Enhanced ultrasonic focusing and temperature elevation via a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer with sub-wavelength periodic structure

摘要

In this paper, we report a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer with a sub-wavelength periodic structure, by which ultrasonic focusing and temperature elevation have been significantly enhanced compared to a conventional concave transducer with the same size. Enhanced acoustic focusing was demonstrated by both measuring and simulating acoustic pressure and temperature elevation. Compared to the conventional concave transducer, the proposed transducer exhibited stronger capacity in elevating acoustic pressure and temperature rise in the focal region, in which extraordinary acoustic transmission close to Wood's anomaly could be modulated by the spherically curved surface. This work is believed to possess great clinical potential in the safe and efficient application of ultrasonic therapy.