Stretchable ultrasonic transducer arrays for three-dimensional imaging on complex surfaces.

ABSTRACT: Ultrasonic imaging has been implemented as a powerful tool for noninvasive subsurface inspections of both structural and biological media. Current ultrasound probes are rigid and bulky and cannot readily image through nonplanar three-dimensional (3D) surfaces. However, imaging through these complicated surfaces is vital because stress concentrations at geometrical discontinuities render these surfaces highly prone to defects. This study reports a stretchable ultrasound probe that can conform to and detect nonplanar complex surfaces. The probe consists of a 10 × 10 array of piezoelectric transducers that exploit an "island-bridge" layout with multilayer electrodes, encapsulated by thin and compliant silicone elastomers. The stretchable probe shows excellent electromechanical coupling, minim

SUBMITTER: Hu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5938227 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature