A Comparative Study of Experimental and Simulated Ultrasound Beam Propagation Through Cranial Bones

The data was collected for characterisation of three source transducers at 4 frequencies and validation of the sources propagating into water, as well as measurements if these acoustic fields after propagation through ex vivo human skulls. The sources were as follows:

1. A 2 element spherically focusing annular array ultrasound transducer driven at 270 kHz with a 10 us pulse and a 70 us pulse (H115, Sonic Concepts) a single element

2. A single element spherically focusing ultrasound transducer driven at 500 kHz with a 2 cycle pulse and a 40 cycle pulse (H104, Sonic Concepts),

3. A single element spherically focusing ultrasound transducer driven at 750 kHz with a 2 cycle pulse and a 40 cycle pulse (H101, Sonic Concepts),

4. A single element spherically focusing ultrasound transducer driven at 1 MHz with a 2 cycle pulse and a 40 cycle pulse (H101, Sonic Concepts).

Data was collected for experimental validation of simulation of a linear ultrasound field propagating through 4 ex vivo human skulls at each frequency and source emission mode.

All measurements were made with 0.2 mm PVDF needle or capsule hydrophones in an automated scanning tank.

The study data contains 18 files: 1-4 contain measurements made in water for source characterisation, and the remaining files contain measurements made after propagation of the fields through the ex vivo skulls as detailed below. Each contains planar scans made at a distance of 55 mm from the transducer after propagation through one of the skulls, with additional axial scans performed in water for scaling of the source in simulations.

1. H115-2AA source characterisation, free field: 60 us pulse qCW, planar scan at 40 mm, axial scan. 10 us pulse short pulse mode planar scan at 40 mm, and axial scan.

2. H104 source characterisation, free field: 30 us / 25 cycle pulse qCW planar scan at 45 mm, axial and lateral line scans through the focus.

3. H104 source characterisation, free field: 2 cycle pulse, planar scan at 55 mm, axial scan.

4. H101 source characterisation, free field: 45 cycle qCW mode at 750 kHz, planar scan at 43 mm, axial scan. 2 cycle PW at 750 kHz planar scan at 43 mm, axial scan. 45 cycle qCW at 1 MHz, planar scan at 43 mm, axial scan. 2 cycles PW at 1 MHz, planar scan at 43 mm, axial scan.

5. Skull A, H115 at 270 kHz: XY planar scans in 10 us pulse PW mode and 70 us CW mode after propagation through skull A at z = 55 mm, axial scans in free field immediately before skull measurement and with skull.

6. Skull A 2157, H104 at 500 kHz, XY planar scans in PW and qCW after propagation through Skull A, axial scans in free field after skull measurement.

7. Skull A 2157, H101 at 750 kHz, PW 2 cycles; 1 MHz, 2 cycle PW, 40 cycle qCW XY planar scans and axial scans with and without skull

8. Skull A 2157. H101 at 750 kHz, 40 cycle qCW XY planar scan and axial scan in water before skull measurement.

9. Skull B: 2120 H115 at 270 kHz, 10 us pulse PW and 70 us pulse qCW mode XY planar scans and axial scans in water before skull measurement

10. Skull B 2120 H104 at 500 kHz, 2 cycles PW and 40 cycle qCW mode XY planar scans and axial scans in water before skull measurement.

11. Skull B 2120 H101 at 750 kHz and 1 MHz, 2 cycles PW and 40 cycle CW at both frequencies, XY planar scans and axial scans in water before skull measurement.

12. Skull C 2147 H115 at 270 kHz 10 us pulse and 70 us pulse XY planar scan and axial scans in water just before skull measurement.

13. Skull C 2147 H104 at 500 kHz, 2 cycle pulse and 40 cycle pulse, XY planar scans and axial scans in water just before skull measurement.

14 Skull C 2147 H101 at 750 kHz 2 cycle PW and 1 MHz 40 cycle qCW, XY planar scans and axial scans in water just before skull measurement

15 Skull C 2147 H101 at 750 kHz 40 cycle CW and 1 MHz 2 cycle PW mode, XY planar scans and axial scans in water just before skull measurement

16 Skull D 2117 H115 at 270 kHz, 10 us PW and 70 us pulse qCW, XY planar scans and axial scans in water just before skull measurement

17. Skull D 2117 H105 at 500 kHz, 2 cycle pulse PW and 40 cycle pulse qCW mode, planar XY scans and axial scans in water just before skull measurement

18. Skull D 2117, H101 at 750 kHz and 1 MHz, 2 cycle PW and 40 cycle qCW mode, XY planar scans and axial scans in water just before skull measurement.