Optimized Design of a Driver Circuit for an Ultrasound Transducer for Medical Applications

Abstract

This paper presents an auto-tuning-based driver for ultrasonic transducers aiming at cancer treatment through high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The purpose of the proposed circuit is to offer higher energy conversion efficiency at the frequency of 1MHz. In addition, the proposed circuit is not only fully compatible with MRI equipment used to locate the cancerous tumor and monitor the temperature increase but also compatible with CMOS technology. The latter gives rise to the potential of the circuit to be integrated on chip. A PCB test circuit was designed with CMOS-based/compatible components. The experimental results performed on the implemented PCB card have confirmed the theoretical expectation. RÉSUMÉ :Cet article pré sente un circuit de pilotage basé sur l'auto-accord pour les transducteurs à ultrasons visant le traitement des cancers par ultrasons focalisé s à haute intensité (HIFU). Le but du circuit proposé est d'offrir une efficacité de conversion d'é nergie plus é levé e à la fré quence de 1 MHz. De plus, le circuit proposé est non seulement entiè rement compatible avec l'é quipement IRM utilisé pour localiser la tumeur cancé reuse et surveiller l'augmentation de tempé rature, mais é galement compatible avec la technologie CMOS. Cette derniè re donne naissance au potentiel d'inté gration du circuit sur puce. Un circuit de test PCB a é té conç u avec des composants CMOS / compatibles. Les ré sultats expé rimentaux ré alisé s sur la carte PCB implé menté e ont confirmé l'attente thé orique.

CMOS design of a capacitively isolated AC switch driver for auto-turning frequency

“…This frequency auto-tuning technique can be designed fully compatible with integrated circuit (IC) technology [3]. Experimental results performed on a PCB circuit confirmed the expected functionality [6]. However, towards an entire implementation of the driver circuit in ICs, many design challenges are still ahead to be overcome.…”

“…In this context, different approaches have been proposed in the literature in order to benefit from the technological advances for new HIFU system design [3][4][5][6][7]. One of them is using a Class-D power amplifier for its high-power conversion efficiency (>90% in theory) followed by a LC tank filter with an auto-resonance-frequency tuning (auto-tuning, for short) centered at the fundamental component in order to optimize the power transmission to each transducer.…”