Miniature voice coil actuator allows integrated elastography

Elastography functions by vibrating the underlying tissue through mechanical excitation to propagate shear waves. These waves can then be measured to assess - for example, liver tissue elasticity - aiding in the diagnosis of various stages of liver fibrosis. This method of mechanical vibration has proven particularly more effective in evaluating tissue stiffness of obese patients over other ultrasound elastography technologies.

With elastography emerging as an advanced and very cost effective diagnostic tool, medical manufacturers are seeking ways to incorporate VCA technology into standard ultrasound probe designs.

The resulting probe would enable practitioners to switch from ultrasound imaging to elastography as required. Key to the product's design specification was a device that would deliver a high force in frequencies up to 75Hz in a small enough size to mount onto the manufacturer's existing ultrasound probe. Solenoids and other technologies were too slow to meet the frequency requirements. BEI Kimco's miniature linear voice coil actuator, LA10-08-000A, proved to be the right solution.

The VCA not only provides the 75Hz frequency, but also easily fits within the compact footprint, with measurements of merely 1x0.8". In addition, it packs a punch with a peak force of 6.67N.

“The capabilities demonstrated by our linear VCA in this application open up possibilities for innovation in the medical industry,” said Scott Best, Midwest Regional Sales Manager, BEI Kimco. “A small device that provides a strong force in a very consistent, high speed manner can be used in many types of medical equipment, such as ventilators, probes, blood analysers and lab equipment.”