Med-IPUT: Ultrasound imaging with integrated photonics

The Med-IPUT project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), is a groundbreaking initiative focused on developing advanced Med-IPUT ultrasound transducers. These innovative devices aim to improve ultrasound imaging and diagnostics.

By leveraging integrated photonic technologies, Med-IPUT seeks to develop a new generation of ultrasound transducers with unprecedented sensitivity, performance, and versatility.

Vermon is proud to be a key contributor to this project, bringing decades of expertise in ultrasound technology to the consortium.

Overcoming key challenges in ultrasound imaging

Modern ultrasound imaging faces critical limitations, including sensitivity constraints, shallow penetration depths, and the need for high acoustic pressures. These barriers affect image quality, while regulatory compliance and market scalability add layers of complexity to the adoption of new technologies. Med-IPUT’s solution lies in pioneering Integrated Photonic Ultrasound Transducers (IPUTs).

These transducers are expected to be up to 100 times more sensitive than current ultrasound sensors, significantly improving image resolution and penetration depth.

How will the transducer be designed?

The Med-IPUT partners develop several IPUT sensors, ultimately leading to two innovative demonstrators:
– A medical imaging probe for conventional ultrasound
– A probe for photoacoustic applications

What is Vermon’s role?

Design and integration

Vermon leads the design of demonstrators that combine piezoelectric and photonic technologies. This includes the mechanical integration and assembly of prototypes, ensuring robust performance and reliability.

Validation and testing

With its expertise in characterization protocols, Vermon develops and executes, in collaboration with TNO, detailed testing plans to evaluate the sensitivity, resolution, and operational stability of the prototypes.

Collaborative innovation: The Med-IPUT consortium

Med-IPUT unites leading organizations in photonics, materials science, and medical imaging, including TNO (The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Ligentec, and EIBIR (European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research).

Driving impact across healthcare

Med-IPUT aims to enhance medical imaging by providing more reliable and earlier diagnostics, reducing the need for invasive or costly imaging methods while improving patient health.
The project addresses key technical challenges and paves the way for improved diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes.