Three-Dimensional Printed Piezoelectric Array for Improving Acoustic Field and Spatial Resolution in Medical Ultrasonic Imaging.

Zeyu Chen,Runze Li,Qiangguo Jiang,Xuejun Qian,Rongji Huang,Xuan Song,Yong Chen,Kirk Shung,Yang Yang,Qifa Zhou

doi:10.3390/mi10030170

Abstract

Piezoelectric arrays are widely used in non-destructive detecting, medical imaging and therapy. However, limited by traditional manufacturing methods, the array’s element is usually designed in simple geometry such as a cube or rectangle, restricting potential applications of the array. This work demonstrates an annular piezoelectric array consisting of different concentric elements printed by Mask-Image-Projection-based Stereolithography (MIP-SL) technology. The printed array displays stable piezoelectric and dielectric properties. Compared to a traditional single element transducer, the ultrasonic transducer with printed array successfully modifies the acoustic beam and significantly improves spatial resolution.

Highlights

With exceptional piezoelectric, dielectric, and electronics properties, piezoelectric materials have been the focus of significant interest in the botch industry and academic fields
Piezoelectric ceramic with high piezoelectric constant and electromechanical coupling coefficient can effectively convert electrical signals into mechanical vibrations and vise versa, which results in obvious advantages in drug delivery, particle manipulation, ultrasonic imaging, and therapy [4,5,6,7]
Using Mask-Image-Projection-based Stereolithography, photocurable resin and nano ceramic particles can be 3D-printed into arbitrarily shaped arrays

Summary

Introduction

Dielectric, and electronics properties, piezoelectric materials have been the focus of significant interest in the botch industry and academic fields. The wide applications ranging from signal sensor and energy harvesting devices to electromechanical actuator [1,2,3] Among this material, piezoelectric ceramic with high piezoelectric constant and electromechanical coupling coefficient can effectively convert electrical signals into mechanical vibrations and vise versa, which results in obvious advantages in drug delivery, particle manipulation, ultrasonic imaging, and therapy [4,5,6,7]. A piezoelectric array with complex geometry is challenging using traditional manufacturing methods such as dicing and etching [9,10]. In this regard, digital, additive, and automatic printing technologies offer a promising approach

Methods

Results

Conclusion