Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory tool that holds promise for various neuropsychiatric disorders. While it offers several distinct advantages, it also faces notable technical challenges. The irregular shape and inhomogeneous acoustic properties of the human skull impede efficient acoustic energy transmission through the skull. So far, clinical semi-spherical (hemispherical) arrays still suffer from strong wave reflection and refraction at the skull interface, especially with steering. We propose a flexible ultrasound array that conforms to individual skull shapes and can be optimized to target vertex-accessible subcortical regions. The impact of flexible array configuration was investigated by comparing the flexible array with a semi-spherical array commonly used in the clinical setting. Numerical results show that the random-patterned flexible array reduces the z-axis −6 dB full width at half maximum (FWHM) by 29.4% and enhances the focal peak pressure by 44.4% when compared to the semi-spherical array without steering. In addition, it achieves a wide steering range over a 30 × 20 mm2 region while maintaining the focusing performance. We expect that our proposed tFUS stimulation with a flexible array may provide a theoretical framework for improving the therapeutic efficiency for various neuropsychiatric conditions.
Source: npj Acoustics
Institutions: Duke University, North Carolina State University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
Funders: National Science Foundation, American Heart Association, Eli Lilly and Company, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Awards: CAREER: Mapping deep brain functions with super-resolution photoacoustic imaging, G2107305235, G2251352131, G2284106056, G2922183890, High-Throughput Volumetric Photoacoustic Imaging of Living Vascularized Organoids, G31913920, G332768376, Head-mounted Photoacoustic Imaging of Deep-brain Neural Activities in Freely Behaving Animals, G5799872395, G6671297155, G6693263171, Developing a 2-in-1 Wearable On-Demand Ultrasound Imaging & Stimulation System for Treating Post-Stroke Motor Impairment, G8002465213, DART.3-Revolutionizing Neuropsychiatric Treatment through Noninvasive, Programmable Cell-Type-Specific Neuropharmacology, High-resolution High-speed Photoacoustic and Ultrasound Imaging of SmallVessel Functions in Ischemic Stroke, G8960124320, 3D real-time super-resolution cavitation mapping in laser lithotripsy of urinary stone disease, Innovations in Shock Wave Lithotripsy Technology
OpenAlex ID: W7143468789