Design and Simulation of a Low-Cost Biomedical Ultrasound Transducer in Low- and Middle Income Countries

Technological advances in the medical field have saved thousands of lives, however many more individuals are still in need of assistance, specifically those in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) with limited access to medical equipment. Biomedical equipment such as medical ultrasound is very expensive in LMIC. It is imperative that the biomedical engineering skills to design and manufacture low-cost ultrasound medical equipment in LMIC are established to reduce the cost of purchasing and maintaining the equipment. This paper develops an appropriate design of a low-cost ultrasound transducer probe and the required knowledge to apply the design methodology and values as simulation parameters on a Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (LTSPICE) and investigates the feasibility of manufacturing this probe in a developing country such as South Africa.