Advanced Detachable Acoustic Lens Enhances Ultrasound Imaging Precision

Researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science have introduced a groundbreaking detachable acoustic lens designed to improve the accuracy and resolution of ultrasound imaging systems. This innovative lens allows for easy focal length adjustments, akin to swapping lenses on a camera, enabling more precise imaging tailored to specific diagnostic or industrial needs. The lens’s aspheric shape significantly reduces optical aberrations, resulting in clearer, higher-resolution images. When attached to standard low-resolution ultrasound transducers, the lens elevates their performance to approach that of dedicated focused transducers, achieving fine structural visualization down to 25 micrometers.

This technology addresses a common limitation in ultrasound diagnostics—fixed focal lengths of transducers which restrict flexibility and escalate costs due to multiple device requirements. The adjustable, foldable design makes it possible to optimize image resolution without replacing the entire transducer, thus offering a cost-effective and versatile solution. The research demonstrated the system’s ability to produce high-resolution images in phantom models, with potential applications extending beyond medical imaging to industrial nondestructive testing.

Developed by the Acoustics, Ultrasound and Vibration Metrology Group at KRISS, this lens technology enhances the capabilities of C-scan ultrasound systems, crucial for detailed internal structure analysis. The team's work is published in w measurement science and technology and aims to expand the use of adaptive lens technology across various ultrasound-based applications in healthcare and industry.