the applicator as with the cylindrical model, but shifted towards a smaller cross-sectional region. This shift in location of the point of maximum energy deposition varies with the location of the MAPA on the limb. A secondary region of high-field strength was also observed at the ankle for a MAPA centered about the knee. In this study, the energy deposition patterns appear to be significantly dependent on the shape of the model. Therefore, this factor must be taken into consideration for the proper prediction and control of the heating patterns resulting from the use of this type of applicator for clinical hyperthermia treatment.     

High-field head radiofrequency volume coils using transverse electromagnetic (TEM) and phased array technologies

This article describes technological advances in quadrature transverse electromagnetic (TEM) volume coils and phased arrays reported recently from our laboratory developed for MRI and MRS imaging of the human brain. The first part of this work presents a new method for tuning TEM volume coils based on measurements of the radiofrequency current distribution in the coil elements. This technique facilitates bench adjustment of the coils' homogeneity and is particularly important for tuning double-tuned TEM volume coils. We have also used this method to optimize other TEM configurations such as a quadrature TEM half-volume coil and a split TEM coil. TEM half-volume coils provide greater sensitivity over localized regions than conventional full-volume coils, and the split TEM coil provides greater patient access and ease of use. The second part of this work describes the development of single-tuned and double-tuned transmit TEM volume coils in combination with phased arrays. A variety of different techniques for active detuning of single-tuned and double-tuned TEM volume coils are presented along with the development of phased arrays and transmission line preamplifier decoupling. The final section describes the use of counter rotating current (CRC) surface coils in phased arrays. Because of the intrinsic isolation of CRC coils from transmit volume coils, CRC arrays can be used simultaneously with volume coils for both reception and transmission. Near the center of the human head where both the phased array and the volume coil produce similar sensitivities, simultaneous reception enhances the signal-to-noise ratio. Conversely, simultaneous transmission can be used to boost the transmit field in peripheral brain regions from the volume coil to provide a more homogeneous transmit field.     

The Aberdeen phased array: a real-time ultrasonic scanner with dynamic focus

A real-time ultrasonic scanner is described; it incorporates an electronic swept focusing process such that the image is optimally focused over a wide range of depths simultaneously. The scanner can be used to observe moving organs such as the heart, and internal detail is displayed on a grey scale image.     

Thermal therapy for breast tumors by using a cylindrical ultrasound phased array with multifocus pattern scanning: a preliminary numerical study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using a 1 MHz cylindrical ultrasound phased array with multifocus pattern scanning to produce uniform heating for breast tumor thermal therapy. The breast was submerged in water and surrounded by the cylindrical ultrasound phased array. A multifocus pattern was generated and electrically scanned by the phased array to enlarge the treatment lesion in single heating. To prevent overheating normal tissues, a large planning target volume (PTV) would be divided into several planes with several subunits on each plane and sequentially treated with a cooling phase between two successive heatings of the subunit. Heating results for different target temperatures (T(tgt)), blood perfusion rates and sizes of the PTV have been studied. Furthermore, a superficial breast tumor with different water temperatures was also studied. Results indicated that a higher target temperature would produce a slightly larger thermal lesion, and a higher blood perfusion rate would not affect the heating lesion size but increase the heating time significantly. The acoustic power deposition and temperature elevations in ribs can be minimized by orienting the acoustic beam from the ultrasound phased array approximately parallel to the ribs. In addition, a large acoustic window on the convex-shaped breast surface for the proposed ultrasound phased array and the cooling effect of water would prevent the skin overheating for the production of a lesion at any desired location. This study demonstrated that the proposed cylindrical ultrasound phased array can provide effective heating for breast tumor thermal therapy without overheating the skin and ribs within a reasonable treatment time.     

Design and construction of an esophageal phased array probe

The clinical urge for echocardiographic data from patients with inadequate image quality at the precordial examination has initiated the development of transesophageal scanning techniques. The orientation of heart structures with respect to the transducer position in the esophagus, the absence of interfering structures in the soundbeam and the constraints imposed by the anatomy of the esophagus result in a different set of parameters for the optimization of the transducer and its assembly. In this article, the design and construction of a miniaturized 5 MHz phased array transducer optimized for transesophageal scanning is described. Relevant parameters and their influence on the design will be discussed, such as: bandwidth, sensitivity, resolution (in three dimensions), focal depth and the production method.     

Human pegivirus detected in a patient with severe encephalitis using a metagenomic pan-virus array

We have used a metagenomic microarray to detect genomic RNA from human pegivirus in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from a patient suffering from severe encephalitis. No other pathogen was detected. HPgV in cerebrospinal fluid during encephalitis has never been reported before and its prevalence in cerebrospinal fluid needs further investigation.     

Investigation of a large-area phased array for focused ultrasound surgery through the skull

Non-invasive treatment of brain disorders using ultrasound would require a transducer array that can propagate ultrasound through the skull and still produce sufficient acoustic pressure at a specific location within the brain. Additionally, the array must not cause excessive heating near the skull or in other regions of the brain. A hemisphere-shaped transducer is proposed which disperses the ultrasound over a large region of the skull. The large surface area covered allows maximum ultrasound gain while minimizing undesired heating. To test the feasibility of the transducer two virtual arrays are simulated by superposition of multiple measurements from an 11-element and a 40-element spherically concave test array. Each array is focused through an ex vivo human skull at four separate locations around the skull surface. The resultant ultrasound field is calculated by combining measurements taken with a polyvinylidene difluoride needle hydrophone providing the fields from a 44-element and a 160-element virtual array covering 88% and 33% of a hemisphere respectively. Measurements are repeated after the phase of each array element is adjusted to maximize the constructive interference at the transducer's geometric focus. An investigation of mechanical and electronic beam steering through the skull is also performed with the 160-element virtual array, phasing it such that the focus of the transducer is located 14 mm from the geometric centre. Results indicate the feasibility of focusing and beam steering through the skull using an array spread over a large surface area. Further, it is demonstrated that beam steering through the skull is plausible.     

One-dimensional phased array with mechanical motion for conformal ultrasound hyperthermia

This paper investigates the feasibility of conformal heating for external ultrasound hyperthermia by using a phased array transducer with mechanical motion. In this system, a one-dimensional phased array is arranged on a shaft and moves along the shaft, while dynamically focusing on the planning target volume (PTV) with numerous focal spots. To prevent overheating in the intervening tissue between the skin and the PTV, the shaft and the phased array are rotated together to enlarge the acoustical window. With the purpose of conformal heating, the power deposition of the PTV is constructed by combinations of the focal spots and an iterative gradient descent method is then used to determine an optimal set of power weightings for the focal spots. Different tumour shapes are evaluated and the simulation results demonstrate that the volume percentage of the PTV with temperatures higher than 43 degrees C is over 95%. The overheating volume outside the PTV is less than 25% of the PTV. This method provides good conformal heating for external ultrasound hyperthermia. The concept of combining electrical focusing and mechanical motion has the advantages of both enlarging the acoustic window and providing dynamic focusing ability, which is essential for successful conformal heating.     

An orthogonal-based decoupling method for MRI phased array coil design

A new 2 T 3‐element orthogonal knee coil array based on the three‐dimensional orthogonality principle was designed, constructed and used in a series of pilot magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on a standardized phantom, and human and pig knees. The coil elements within this new coil array are positioned orthogonal to one another allowing problematic mutual coupling effects to be minimized without the use of any passive mutual decoupling schemes. The proposed method is appropriate for the design of transmit, receive and/or transceive radiofrequency (RF) coil arrays for applications in animal/human MRI and spectroscopic studies. Experimental results demonstrated that the 3‐element orthogonal knee coil array could be angled arbitrarily, including at 90°, relative to the main static magnetic field (B₀) whilst maintaining normal operation with minimal loss of efficiency and functionality. Initial trials with a pig knee specimen further showed that the greatest signal intensity in the patellar ligament (parallel collagen fibres) was observed when the orthogonal knee coil array and the pig knee specimen were angled at ~55° to B₀, which may have potential uses in magic angle MR applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrasound cylindrical phased array for transoesophageal thermal therapy: initial studies

This work was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of constructing a cylindrical phased array composed of 64 elements spread around the periphery (OD 10.6 mm) for transoesophageal ultrasound thermotherapy. The underlying operating principle of this applicator is to rotate a plane ultrasound beam electronically. For this purpose, eight adjacent transducers were successively excited with appropriate delay times so as to generate a plane wave. The exposure direction was changed by exciting a different set of eight elements. For these feasibility studies, we used a cylindrical prototype (OD 10.6 mm) composed of 16 elementary transducers distributed over a quarter of the cylinder, all operating at 4.55 MHz. The active part was mechanically reinforced by a rigid damper structure behind the transducers. It was shown that an ultrasound field similar to that emitted by a plane transducer could be generated. Ex vivo experiments on pig's liver demonstrated that the ultrasound beam could be accurately rotated to generate sector-based lesions to a suitable depth (up to 19 mm). Throughout these experiments, exposures lasting 20 s were delivered at an acoustic intensity of 17 W cm(-2). By varying the power from exposure to exposure, the depth of the lesion at different angles could be controlled.     

An RF phased array applicator designed for hyperthermia breast cancer treatments

An RF phased array applicator has been constructed for hyperthermia treatments in the intact breast. This RF phased array consists of four antennas mounted on a Lexan water tank, and geometric focusing is employed so that each antenna points in the direction of the intended target. The operating frequency for this phased array is 140 MHz. The RF array has been characterized both by electric field measurements in a water tank and by electric field simulations using the finite-element method. The finite-element simulations are performed with HFSS software, where the mesh defined for finite-element calculations includes the geometry of the tank enclosure and four end-loaded dipole antennas. The material properties of the water tank enclosure and the antennas are also included in each simulation. The results of the finite-element simulations are compared to the measured values for this configuration, and the results, which include the effects of amplitude shading and phase shifting, show that the electric field predicted by finite-element simulations is similar to the measured field. Simulations also show that the contributions from standing waves are significant, which is consistent with measurement results. Simulated electric field and bio-heat transfer results are also computed within a simple 3D breast model. Temperature simulations show that, although peak temperatures are generated outside the simulated tumour target, this RF phased array applicator is an effective device for regional hyperthermia in the intact breast.     

The feasibility of MRI-guided whole prostate ablation with a linear aperiodic intracavitary ultrasound phased array

Over the past decade, numerous minimally invasive thermal procedures have been investigated to treat benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Of these methods, ultrasound has shown considerable promise due to its ability to produce more precise and deeper thermal foci. In this study, a linear, transrectal ultrasound phased array capable of ablating large tissue volumes was fabricated and evaluated. The device was designed to be compatible for use with MRI guidance and thermometry. The intracavitary applicator increases treatable tissue volume by using an ultrasonic motor to provide a mechanical rotation angle of up to 100 degrees to a 62-element 1D ultrasound array. An aperiodic array geometry was used to reduce grating lobes. In addition, a specially designed Kapton interconnect was used to reduce cable crosstalk and hence also improve the acoustic efficiency of the array. MRI-guided in vivo and ex vivo experiments were performed to verify the array's large-volume ablative capabilities. Ex vivo bovine experiments were performed to assess the focusing range of the applicator. The array generated foci in a 3 cm (2 to 5 cm from the array surface along the axis normal to the array) by 5.5 cm (along the long axis of the array) by 6 cm (along the transverse axis of the array at a depth of 4 cm) volume. In vivo rabbit thigh experiments were performed to evaluate the lesion producing capabilities in perfused tissue. The array generated 3 cm x 2 cm x 2 cm lesions with 8 to 12 half-minute sonications equally spaced in the volume. The results indicate that transrectal ultrasound coagulation of the whole prostate is feasible with the developed device.     

基于正则化的磁共振相控阵线圈图像均匀性校正算法

由于能提供更大的扫描视野,更高的信噪比和缩短扫描时间,相控阵线圈已经被广泛使用在磁共振成像(MRI)设备中。相控阵线圈的图像重建合成最常用的是SOS算法,但是SOS算法通常会造成图像的灰度不均匀。这样不仅会直接影响医生诊断的准确性,同时对图像自动分割等后处理技术的使用也会产生不良影响。本文提出一种改进的基于正则化的最小二乘化方法,用于MRI相控阵图像的合成。在该方法中利用均匀的大体线圈和相控阵线圈进行预扫描获得线圈敏感图,通过引入正则函数来控制重建图像的噪声。此外,在正则函数中还使用大体线圈的预扫描图像作为参考图像。使用水模和志愿者成像数据验证,该方法能够有效提高相控阵线圈重建图像的均匀性。