Characterizing a Biaxial Driven Ring FUS Transducer for Applications in Electrophysiology

In this project, researchers from the NeuroFUS lab at the University of Calgary led by Dr. Pichardo and Dr. N’Djin’s group from LabTAU at INSERM and the University of Lyon collaborate to improve focused ultrasound (FUS) technology by characterizing a new ring-shaped transducer. FUS is a flexible technique that targets deep tissue with sound waves to cause ablation to treat conditions such as essential tremors and tumours or, through microbubbling enhance the permeability of the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery, to name a few applications. The prototype to be characterized is a single-element transducer whose unique geometric properties through a novel driving method promise more accurate ultrasound focusing, as seen in simulations. The study of the novel driving method being applied is a primary research area in the NeuroFUS lab at the University of Calgary. Completing such a transducer with a small focal area furthers LabTAU’s study of neuromodulatory effects with FUS in a microscopy setting. Dr. Pichardo will benefit from expanding the number of applications of the new ultrasound technology being developed in Calgary. Dr. N’Djin will benefit from a unique new type of ultrasound actuator that will significantly increase his capabilities to perform FUS-induced neuromodulation experiments.

Faculty Supervisor:

Samuel Pichardo

Student:

Partner:

Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Biotechnology; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

University of Calgary

Program: