Singapore Institute of Technology
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Non-Newtonian fluid coupling media for wearable ultrasound imaging systems using rigid linear sensor array

Version 2 2024-07-19, 01:52
Version 1 2024-07-19, 01:24
journal contribution
posted on 2024-07-19, 01:52 authored by Pisharody Harikrishnan Gopalakrishnan, Mahesh Raveendranatha PanickerMahesh Raveendranatha Panicker

Wearable ultrasound systems are surpassing traditional boundaries for continuous and real-time patient care and diagnostics. However, these systems have limitations due to the use of conventional coupling media with a high dehydration rate for long-term use, leading image quality to deteriorate over time. Additionally, the use of conventional acoustic gel with ultrasound probes on wearable mounts around curved human surfaces leads to imperfect probe edge contact. In this paper, we propose a Non-Newtonian-Fluid based acoustic gel coupler with high structural stability and a very low dehydration rate for wearable ultrasound systems that overcomes the above limitations. The proposed acoustic coupler exhibited enhanced imaging with a 35 % increase in lateral resolution on curved surfaces and material parameters with a low dehydration rate of 32 % and a 3.5 % increase in density, over a frequency range of 4.60 MHz to 10.60 MHz. In addition, the measurements revealed a reduced acoustic attenuation of 0.328 dB/cm/MHz with a speed of sound of 1595 m/s. Thus, integrating Non-Newtonian-based acoustic gel with these improved parameters will make wearable ultrasound systems more appropriate for consistent and continuous use on irregular and curved surfaces.

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Journal/Conference/Book title

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

Publication date

2024-06-17

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  • Published

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