Flexible Transducers for Ultrasound Neuromodulation

Wearable ultrasound patches possess the potential to transform conventional medical ultrasound applications by enabling hands-free, prolonged, and uninterrupted diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. However, current flexible ultrasound transducers often lack the ability to govern their curvature and are limited in terms of production throughput and design flexibility. In this work, we present a method for fabricating flexible ultrasound transducers with controllable curvature, utilizing high-yield silicon microfabrication and employing flex-to-rigid structures. The transducer's curvature is modulated through Joule heating, utilizing a low-melting-point metal alloy. The transducer demonstrates remarkable electrical and acoustical performance at central frequencies of 1.5 MHz and 3.4 MHz when immersed. We deploy this flexible transducer to induce neuromodulation of immune responses within an internal organ, illustrating the potential for continuous therapeutic interventions via a wearable ultrasound patch.