Siemens Ultrasound Buys Sensant Corp. and CMUT

Mountainview, CA-based Siemens Medical Solutions Ultrasound Division will acquire Sensant Corp. of San Leandro, CA for an undisclosed amount in its effort to develop and commercialize next-generation transducers based on advanced Capacitive Microfabricated Ultrasound Transducer (CMUT) technology.

According to the company, another benefit of the new technology is that it allows non-invasive research on the physiology of drug-eluting stents.

New CMUT technology is expected to offer superior and efficient volumetric four dimensional (4D) imaging for a wide range of applications; improved manufacturing processes; a broader frequency range and higher image resolution that allows clinicians to examine the next level of microscopic detail within conventional and 4D ultrasound images.

“The technologies are very synergistic and the combination could prove to be very beneficial. We now have the only proven methods for non-invasive imaging of stent performance,” said Michael Friebe, CEO of Biophan Europe.

“Not only should this technology enable higher frequency imaging, which will allow clinicians to view the smallest details within the body, but the integrated circuit technology should also deliver superior quality control and manufacturing processes,” said Klaus Hambuechen, president and CEO of the ultrasound division. “Additionally, it will be easier to tightly integrate the electronics of the transducer and the ultrasound system. This improved integration is where the greatest possibilities for ultrasound imaging and manufacturing advancements can be realized, especially in the area of volumetric (4D) imaging.”

CMUT transducers are made from silicon wafers using integrated circuit fabrication processes. Miniature “drum heads”-so small that seven are equivalent to the cross sectional size of a single strand of human hair-are formed from micro-fabricated silicon. A single drum operates as both an ultrasonic speaker and microphone.

Founded in 1998, Sensant is a developer of Silicon Ultrasound diagnostic imaging technology, a silicon-based transducer technology for improved 2D and 3D ultrasound imaging.