A Dual-Mode Spherically Focused Theranostic Phased Array for CNS Application

Focused ultrasound (FUS) has emerged as a novel medical therapeutic tool for treating brain disorders. The use of spherical phased arrays for focusing enables the advantage of deflecting focused energy away from the geometric center, thereby allowing treatment over larger areas. Currently, passive acoustic mapping (PAM) is employed for treatment monitoring, utilizing two transducers: one for emitting focused energy and another for receiving energy signals to create images. However, effective utilization and sharing between these two transducers are challenging, making surgical interventions cumbersome for physicians. To address these issues, this study introduces a dual-mode spherical phased array capable of performing diagnostic ultrasound, therapeutic energy delivery, as well as reconstruct the focused beam profile. In order to simultaneously treat and diagnose energy distribution, the study employs backscattered angular spectrum methods to expedite energy distribution image generation, achieving real-time visualization of the acoustic field distribution. By comparing image presentation and actual data using acrylic materials and real ex vivo skull samples, the accuracy of image rendering is demonstrated. The time required for image rendering is reduced from 90 seconds to 0.87 ± 0.10 seconds using the angular spectrum method. Based on the aforementioned results, the methodology proposed in this paper provides significant benefits for the regulation of focal points in transcranial focused phased ultrasound arrays and offers energy imaging for focal monitoring.