Implantable Bio-Heating System Based on Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers

This paper demonstrates, for the first time, on the possibility to achieve implantable bio-heating systems based on Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (pMUTs). Given the miniaturization capability and bio-compatibly of the pMUTs, this will enable non-invasive implantable platforms for ultrasonic therapies. By implanting the arrays in key locations into the body or integrating them into smart ingestible pills, it will be possible to pre-monitor ailment manifestation, continuously and non-invasively apply the ultrasound therapy, and ultimately post-monitor the effects on the individual. This first demonstration has shown a 4°C increase in relative temperature in less than ten seconds with a five by ten pMUT array. In an implanted system, this will allow to locally heat tissue areas from 37°C to 41°C, making it ideal for hyperthermia therapies.