Direct computation of ultrasound phased-array driving signals from a specified temperature distribution for hyperthermia

A method that obtains ultrasound hyperthermia applicator phased-array element driving signals from a desired temperature distribution is presented. The approach combines a technique which computes array element driving signals from focal point locations and intensities with a technique which calculates focal point locations and power deposition values from temperature requirements. Temperature specifications appear as upper and lower bounds within the tumor volume, and a focal point placement algorithm chooses focal patterns capable of achieving the temperature range objective. The linear algebraic structure of the method allows rapid calculation of both the phased-array driving signals and an approximate temperature field response. Computer simulations verify the method with a spherical section array (SSA) for a variety of temperature specifications and blood perfusion values. The scheme applies to any phased-array geometry.