Fabrication of a piezoelectric ceramic using a spark plasma sintering technique and its application for a focused ultrasound-assisted lipolysis system

Abstract

Pb(Zr(0.5)Ti(0.5))O(3) piezoelectric ceramics have been prepared using a spark plasma sintering technique and adapted for the design of a noninvasive lipolysis system, as the traditional ultrasound-assisted lipolysis system (UALS) is extremely invasive, significantly increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality. In order to transfer high sonic energy into a certain depth of skin (subcutaneous area) with minimal damage to superficial skin, a focusing acoustic wave design was developed. The self-designed UALS device was found to be very effective in destructing the adipocytes around the focused area in animal experiments. The focusing probe with bio-applicable piezoelectric materials shows great promise for future clinical applications.