Performance assessment Of CMUTs in dual modality imaging/HIFU applications

In this paper, multi-element arrays based on cMUT and piezoelectric technologies, using the same geometry, have been realized. The first part of the paper is focused on comparing both in terms of imaging performances. The CMUT is shown to be lower in sensivity but better in terms of bandwidth and resolution. The second part of the paper investigates the ability of the CMUT array for HIFU applications. The dual imaging-HIFU capability of the cMUT array is demonstrated. This is a new feature of the CMUT technology, as piezoelectric transducers are designed with a trade-off between bandwidth and transduction efficiency.