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An Ultrasound Matrix Transducer for High-Frame-Rate 3-D Intra-cardiac Echocardiography

Simoes dos Santos, D. (author), Ossenkoppele, B.W. (author), Hopf, Y.M. (author), Soozande, Mehdi (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author)

Objective: Described here is the development of an ultrasound matrix transducer prototype for high-frame-rate 3-D intra-cardiac echocardiography. Methods: The matrix array consists of 16 × 18 lead zirconate titanate elements with a pitch of 160 µm × 160 µm built on top of an application-specific integrated circuit that generates transmission...

journal article 2024

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Automatic Max-Likelihood Envelope Detection Algorithm for Quantitative High-Frame-Rate Ultrasound for Neonatal Brain Monitoring

Kortenbout, A.J. (author), Costerus, Sophie (author), Dudink, Jeroen (author), de Jong, N. (author), de Graaff, Jurgen C. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author)

Objective: Post-operative brain injury in neonates may result from disturbed cerebral perfusion, but accurate peri-operative monitoring is lacking. High-frame-rate (HFR) cerebral ultrasound could visualize and quantify flow in all detectable vessels using spectral Doppler; however, automated quantification in small vessels is challenging...

journal article 2024

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Acoustic streaming-based calibration of ultrasound transducers

Simoes dos Santos, D. (author), Baldini, L.B. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author), van Neer, P.L.M.J. (author)

The accurate determination of the transfer function of ultrasound transducers is important for their design and operational performance. However, conventional methods for quantifying the transfer function, such as hydrophone measurements, radiation force balance, and pulse-echo measurements, are costly and complex due to specialized equipment...

journal article 2024

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A Pitch-Matched High-Frame-Rate Ultrasound Imaging ASIC for Catheter-Based 3-D Probes

Hopf, Y.M. (author), Simoes dos Santos, D. (author), Ossenkoppele, Boudewine W. (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Chang, Z.Y. (author), Chen, Chao (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author)

This article presents an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for catheter-based 3-D ultrasound imaging probes. The pitch-matched design implements a comprehensive architecture with high-voltage (HV) transmitters, analog front ends, hybrid beamforming analog-To-digital converters (ADCs), and data transmission to the imaging system....

journal article 2024

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Higher Order Singular Value Decomposition Filter for Contrast Echocardiography

Wahyulaksana, G. (author), Wei, Luxi (author), Voorneveld, J.D. (author), Hekkert, Maaike Te Lintel (author), Strachinaru, Mihai (author), Duncker, Dirk J. (author), de Jong, N. (author), van der Steen, A.F.W. (author), Vos, H.J. (author)

Assessing the coronary circulation with contrast-enhanced echocardiography has high clinical relevance. However, it is not being routinely performed in clinical practice because the current clinical tools generally cannot provide adequate image quality. The contrast agent's visibility in the myocardium is generally poor, impaired by motion...

journal article 2023

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High-Frame-Rate Volumetric Porcine Renal Vasculature Imaging

Wei, Luxi (author), Wahyulaksana, G. (author), Boni, Enrico (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Duncker, Dirk J. (author), Tortoli, Piero (author), van der Steen, A.F.W. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), Vos, H.J. (author)

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and imaging options of contrast-enhanced volumetric ultrasound kidney vasculature imaging in a porcine model using a prototype sparse spiral array. Methods: Transcutaneous freehand in vivo imaging of two healthy porcine kidneys was performed according to three protocols with...

journal article 2023

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Continuous shear wave measurements for dynamic cardiac stiffness evaluation in pigs

Caenen, Annette (author), Keijzer, Lana (author), Bézy, Stéphanie (author), Duchenne, Jürgen (author), Orlowska, Marta (author), van der Steen, A.F.W. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author), Voigt, Jens Uwe (author), D’hooge, Jan (author), Vos, H.J. (author)

Ultrasound-based shear wave elastography is a promising technique to non-invasively assess the dynamic stiffness variations of the heart. The technique is based on tracking the propagation of acoustically induced shear waves in the myocardium of which the propagation speed is linked to tissue stiffness. This measurement is repeated multiple...

journal article 2023

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A 1.2-mW/Channel Pitch-Matched Transceiver ASIC Employing a Boxcar-Integration-Based RX Micro-Beamformer for High-Resolution 3-D Ultrasound Imaging

Guo, P. (author), Fool, F. (author), Chang, Z.Y. (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author)

This article presents a low-power and small-area transceiver application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for 3-D trans-fontanelle ultrasonography. A novel micro-beamforming receiver architecture that employs current-mode summation and boxcar integration is used to realize delay-and-sum on an N -element sub-array using N× fewer capacitive...

journal article 2023

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A Pitch-Matched Transceiver ASIC With Shared Hybrid Beamforming ADC for High-Frame-Rate 3-D Intracardiac Echocardiography

Hopf, Y.M. (author), Ossenkoppele, Boudewine W. (author), Soozande, Mehdi (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Chang, Z.Y. (author), Chen, Chao (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author)

In this article, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for 3-D, high-frame-rate ultrasound imaging probes is presented. The design is the first to combine element-level, high-voltage (HV) transmitters and analog front-ends, subarray beamforming, and in-probe digitization in a scalable fashion for catheter-based probes. The...

journal article 2022

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A Pitch-Matched Low-Noise Analog Front-End With Accurate Continuous Time-Gain Compensation for High-Density Ultrasound Transducer Arrays

Guo, P. (author), Chang, Z.Y. (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author)

This article presents a compact analog front-end (AFE) circuit for ultrasound receivers with linear-in-dB continuous gain control for time-gain compensation (TGC). The AFE consists of two variable-gain stages, both of which employ a novel complementary current-steering network (CCSN) as the interpolator to realize continuously variable gain....

journal article 2022

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A Compact Integrated High-Voltage Pulser Insensitive to Supply Transients for 3-D Miniature Ultrasound Probes

Hopf, Y.M. (author), Ossenkoppele, B.W. (author), Soozande, M. (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Chang, Z.Y. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author)

In this letter, a compact high-voltage (HV) transmit circuit for dense 2-D transducer arrays used in 3-D ultrasonic imaging systems is presented. Stringent area requirements are addressed by a unipolar pulser with embedded transmit/receive switch. Combined with a capacitive HV level shifter, it forms the ultrasonic HV...

journal article 2022

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Sparse 2-D PZT-on-PCB Arrays With Density Tapering

Wei, Luxi (author), Boni, Enrico (author), Ramalli, Alessandro (author), Fool, F. (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), van der Steen, A.F.W. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), Tortoli, Piero (author), de Jong, N. (author), Vos, H.J. (author)

Two-dimensional (2-D) arrays offer volumetric imaging capabilities without the need for probe translation or rotation. A sparse array with elements seeded in a tapering spiral pattern enables one-to-one connection to an ultrasound machine, thus allowing flexible transmission and reception strategies. To test the concept of sparse spiral array...

journal article 2022

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Imaging Scheme for 3-D High-Frame-Rate Intracardiac Echography: A Simulation Study

Soozande, Mehdi (author), Ossenkoppele, B.W. (author), Hopf, Y.M. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is normally treated by RF ablation. Intracardiac echography (ICE) is widely employed during RF ablation procedures to guide the electrophysiologist in navigating the ablation catheter, although only 2-D probes are currently clinically used. A 3-D ICE catheter would not only...

journal article 2022

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A spatial and temporal characterisation of single proton acoustic waves in proton beam cancer therapy

Deurvorst, F.R. (author), Collado Lara, G. (author), Matalliotakis, A. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Daeichin, V. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author)

An in vivo range verification technology for proton beam cancer therapy, preferably in real-time and with submillimeter resolution, is desired to reduce the present uncertainty in dose localization. Acoustical imaging technologies exploiting possible local interactions between protons and microbubbles or nanodroplets might be an interesting...

journal article 2022

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Independent Component Analysis Filter for Small Vessel Contrast Imaging During Fast Tissue Motion

Wahyulaksana, G. (author), Wei, Luxi (author), Schoormans, Jasper (author), Voorneveld, J.D. (author), van der Steen, A.F.W. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Vos, H.J. (author)

Suppressing tissue clutter is an essential step in blood flow estimation and visualization, even when using ultrasound contrast agents. Blind source separation (BSS)-based clutter filter for high-framerate ultrasound imaging has been reported to perform better in tissue clutter suppression than the conventional frequency-based wall filter and...

journal article 2022

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A Tiled Ultrasound Matrix Transducer for Volumetric Imaging of the Carotid Artery

Simoes dos Santos, D. (author), Fool, F. (author), Mozaffarzadeh, M. (author), Shabanimotlagh, M. (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Kim, T. (author), Rozsa, N.N.M. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author), Pertijs, M.A.P. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author)

High frame rate three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging would offer excellent possibilities for the accurate assessment of carotid artery diseases. This calls for a matrix transducer with a large aperture and a vast number of elements. Such a matrix transducer should be interfaced with an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for...

journal article 2022

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Acoustic Modulation Enables Proton Detection with Nanodroplets at Body Temperature

Heymans, Sophie V. (author), Collado Lara, G. (author), Rovituso, M. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), D'hooge, Jan (author), de Jong, N. (author), Van Den Abeele, Koen (author)

Superheated nanodroplet (ND) vaporization by proton radiation was recently demonstrated, opening the door to ultrasound-based in vivo proton range verification. However, at body temperature and physiological pressures, perfluorobutane nanodroplets (PFB-NDs), which offer a good compromise between stability and radiation sensitivity, are not...

journal article 2022

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Optimization of Microbubble Concentration and Acoustic Pressure for Left Ventricular High Frame Rate EchoPIV in Patients

Voorneveld, J.D. (author), Keijzer, L.B.H. (author), Strachinaru, Mihai (author), Bowen, Daniel J. (author), Mutluer, Ferit O. (author), van der Steen, A.F.W. (author), Ten Cate, Folkert (author), de Jong, N. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), Van den Bosch, Annemien E. (author), Bosch, Johan G. (author)

High-frame-rate (HFR) echo-particle image velocimetry (echoPIV) is a promising tool for measuring intracardiac blood flow dynamics. In this study, we investigate the optimal ultrasound contrast agent (UCA: SonoVue) infusion rate and acoustic output to use for HFR echoPIV (PRF = 4900 Hz) in the left ventricle (LV) of patients. Three infusion...

journal article 2021

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High Frame Rate Volumetric Imaging of Microbubbles Using a Sparse Array and Spatial Coherence Beamforming

Wei, Luxi (author), Wahyulaksana, G. (author), Meijlink, Bram (author), Ramalli, Alessandro (author), Noothout, E.C. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), van der Steen, A.F.W. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Vos, H.J. (author)

Volumetric ultrasound imaging of blood flow with microbubbles enables a more complete visualization of the microvasculature. Sparse arrays are ideal candidates to perform volumetric imaging at reduced manufacturing complexity and cable count. However, due to the small number of transducer elements, sparse arrays often come with high clutter...

journal article 2021

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Combining ultrafast ultrasound and high-density EMG to assess local electromechanical muscle dynamics: a feasibility study

Waasdorp, R. (author), Mugge, W. (author), Vos, H.J. (author), De Groot, Jurriaan H. (author), Verweij, M.D. (author), de Jong, N. (author), Schouten, A.C. (author), Daeichin, V. (author)

Skeletal muscles generate force, enabling movement through a series of fast electro-mechanical activations coordinated by the central nervous system. Understanding the underlying mechanism of such fast muscle dynamics is essential in neuromuscular diagnostics, rehabilitation medicine and sports biomechanics. The unique combination of...

journal article 2021