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Sensor system for use with low intensity pulsed ultrasound

Andreas Diermeier (TÜV Süd Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany)
Dirk Sindersberger (Mechatronics Research Unit, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany)
Peter Angele (Unfallchirurgie, Universitatsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany)
Richard Kujat (Unfallchirurgie, Universitatsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany)
Gareth John Monkman (Mechatronics Research Unit, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany)

Sensor Review

ISSN: 0260-2288

Article publication date: 6 September 2019

Issue publication date: 5 November 2019

132

Abstract

Purpose

Ultrasound is a well-established technology in medical science, though many of the conventional measurement systems (hydrophones and radiation force balances [RFBs]) often lack accuracy and tend to be expensive. This is a significant problem where sensors must be considered to be “disposable” because they inevitably come into contact with biological fluids and expense increases dramatically in cases where a large number of sensors in array form are required. This is inevitably the case where ultrasound is to be used for the in vitro growth stimulation of a large plurality of biological samples in tissue engineering. Traditionally only a single excitation frequency is used (typically 1.5 MHz), but future research demands a larger choice of wavelengths for which a single broadband measurement transducer is desirable. Furthermore, because of implementation conditions there can also be large discrepancies between measurements. The purpose of this paper deals with a very cost-effective alternative to expensive RFBs and hydrophones.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilization of cost-effective piezoelectric elements as broadband sensors.

Findings

Very effective results with equivalent (if not better) accuracy than expensive alternatives.

Originality/value

This paper concentrates on how very cost-effective piezoelectric ultrasound transducers can be implemented as sensors for ultrasound power measurements with accuracy as good, if not better than those achievable using radiation force balances or hydrophones.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their thanks to the OTH-Regensburg for preliminary funding under the TWO scheme. Further thanks are due to the mechanical and electrical workshops of both the OTH and the University Regensburg for assistance in building the required apparatus for this research.

Citation

Diermeier, A., Sindersberger, D., Angele, P., Kujat, R. and Monkman, G.J. (2019), "Sensor system for use with low intensity pulsed ultrasound", Sensor Review, Vol. 39 No. 6, pp. 828-834. https://doi.org/10.1108/SR-11-2018-0304

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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