An ultrasensitive and broadband transparent ultrasound transducer for ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging in-vivo

Transparent ultrasound transducers (TUTs) can seamlessly integrate optical and ultrasound components, but acoustic impedance mismatch prohibits existing TUTs from being practical substitutes for conventional opaque ultrasound transducers. Here, we propose a transparent adhesive based on a silicon dioxide-epoxy composite to fabricate matching and backing layers with acoustic impedances of 7.5 and 4–6 MRayl, respectively. By employing these layers, we develop an ultrasensitive, broadband TUT with 63% bandwidth at a single resonance frequency and high optical transparency (>80%), comparable to conventional opaque ultrasound transducers. Our TUT maximises both acoustic power and transfer efficiency with maximal spectrum flatness while minimising ringdowns. This enables high contrast and high-definition dual-modal ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging in live animals and humans. Both modalities reach an imaging depth of >15 mm, with depth-to-resolution ratios exceeding 500 and 370, respectively. This development sets a new standard for TUTs, advancing the possibilities of sensor fusion.

Seonghee Cho, Minsu Kim, Joongho Ahn, Yeonggeun Kim, Junha Lim, Jeongwoo Park, Hyung Ham Kim, Won Jong Kim, Chulhong Kim