A Novel Smart Silicon Sensor for the Characterisation of Electro-Medical Lithotripters
V. R. Singh
Abstract:
High power acoustic lithotripters, like ESWL (Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripters), are currently in routine use in the hospitals for the removal of kidney stones, non-invasively and non-destructively. However, proper standardisation of such systems is still required for better safety purpose, and for better health care. Acoustic power output or intensity level of the lithotripter transducer is, generally, measured by using conventional devices like PVDF (polyvinyl-di-fluoride) hydrophones which have their limitation of sensitivity, stability and durability. In order to overcome such problems, a new smart silicon sensor is developed, in the present work, to characterise and calibrate the acoustic or electro-magnetic lithotripters for their output parameters like ultrasonic power output and/ or intensity level to enable the doctors to use the lithotripters in a more effective manner, with proper dosage level, for a particular treatment. with better safety. The semiconductor lithotripsy sensor chip has a four-arm Wheatstone bridge of silicon strain gauges with the associated electronic circuits of signal conditioning and amplifier etc. on the same chip, to make it smart in nature.
