Finite element model of transducer array systems for 3D ultrasound computer tomography

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women in Europe and North America. The established standard screening method to detect tumors is X-ray mammography. However, X-ray mammography often has low contrast for tumors located within glandular tissue. A new approach is 3D Ultrasound Computer Tomography (USCT), which is expected to detect small tumors at an early stage. This paper describes the development and the results of Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations of the Transducer Array System (TAS) used in our 3D USCT system. Not all required material parameters were available,so the main challenge of this work was to determine these values. After detailed analysis, a set of material parameters was identified which fits the measured data best. The quality of the simulation was evaluated by comparing the simulated impedance characteristics with measured data of the real TAS. The simulation model provides a powerful tool to analyze the 3D USCT TAS. Furthermore, it is now possible to design and optimize future transducers based on simulation.