Overview: In this webinar, we provided an overview of the Prodigy open-platform research ultrasound system. The Prodigy by S-Sharp is a flexible and powerful ultrasound platform enabling research in ultrasound imaging, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), non-destructive testing (NDT), and much more. Sold for many years as an OEM component of other systems (e.g., for photoacoustic imaging), this highly capable system is now available to laboratories and researchers around the world. This compact, high-performance ultrasound system is optimized for a variety of engineering research applications. As an open platform research ultrasound system, the Prodigy allows almost every aspect of ultrasound generation and detection to be customized. This includes true arbitrary transmit waveforms, super-fast acquisition capabilities, rapid data transfer, and a software backend that allows for real-time access and processing of both raw and beamformed data. Some highlights of the Prodigy include its capability for true arbitrary transmit waveforms by using linear amplifiers with digital-to-analog converters (DAC) and the availability of a graphic user interface for designing pulse sequences and adjusting transmit/receive parameters. Learn the capabilities of this flexible system with peer-reviewed examples of its many possible applications. Key Points:

1. Prodigy
Open Research Ultrasound System
An overview of the technical specifications,
product features, and example applications
April 5, 2023
Lawrence Yip PhD, Product Manager
Product information and specifications may be subject to change

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Topics of Discussion
• Introduction and history of open platform (OP) research ultrasound
• Introduction to S-Sharp
• Product review of the Prodigy
• Unique product features
• Applications and current research
• Q&A
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History of OP Ultrasound
• Miniaturization of clinical scanners and widespread
use of proprietary (closed) systems hindered novel
US research
• Add-on modules to clinical scanners were then
implemented
• Several research and commercial systems have
since been developed
• Initially they were large and bulky
• Several systems with transportable size are now available
Boni, E., H Yu, A. C., Member, S., Freear, S., Arendt Jensen, J., & Tortoli, P. (2018). Ultrasound Open Platforms for Next-Generation Imaging Technique
Development. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL, 65(7). https://doi.org/10.1109/TUFFC.2018.2844560

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Open (Platform) Research Ultrasound Systems
• Key features:
• Customization of the transmit waveform on a per-channel basis
• Access to pre-beamformed receive data
• Real-time imaging
• Many channels (~256+)
• Portable/small form factor
• Software backend data processing (often GPU-accelerated)
Boni, E., H Yu, A. C., Member, S., Freear, S., Arendt Jensen, J., & Tortoli, P. (2018). Ultrasound Open Platforms for Next-Generation Imaging Technique
Development. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL, 65(7). https://doi.org/10.1109/TUFFC.2018.2844560

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Topics of Discussion
• Introduction and history of open platform (OP) research ultrasound
• Introduction to S-Sharp
• Product review of the Prodigy
• Unique product features
• Applications and current research
• Q&A
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Introduction to S-Sharp
• After 9 years of technology development, S-Sharp was
founded in December 2011
• Vision: “Creating customer value through innovation”
• Provides cutting-edge ultrasound solutions
• Able to rapidly leverage technological advancements in
electronics and software design into biomedical ultrasound
solutions
• All products are fully software-based for easy upgrade
capabilities
• Open platforms designed to streamline workflow with real-
time raw data access
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11F., No.217, Sec. 3, Beixin Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 231, Taiwan

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S-Sharp Products
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Prospect T1:
high frequency ultrasound system
Prodigy:
open platform for ultrasound research
System components:
• Prodigy 128/256 (with embedded PC)
• HIFU
• High Power Transmit Module for pulsed
applications (ARF02-300)
• High Power Transmit Module for continuous wave
applications (ARF02-180)
• Probes
• (Optional) Probe adapters

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Topics of Discussion
• Introduction and history of open platform (OP) research ultrasound
• Introduction to S-Sharp
• Product review of the Prodigy
• Unique product features
• Applications and current research
• Q&A
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Prodigy Overview/Components
• Prodigy 128/256
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• High Intensity Focused
Ultrasound (HIFU256)
• High Power Transmit Module
(ARF02-180)
• High Power Transmit
Module (ARF02-200)

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Prodigy
• Compact ultrasound platform with either 128 or 256 Tx/Rx
channels
• Multiplexing allows up to 512 channels to be used
• Powerful embedded Windows PC with high-performance GPU
ensures fast 10GB/s data transfer
• Real-time data acquisition and processing with access to raw or
beamformed data
• True arbitrary transmit waveforms with 4096-levels (DAC + linear
amplifier setup)
• Intuitive graphical pulse sequence user interface allows user-
defined imaging modes
• Also supports C#, Matlab, and Python programming
environments
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Prodigy Specifications
• Multiplexing up to 512-ch through three Cannon
DLM connectors
• Transmit frequency: 1 KHz to 30 MHz*
• Time delay accuracy: 2.8 ns
• Max amplitude: 170 Vpp
• True arbitrary waveform generation
• PCIe Gen 3, 10 GBytes/sec
• ADC: 125 MHz at 16 bits
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Standard System Configuration
• Basic modes
• B-Mode
• M-Mode
• Pulsed Wave / Color / Power
Doppler
• Multi-Focus/Multi-Beam
• Duplex and Triplex imaging
• Advanced modes
• Pulse sequence mode
• Synthetic aperture focusing
• Trapezoidal or steerable
scanning
• Spatial compounding
• Coded excitation
• Harmonic imaging
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Add-on: HIFU
• 128- or 256-channel options
• Transmit frequency: 1 KHz to 30 MHz
• Time delay accuracy: 2.8 ns
• Bipolar pulse generation
• Up to 9 W per channel
• PC controlled or integrated with the Prodigy for
image-guided therapy
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Add-on: High Power Transmit Modules
• Depending on model:
• Up to 50 MHz (200 mJ) pulsed transmit frequency
or
• Up to 15 MHz (162 W) continuous wave transmit
frequency
• Applications:
• Shear wave elasticity imaging
• Acoustic tweezers
• HIFU
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High Power Transmit Module
(ARF02-180)
High Power Transmit
Module (ARF02-200)

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Probes
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Topics of Discussion
• Introduction and history of open platform (OP) research ultrasound
• Introduction to S-Sharp
• Product review of the Prodigy
• Unique (featured) product features
• Applications and current research
• Q&A
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Pulse Sequence Mode
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• Event-based design

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True Arbitrary Transmit Waveforms
• Tx/Rx channels can be independently switched on/off for each event
• Arbitrary waveforms can be designed, loaded, and assigned to any
channel
• Each channel is independent
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True Arbitrary Transmit Waveforms
• Oscilloscope recording of the actual
transmit waveforms
• Figure: Same waveform for all channels and
events
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True Arbitrary Transmit Waveforms
• Figure: Different waveforms for each event,
but the same waveform across all channels
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True Arbitrary Transmit Waveforms
• Figure: Each channel has a different
waveform
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True Arbitrary Transmit Waveforms
• Figure: Every channel across multiple events
has its own specified waveform
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23. Audience Poll

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Topics of Discussion
• Introduction and history of open platform (OP) research ultrasound
• Introduction to S-Sharp
• Product review of the Prodigy
• Unique product features
• Applications and current research
• Q&A
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Applications (non-exhaustive)
• Ultrafast doppler
• Shear wave elastography
• High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
• Developing US pulse sequences
• Non-destructive testing (NDT)
• Photoacoustic imaging (receive-side)
• Developing reconstruction algorithms
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Ultrafast Doppler Imaging – Rat Brain
Kao, Y.-C. J., & Hsieh, B.-Y. (2018). Ultrafast Doppler Observation in Rat Stroke Model-Comparison with High Field Magnetic
Resonance Imaging; Ultrafast Doppler Observation in Rat Stroke Model-Comparison with High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS).
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Ultrafast Doppler Imaging – Rat Brain
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Hsieh, B. Y., Kao, Y. C. J., Zhou, N., Lin, Y. P., Mei, Y. Y., Chu, S. Y., & Wu, D. C. (2022). Vascular responses of penetrating vessels
during cortical spreading depolarization with ultrasound dynamic ultrafast Doppler imaging. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.1015843

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Doppler Imaging - Rabbit Kidney and Testis
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Source: S-Sharp

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Doppler Imaging – Mouse Kidney
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Source: S-Sharp

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Shear Wave Elastography Imaging
Source: S-Sharp 31
Single Push Dual beam push
Multi push

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Ultrafast/Plane Wave Imaging
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Iyer, A., Sheng, Z., Zhang, Q., Kim, K., & Sharma, N. (2020). Analysis of Tremor During Grasp Using Ultrasound Imaging: Preliminary
Study. IEEE International Conference on BiomedicalRobotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob).

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High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
Source: S-Sharp 33
Pulse sequence
HIFU probe
Imaging probe
Phantom
High power transmit module
High voltage pules
Trigger out

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HIFU With Real-Time Monitoring
Source: S-Sharp 34
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Phantom
Before HIFU During HIFU 5min 10min

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Photoacoustic Imaging
Zhang, W., Li, J., Yang, S. (2019). Real-time interleaved photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging for guiding interventional
procedures. Applied Acoustics, 156, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2019.06.028
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Applications - Laser-Generated Leaky Acoustic Wave Imaging
Jeng, G.-S., Wang, Y.-A., Liu, P.-Y., & Li, P.-C. (2021). Laser-Generated Leaky Acoustic Wave Imaging for Interventional
Guidewire Guidance. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL, 68(7).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TUFFC.2021.3069474
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Topics of Discussion
• Introduction and history of open platform (OP) research ultrasound
• Introduction to S-Sharp
• Product review of the Prodigy
• Unique product features
• Applications and current research
• Q&A
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Q&A Session
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