Massive and Novel Electrostrictive Row-Column Ultrasound Arrays and Electronics

Imagine a cell phone camera with only 32×32 (1024 or 1K) pixels. The image quality would be very poor. This is the current regime where 3D ultrasound imaging is at. Going to Mega-Pixel sensors would create a quantum jump
in 2D and 3D image quality. However, doing so is challenging since in ultrasound MHz range signals must be recorded from each element or pixel and many wires or signal channels are needed which is currently technically
infeasible. A 1000×1000 array would require 1 million channels which would cost nearly $1B and is not practical. To address this challenge, CliniSonix has a new aperture encodable row-column array and novel readout schemes
which require only row- and column addressing. Moreover, we have learned how to use such arrays to make images that outperform current technologies. Our approach will lead to arrays approaching Mega-Pixel sensors,
which will lead to unprecedented image clarity, resolution, and field of view. Moreover, our approach enables significant improvements in tracking subtle motions and should lead to ~50x improved bloodflow sensitivity
compared to current ultrasound technology. To achieve these objectives we will require new arrays and new electronics. MITACS interns will develop these new arrays and new electronics.

Faculty Supervisor:

Roger James Zemp

Student:

Partner:

CliniSonix Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Alberta

Program: