PLATEAU

Within this project, next-generation, piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUT) leveraging the advanced piezoelectric thin film and microsystems technologies for medical imaging applications such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) are being developed.

Project objectives

The pMUT based on MEMS technology is expected to have advantages over the traditional ultrasonic transducer in terms of form factor, system integration, product quality and cost. However, there are some limitations or drawbacks for a typical pMUT, such as very limited bandwidth and poor coupling coefficient. Efforts will be dedicated to overcoming the current limitations and fulfilling the requirements of IVUS applications.

The main objectives include:

Design, microfabrication and characterization of pMUT cells and arrays for IVUS imaging catheters
Development of a proof-of-concept protype of pMUT-based IVUS imaging system in cooperation with the partners

This project will bring in a new image of both the medical ultrasound technology and inclusive healthcare standards. The medical ultrasound based on next-generation ultrasonic transducers has already improved overall performance and lowered product cost, which will make healthcare more inclusive for everyone and easily accessible to the public.

Project facts

Title: Phased pMUT array for intravascular ultrasound imaging

Program: SAL Cooperative Research (SCR)

Your contact person

Dr. Javad Abbaszadeh

Senior Scientist | Piezoelectric Microsystem Technologies

e-mail: contact@silicon-austria.com

Research program

PLATEAU is a research project in the framework of the program "PROGRAM 2: Electronic microsystems & nanosystems and beyond - CMOS process technologies".