Configurable microbeamformer circuit for an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system

An ultrasonic probe comprising:

• a transducer array comprising one or more transducer elements;
• and a microbeamformer integrated circuit including a plurality of transmitter and receive channels selectively coupled to the transducer elements, at least one microbeamformer transmitter and receive channel of the plurality comprising:
• a transmitter circuit having an output for delivering a transducer drive signal, and operable to deliver the drive signal in a controllably timed relationship with other transmitter circuits;
• a plurality of connection points between the transmitter output and one or more transducer elements by which the transmitter output is selectively coupled to the one or more transducer elements to selectively couple the transducer drive signal to at least one selected transducer element;
• a transmit/receive switch coupled to at least one of the connection points;
• and a receive channel coupled to the transmit/receive switch
• wherein the transmitter circuit further comprises:
• a first pulser having an output for delivering a first transducer drive signal, the first pulser output being coupled to a first connection point of the plurality of connection points;
• and a second pulser having an output for delivering a second transducer drive signal, the second pulser output being coupled to a second connection point of the plurality of connection points;
• and
• wherein the transmit/receive switch further comprises:
• a first transmit/receive switch coupled between the first connection point and the receive channel;
• and
• a second transmit/receive switch coupled between the second connection point and the receive channel.