Towards Ultrasound-guided Spinal Fusion Surgery

This thesis describes the design and fabrication of ultrasound probes for pedicle screw guidance. The author details the fabrication of a 2MHz radial array for a pedicle screw insertion eliminating the need for manual rotation of the transducer. He includes radial images obtained from successive groupings of array elements in various fluids. He also examines the manner in which it can affect ultrasound propagation.

Dr. Amir Manbachi graduated with a Ph.D. in biomaterials and biomedical engineering from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, and is currently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Division of Health Science and Technology.