Mapping skull attenuation for optimal probe placement in transcranial ultrasound applications

It takes skill and time to place an ultrasound probe on the optimal acoustic window for transcranial insonification. This hinders efficient ultrasound imaging and therapy of the brain. This paper presents two approaches for automatically identifying the best transtemporal window in order to facilitate clinical workflow. A mechanically translating matrix imaging probe is used in conjunction with a point source on the contralateral temple. Optimizing the probe position results in improved image sensitivity and limited aberration.