Computational modeling of a single-element transcranial focused ultrasound transducer for subthalamic nucleus stimulation.

Objective: While transcranial focused ultrasound is a very promising neuromodulation technique for its non-invasiveness and high spatial resolution, its application to the human deep brain regions such as the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is relatively new. The objective of this study is to design a simple ultrasound transducer and study the transcranial wave propagation through a highly realistic human head model. The effects of skull morphology and skull and brain tissue properties on the focusing performance and energy deposition must therefore be known.