About The UTRC
The Resource Center for Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology, associated with the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California, is a multidisciplinary center devoted to research and training in medical ultrasonic transducer engineering. As such, the Center is dedicated to design, modeling, fabrication and testing of high-frequency ultrasonic transducers and arrays, including design, fabrication and testing of supporting electronics.
The Ultrasonic Transducer Resource Center first took shape in 1993 at the Pennsylvania State University through a Biomedical Engineering Special Opportunity Award Grant from the Whitaker Foundation, Washington, D.C. The Resource Center then gained funding in 1997 through a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Technology Resource Grant given by the NIH National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) and supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). The grant was used to expand the mission of the Resource Center and help it provide support to academic and research institutions. In August 2002, the Resource Center moved to the University of Southern California and set up laboratories in Denney Research Center (DRB) at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles. Additional support from leading ultrasound equipment manufacturers, industrial and laboratory equipment manufacturers, and the University of Southern California has helped to build the Resource Center into a state-of-the-art facility.
Center Mission
The Resource Center for Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology is the result of a collaboration in funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the University of Southern California (USC).
The Center has set forth a number of goals which define its mission:
- Conduct novel research and development of very high frequency (>20MHz) ultrasonic transducers, arrays and imaging applications
- Collaborate with other academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and small businesses supported by the NIH to further the development of these high-frequency applications and provide the expertise in transducers necessary for project success
- Serve as an educational center for training scientists and engineers interested in ultrasonic transducer technology
University Affiliations
A number of academic units are involved with the Resource Center.
Each supplies an integral part of training or research in transducer engineering or characterization. They are:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC
The Alfred Mann Institute, USC
Electrical Engineering Department, USC
Materials Research Laboratory, PSU
Applied Research Laboratory, PSU
Department of Dermatology, UCI, UCLA
Keck School of Medicine, USC
Services
One of the primary goals of the Center is to provide service to outside investigators and small business. Often an investigator or company has a specific application in mind but is without the expertise to develop the necessary ultrasonic device. Investigators at academic institutions, research institutes, or small businesses supported by NIH grants who have a need for medical ultrasound transducers and are interested in a collaborative effort should contact Dr. Jonathan Cannata or Dr. K. Kirk Shung at the addresses above. Ultrasound transducers and components can be fabricated either completely by center personnel or in a joint effort with other investigators. In addition, collaborators are encouraged to visit the facility for additional training in fabrication and assembly.
Sponsoring a Student
The sponsor may endow a graduate fellowship to support a student who may be a current employee of the company. This would allow the student to work on a project of interest to the sponsor or the employee to pursue an advanced degree. The sponsor may participate in the co-op program for the students under training to gain industrial experience.
Contact Information
Dr. K. Kirk Shung, Director and Principal Investigator
Resource Center for Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Southern California
1042 Downey Way
University Park, DRB 136
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1111
Phone: 213-821-2653
Fax: 213-821-3897
E-mail: kkshung@usc.edu
Dr. Jonathan M. Cannata, Engineering Manager
Resource Center for Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Southern California
1042 Downey Way
University Park, DRB 130
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1111
Phone: 213-821-2649
Fax: 213-821-3897
E-mail: cannata@usc.edu
Directions
Follow the general directions to the main entrance of the University Park Campus found on the USC web site. Continue west past the main entrance on Exposition Boulevard and turn right onto Vermont Avenue. Turn right into the entrance at Gate 6 located at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and 36th Place. Denney Research Center (DRB) is the first building on the right as you enter the university. There is metered parking along the street and parking is usually available (for a fee) in the parking structure (PSA) by the building.
