Researchers from the University of North Carolina (USA) have developed a unique technology that allows ultrasonic waves to penetrate through bones and metal thanks to specially selected structures of metamaterial.

These structures compensate for distortions during the passage of ultrasound through the so-called "aberrative layers".

"We have developed special metamaterials that will expand the possibilities of ultrasound in diagnosis and treatment, including in monitoring blood circulation and treating brain tumors. This was difficult in the past because the bones of the skull distort the ultrasonic waves, "writes lead author of the study Dr. Terry Chen Shen, a graduate of NC State.

"These metamaterials can be used both in industry and in the aerospace industry. For example, they would allow for the detection of cracks deep in the structure of the metal structure, "adds Dr. Yong Jing, an aerospace engineering professor at the University of North Carolina, co-author of the article.

Ultrasound diagnosis is based on the use of high frequency sound waves that penetrate into tissues and are reflected from the internal structures of the body, generating an image on the screen. When a sound wave encounters some obstacles, such as bone or metal, the image is distorted. Such obstacles are called "aberrative layers".

American researchers solved this problem with the help of individually selected structures from metamaterial, which allow us to take into account the acoustic properties of the aberrating layer and minimize its influence.

In structures made of metamaterial, a series of membranes and small tubes with the necessary acoustic characteristics.

Scientists tested the new technology while only during computer simulation, and the physical prototype device only in the project. During the simulation, only 28% of the ultrasound energy passed through the bone, if the metamaterial was not used. With the metamaterial, about 88% of the energy of the ultrasonic waves penetrated through the aberrating layer and reached the target.

medbe. en.

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