Finite element modeling of acoustic field of physiotherapy ultrasonic transducers and the comparison with measurements

This paper presents the modeling of the acoustic field of a physiotherapy ultrasonic transducer by using the finite element method. An ideal emission is presented obtained by using the approach developed by Rayleigh, called “piston in a baffle”. Simulations with FEM also are presented to compare them with the analytical results. The results of the model are also compared to those of the measurements in a physiotherapy transducer. The results show the efficacy of modeling the real transducers with ideal models in relation to the overlapping in the Fresnel zone and the characteristic parameters. A necessity is evident after this analysis: more appropriated models using more real boundary conditions. Results indicate that Fresnel zone is not correctly modeled using the ideal considerations.