Academic literature on the topic 'Innovative ultrasound probes'

The article describes the progress of construction and research works on ultrasound tomography. The devices allow for non-invasive measurements of various objects using ultrasonic low and high-frequency transducers. The first constructions were made in a dispersed system with active measurement probes using 40 kHz converters. The next constructions were centralized into one measurement system where the measurement probes were connected separately. As a result, the measuring range of the supported ultrasonic transducers with 300 kHz, 400 kHz and 1 MHz has been extended. Apart from transmission and reflection tomography, the latest designs allow for controlling the ultrasound beam (beamforming) and support transducers up to 5 MHz.

The application of nondestructive testing to the aerospace sector is constantly improving, as fast as technology allows, due to increasing presence of composites in structures, the use of new materials and the new geometries emerging. This makes necessary to innovate in the development of NDT methods, like ultrasonics or thermography, and in particular in ultrasounds, from using conventional piezoelectric transducers to phased-array technology, that allows the generation of the sound beam easily controlled and configurable based on the use of a multi-elements matrix of probes that can be electronically trigger. Moreover, the application of popular UT techniques (pulse-echo and through transmission) has been extended to other new innovative techniques, such as laser ultrasonic and air coupled ultrasounds. Tecnatom participates in different innovation project in NDT and develops new equipment for inspection of composite materials. One of the studies is in the comparison of different NDT methods and techniques for the inspection of cured and non-cured materials in aeronautical components with the help of air-coupled ultrasound and thermography. In the article are described the use of robots in automated Tecnatom system, developed in cooperation with KUKA Robotics. The use of its own developed electronics, allow working efficiently with materials with high attenuation, and specialized software, allows effectively inspecting the complex geometries aviation parts, taking into account the scanning trajectory and robot movement and control all the inspection process.

Introduction Rapid and reliable peripheral IV access is essential for many patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) to ensure administration of life-saving medications, and successful intravenous cannulation can significantly affect patient care. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a continuous needle tracking system on the accuracy, speed, and quality of ultrasound-guided peripheral venous catheter insertions. Methods A convenient sample study based on the study setting using simulated tissue was conducted with 49 US-based ED nurses to compare the insertion of a midline catheter using traditional ultrasound guidance versus an advanced needle-tracking technology along with ultrasound guidance. The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the impact of continuous needle tracking system. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants involved in this study. All participants were made aware that the results may be published. There was no IRB approval for this study. All sources were properly disclosed within the text. Results The addition of the advanced needle-tracking technology significantly reduced total insertion attempts, insertion time, backwall penetrations, and redirects (probes to hit the target vein), while improving image clarity and confidence for participants. Conclusion The innovative needle-tracking system evaluated in this pilot study has the potential to improve emergent difficult vascular access. EDs should assess the value of this technology to potentially improve the management of difficult intravenous access patients in their settings.

Modern trends in catering are focused on various aspects including gastronomic trends, which are the most obvious to users of services. One of the most interesting contemporary trend in gastronomy is molecular gastronomy. This modern trend in the restaurant, which is very complex and insufficiently known to the general public due to the fact that it is a relatively new direction in the preparation of food in the restaurants. In such circumstances, there are numerous disagreements between scientists and chefs, and especially the disputed term is "molecular" that points to some microscopic size. Molecular gastronomy is a direction that involves the preparation of food in a new specific way, which is significantly different from the traditional one. It is often defined as a kind of application of science in practice, while some chefs consider it to be a style of cooking. The specificity of this type of gastronomy is the equipment used in the preparation of food such as rotary evaporators, sintered glass, filters, ultrasonic probes. It is not an equipment typical of classic kitchens, but equipment that is primarily found in scientific laboratories. In addition, the preparation of food in molecular gastronomy involves the use of specific ingredients that are typical of the food industry. Such ingredients are: calcium lactate, sodium alginate, flavors, ascorbic acid, phenols extracted from grape juice, etc. In addition to equipment and ingredients that characterize molecular cuisine, food preparation techniques are also specific. These techniques are based on controlling the cooking temperature, the use of liquid nitrogen and ultrasound, sperring and other specific features that are not used in traditional food preparation. Cooking temperature control is very important and depends on it on the structure, color and mechanical properties of food, where for each type of food the optimal cooking temperature is precisely determined. Very popular is the use of liquid nitrogen, which allows quick icing of food without creating large ice crystals, which is most often used for grinding plants and preparing ice cream. However, when using liquid nitrogen in the kitchen it should be very careful because of the potential hazards to the cook and the guests if it comes into contact with the eyes or in the disabling tract. In addition, molecular gastronomy also uses ultrasound that can be used to control viscosity. A good side of the use of ultrasound is that its use avoids the use of additives and chemicals, and such treatment does not lead to significant chemical changes in food. The classification is used to form a liquid into small edible beads in calcium-alginate capsules that resemble caviar. All of the mentioned specific molecular cuisines require specific innovative cooking skills, so such a kitchen can not be applied to any restaurant, but is typical for exclusive and well-equipped restaurants. Molecular gastronomy as a new trend in food preparation is most represented by European restaurants, but it is increasingly popular in other parts of the world.

Current developments in medical technology have focused on therapeutic treatments that selectively and effectively address specific pathological areas, minimizing side effects on healthy tissues. In this regard, many procedures have been developed to provide non-invasive therapy, for example therapeutic ultrasound (US). In the medical field, in particular in cancer research, it has been observed how ultrasounds can cause cell death and inhibit cell proliferation of cancer cells, while preserving healthy ones with almost negligible side effects. Various studies have shown that low intensity pulse ultrasound (LIPUS) and low intensity continuous ultrasound (LICUS) regulate the proliferation, cell differentiation and cavitation phenomena. Nowadays, there are poorly known aspects of low intensity US treatment, in terms of biophysical and biomechanical effects on target cells. The aim of this study is to set up an innovative apparatus for US treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, monitoring parameters such as acoustic intensity, acoustic pressure, stimulation frequency and treatment protocol. To this purpose, we have developed a custom-made set up for the US stimulation at 1.2 and 3 MHz of tridimensional (3D) cultures of PDAC cells (PANC-1, Mia Paca-2 and BxPc3 cells). Images of the 3D cultures were acquired, and the Calcein/PI assay was applied to detect US-induced cell death. Overall, the setup we have presented paves the way to an innovative protocol for tumor treatment. The system can be used either alone or in combination with small molecules or recombinant antibodies in order to propose a novel combined therapeutic approach.

Ultrasound (US) is a promising technology, which can be used to improve the efficacy of the processes in food technology and the quality of final product. US technique is used, e.g., to support mass and heat transfer processes, such as osmotic dehydration, drying and freezing, as well as extraction, crystallization, emulsification, filtration, etc. Osmotic dehydration (OD) is a well-known process applied in food processing; however, improvements are required due to the long duration of the process. Therefore, many recent studies focus on the development of OD combined with sonication as a pretreatment method and support during the OD process. The article describes the mechanism of the OD process as well as those of US and changes in microstructure caused by sonication. Furthermore, it focuses on current applications of US in fruits and vegetables OD processes, comparison of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration to sonication treatment and synergic effect of US and other innovative technics/treatments in OD (such as innovative osmotic solutions, blanching, pulsed electric field, reduced pressure and edible coatings). Additionally, the physical and functional properties of tissue subjected to ultrasound pretreatment before OD as well as ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration are described.

AbstractSonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a newly developed anticancer treatment where ultrasound is used to trigger the cytotoxic effect of chemical compounds, known as sonosensitizers. Although SDT is similar to photodynamic therapy (PDT), SDT activates the chemical compounds through energy transfer using ultrasound rather than light. Moreover, SDT can focus the ultrasound energy onto malignant sites situa\xadted deeply within tissues, thus overcoming the main drawback linked to the use of PDT. Several physical and chemical mechanisms underlying ultrasound bioeffects and anticancer SDT take advantage of the non-thermal effect of acoustic cavitation generated by selected pulsed or continuous ultrasound. As the physical-chemical structure of the sonosentizer is essential for the success of SDT, we believe that the different aspects related to nanotechnology in medicine might well be able to improve the triggering effect ultrasound has on sonosensitizing agents. Therefore, the aim of this review is to focus on how nanotechnology might improve this innovative anticancer therapeutic approach.

Olive Sound is the acronym of a Horizon 2020 European Project aimed at the development of a high-flow oil extraction plant, the Sono-Heat-Exchanger, which combines ultrasound and heat exchange in order to break, through a radical innovation model in the oil mill, the historical paradigm that sees as inversely correlated the oil yield and the content of bio-phenols. These compounds are biologically active molecules that transform the product, extra virgin olive oil, from a mere condiment into a functional food. The primary objective of the project, financially supported by the European Union through the “Fast Track to Innovation” program, is the development of a product “ready for the market” (TRL 9) capable of making the involved companies more competitive while increasing the competitiveness of European extra virgin olive oil in the international context.

Valorization of agri-food residues to produce bio-based platform chemicals will enhance the transition to the bio-economy era. To this end, a sustainable process has been developed for the overall valorization of grape stalks (GS) according to a circular approach, starting from the lignin fraction to further deal with the cellulose-rich residue. This non-conventional protocol fully adheres to green chemistry principles, exploiting the so-called enabling technologies—mainly ultrasound and microwaves—for energy-saving innovative processes. Firstly, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE, 40 kHz, 200 W) demonstrated to be an excellent technique for GS delignification combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs). Delignification enables isolation of the pertinent lignin framework and the potential to obtain a polyphenol-rich liquid fraction, focusing on the valorization of GS as source of bioactive compounds (BACs). Among the NaDESs employed, the combination of choline chloride (ChCl) and levulinic acid (LevA) (ChLevA) presented noteworthy results, enabling a delignification higher than 70%. LevA is one of the top-value biobased platform chemicals. In this work, a flash microwave (MW)-assisted process was subsequently applied to the cellulose-rich fraction remained after delignification, yielding 85% LevA. The regeneration of this starting compound to produce ChLevA can lead to a further biomass delignification cycle, thus developing a new cascade protocol for a full valorization of GS.

The purpose of this study was to gain an insight into the manner in which several extraction processes (both classical as well as innovative) affected bioactive compound yield, and subsequently to assess several of their biological activities. Red clover extracts were obtained using maceration, Soxhlet extraction, turbo-extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and a combination of the last two. The resulting extracts were analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid content. The extracts presenting the best results were subjected to a phytochemical assessment by way of HPLC-MS analysis. After a final sorting based on the phytochemical profiles of the extracts, the samples were assessed for their antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and oxidative stress reduction potential, using animal inflammation models. The Soxhlet extraction yielded the most satisfactory results both qualitatively and quantitatively. The ultrasound-assisted extraction offered comparable yields. The extracts showed a high potential against gram-negative bacteria and induced a modest antioxidant effect on the experimental inflammation model in Wistar rats.

I sistemi di imaging ad ultrasuoni (US), sebbene siano stati oggetto di intense indagini da parte di molti gruppi di ricerca in tutto il mondo, non hanno ancora raggiunto la piena maturità. Le sonde ad ultrasuoni, in particolare, hanno ampi margini di miglioramento, non solo in termini di materiali e configurazione degli elementi, ma anche di modalità di eccitazione. Il mio lavoro di dottorato è stato impegnato nello sviluppo di circuiti elettronici e metodi per l'imaging ad ultrasuoni basati su sonde innovative. In primo luogo, ho sviluppato i circuiti elettronici necessari per rendere compatibile un sistema di ricerca a ultrasuoni per scopi di ricerca (ULA-OP 256) con le sonde CMUT. La tecnologia CMUT è sempre più utilizzata perché offre ampia banda, elevata sensibilità e grande flessibilità nella progettazione della geometria degli elementi ma, a differenza della tecnologia piezoelettrica, necessita di alte tensioni di polarizzazione (dell’ordine delle centinaia di Volt). Poiché ULA-OP 256 è stato originariamente progettato per funzionare solo con sonde piezoelettriche, ho contribuito allo sviluppo di circuiti in grado di adattare questo scanner aperto per lavorare anche con sonde CMUT. Inoltre, in collaborazione con ST Microelectronics, ho sviluppato una scheda elettronica che permette di testare un nuovo amplificatore di potenza a nove livelli per la trasmissione di segnali sia alle sonde piezoelettriche che alle sonde CMUT. La seconda parte del mio lavoro è stata dedicata allo studio del possibile utilizzo di sonde ad array "sparse" per ecografie 3D Doppler e ad alto frame rate. Le sonde sparse sono array 2D in cui un numero limitato di elementi, paragonabile al numero di canali presenti nella maggior parte degli scanner ad ultrasuoni, è distribuito secondo specifiche geometrie, progettate per ottimizzare il fascio acustico in trasmissione e ricezione. CMUT è la tecnologia ideale per l'implementazione di sonde sparse array, in quanto garantisce la massima flessibilità nella distribuzione degli elementi in posizioni arbitrarie. Il mio lavoro con gli Sparse Array ha incluso prima di tutto lo studio di possibili limitazioni legate al loro utilizzo quando sono usati per trasmettere onde divergenti (DWs). Si tratta di onde non focalizzate che permettono di aumentare notevolmente il frame rate nell'imaging volumetrico (3D). In questa attività, ho fatto simulazioni ed esperimenti nel laboratorio CREATIS (Lione) per confrontare le prestazioni ottenibili in termini di contrasto e risoluzione quando si utilizzano diverse configurazioni di DW e di elementi sparsi. Infine, una parte consistente del mio dottorato di ricerca è stata focalizzata sulla valutazione dell'uso di array sparse in applicazioni Doppler spettrali. L'intenzione di questo studio era di valutare in che misura la dispersione degli elementi sulla superficie della sonda può influenzare le prestazioni del Doppler spettrale. Per raggiungere questo obiettivo, l'uso di un array 2D a 1024 elementi a griglia completa è stato confrontato con l'uso di array sparse ottenuti selezionando opportunamente 256 elementi sulla stessa matrice completa. Gli esperimenti sono stati sviluppati sia su un disco di agar rotante (dove sono raggiungibili alti SNR) che su un phantom di flusso (per testare una condizione più realistica) al CREATIS. I risultati di questo lavoro confermano quantitativamente l'idoneità degli array sparse per misure di velocità Doppler spettrali, a condizione che la perdita di rapporto segnale/rumore dovuto all'utilizzo di meno elementi attivi sia adeguatamente compensata. Ultrasound (US) imaging systems, although intensively investigated by many research groups worldwide, have not achieved full maturity yet. US probes, in particular, have wide margins of improvement, not only in terms of materials and elements configuration but also of excitation modalities. This PhD work has been committed to the development of electronic circuits and methods for US imaging based on innovative ultrasound probes. First, I’ve developed the electronic circuits necessary to make an open ultrasound research system (ULA-OP 256) compatible with CMUT probes. CMUT technology is increasingly used because it offers wide band, high sensitivity and great flexibility in the design of elements geometry but, differently from the piezoelectric technology, needs high polarization and peak-to-peak voltages (hundreds of Volt). Since ULA-OP 256 was originally designed to work only with piezoelectric probes, I contributed to the development of circuits capable of adapting this open scanner to work also with CMUT array probes. Furthermore, within a collaboration with ST Microelectronics, I’ve developed an electronic board that allows to test a new 9-level power amplifier for the transmission of signals to both piezoelectric and CMUT probes. The second part of my work has been dedicated to the investigation of possible use of “sparse” array probes for 3D high-frame rate and Doppler imaging. Sparse probes are 2D arrays in which a limited number of elements, comparable to the number of channels present in most US scanners, is distributed according to specific geometries, designed to optimize the transmit/receive acoustic beam. CMUT is the ideal technology for implementing sparse array probes, since it guarantees maximum flexibility in distributing the elements into arbitrary positions. My work with sparse arrays has first included the investigation of possible limitations related to their use when they are committed to transmit Diverging Waves (DWs). These are unfocused waves that may notably increase the frame rate in volumetric (3D) imaging. In this activity, I’ve done simulations and experiments at CREATIS (Lyon) to compare the achievable performance in terms of contrast and resolution when different DWs and sparse elements configurations are used. Finally, a consistent part of my PhD has been focused on the evaluation of the use of sparse arrays in spectral Doppler applications. The intention of this study was to evaluate at which extent the sparsification of probe elements may affect the spectral Doppler performance. To achieve this goal, the use of a full-gridded 1024-element 2D array was compared with the use of a sparse arrays obtained by properly selecting 256 elements out of the same full array. The experiments were developed on both a rotating agar disc (where high SNR are achievable) and on a flow phantom (to test a more realistic condition) at CREATIS. The results of this work quantitatively confirm the suitability of sparse arrays for spectral Doppler velocity measurements, provided the poor signal-to-noise ratio due to the use of few active elements is properly compensated.

In this chapter, the authors evaluate several basic image processing and advanced image pattern recognition techniques for automatically analyzing bioimages, with the aim of designing different ensembles of canonical and deep classifiers for breast lesion classification in ultrasound images. The analysis starts from convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in a square matrix that is used to feed other CNNs. The novel ensemble, named TakhisisNet, is the combination by sum rule of the whole set of the modified CNNs and the original one. Moreover, the performance of the system is further improved by combining it with some handcrafted features. Experimental results obtained on the well-known OASBUD breast cancer dataset (i.e., the open access series of breast ultrasonic data) and on a large set of bioimage classification problems show that TakhisisNet obtains very valuable results and outperforms other approaches previously tested in the same datasets.

Fresh fruits and vegetables provide essential nutrition to the diet, and it is critical to maintain product quality and nutrition from harvest through to the consumer. Fresh fruit and vegetables are still ‘alive’ even after detached from the plants and continue to respire. Besides, the climacteric fruits ripen after harvest. Therefore, it is important to manage the ripening process and prevent decay to reduce postharvest losses. In addition, foodborne illnesses are a major public health concern, and postharvest practices to improve food safety are essential. While traditional postharvest technologies such as synthetic chemicals have been effective at controlling postharvest decay and maintaining fruit quality during storage, there is an urgent need to develop alternative ‘green technologies’ to maintain product quality through to the consumer. Many new innovative green postharvest technologies are being developed to delay ripening, reduce pathogenic microorganisms, maintain freshness, and improve nutrition. This chapter discusses some new innovative green postharvest technologies such as the application of edible coatings and films, light emitting diode (LED), ultrasound, UVC irradiation, and plasma technology, which have been shown to reduce postharvest losses and improve the nutritional quality of fresh produce.

It is well established in the scientific community that agro-food wastes represent economic advantages and contribute to circular economy. For instance, wine industries of Região Demarcada do Douro involve the production of large quantities of by-products, such as stem, pomace, trimmed vine shoots, or wine lees, presenting a remarkable valuable composition in phytochemicals with putative health-promoting qualities. Nevertheless, the bioactive compounds obtained from these natural sources depends on the extraction process employed. In order to reduce production costs and optimize processes, new technologies—such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)—have been employed to decrease energy consumption and increase the product or process safety/control and quality. This work aims to characterize the phenolic compounds extracted from winery by-products (WBPs), namely grape stems, grape pomace, and wine lees of two grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties (Sousão and Tinta Barroca) from the same geographical site, as well as the antioxidant capacity. Wine lees and grape stems presented the highest concentration of phenolic compounds and the highest antioxidant capacity for Tinta Barroca variety, while grape pomace presented the highest values of these parameters for Sousão variety, demonstrating the high influence of the variety studied. Furthermore, wine lees revealed to be the winery by-product with the lowest antioxidant capacity and content of phenolics. These by-products revealed to be a rich source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacities reveling to be of interest for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

A combination of high power airborne ultrasound and microwaves in hot air drying was developed to investigate the effect of intermittent mode on process effectiveness and quality of carrot. The drying experiments were carried out in an innovative hybrid dryer. The course of moisture ratio, drying rate, specific energy and water consumption, colour, water activity and shrinkage were discussed. The results showed that intermittent ultrasound and microwaves in convective drying accelerate the heat and mass transfer, leading to shorter drying time and faster drying rate. It was found that hybrid-intermittent drying can improve the energy efficiency and product quality. Keywords: intermittent drying; ultrasound; microwaves; energy; shrinkage

Abstract In line with ADNOC digitalization strategy and our unwavering commitment towards 100% HSE and asset integrity, ADNOC Gas Processing have recently deployed Furnace Tube Inspection System FTIS technology via ultrasound intelligent pigging inspection for inspecting fired heaters as per API recommended practice 573. The purpose of this paper is to present the successful deployment and highlight the key benefits and value created from having such technology. In oil and gas industry, fired heater (often referred to as furnace) is utilized to heat process fluid to a desired temperature through exposing fluid in heating coils to a direct fire at burner. Fired heater consists of two sections of tubes, called radiant section and convection section. At the radiant section the process fluid is directly heated by radiation formed from the flame and at the convection section is heated by the flue gases leaving the radiant section Using the conventional UT methods for inspecting fired hearers is challenging and has some limitations. The usual inspection requirement of inspecting such asset, is manual entry and examine the condition of tubes using conventional UT/RT technique, by which complete inspection is not possible due to inaccessible and serpentine geometric nature of finned convection and radiation coil sections of Fired Heater. Thus, it leaves us with uncertainty in evaluating the Asset Integrity of the Heater. With this FTIS technology which is an ultrasonic based intelligent pig that operates remotely and autonomously scrolling through tubes to inspect the entire tubes of the convection and radiant sections tubes without the need of accessing the fired heater. This smart pig produces a massive digital and accurate measurements that can be later fully utilized to perform fitness for service and remanent life assessment in line with API. The key benefits and value created pertaining to this technology includes: Ensure 100% HSE by minimizing exposure of humans to hazards. Optimize the inspection man-hours Improve heat transfer efficiency via cleaning process With this technology we can obtain accurate and reliable Inspection data within short time Permanent Digital Record for complete tube system for future reference Lastly and importantly, it will ensure asset integrity as the technology can cover 100% in-situ inspection of the entire furnace tubes ADNOC gas processing has deployed FTIS technology via intelligent pigging inspection to inspect and assess the condition of radiant and convection section tubes of two regeneration gas heater (fired heater) at Habshan site which were commissioned in 2013. Post-deployment and to validate the technology, the data obtained from the intelligent pig has been validated with conventional UT and results revealed similar readings confirming technology accuracy and reliability. Looking ahead, having this massive digital accurate and reliable inspection date from FTIS will be utilized in ML platform for future prediction to further optimize inspection intervals of fired heaters.