Development of an Experimental Setup for Safety Assessments of New Ultrasound Imaging Modes

International audienceSince the 2000?s, several ultrasound imaging open platforms are available to the research community (Boni and al., 2018). They have allowed the development of new imaging techniques like synthetic aperture, ultrafast imaging (Tanter and al., 2014), elastography, vector flow imaging and 3D. To allow these new techniques to be tested on animal models, healthy volunteers and patients, it is necessary to prove that the whole platform (ultrasound scanner, probes and imaging sequences) is safe and complies with the safety regulations. We present here an adjustable home-made technical solution to answer these safety issues for a wide variety of probes, frequencies, hydrophones and ultrasound sequences. We have developed, on the CREATIS PILoT platform, a measurement bench around a 3-axis translation plate (Trioptics, France). The ultrasound probe to be tested is set above the tank and transmits ultrasonic waves into the water. The sound pressure is measured using a hydrophone whose displacement is software controlled following different acquisition patterns. Time and frequency signals are recorded using an oscilloscope (Lecroy Waverunner 44MXi-A) to calculate acoustical index based on norms IEC 60601- 2-37, IEC 61102 and IEC 61157. We present and discuss the different technological choices made for the development of our setup (hydrophone characteristics, methodology for probe alignment, etc?). We also compare our proposed low-cost and small form factor solution to some commercial solutions. Several examples of measurements illustrate the possibilities offered by the setup