Linear magnetic drive transducer for ultrasound imaging

An ultrasound scanning device for providing real-time two-dimensional scan data of a sample area, the scanning device comprising:

• a magnetic drive assembly defining a first scanning direction of freedom for moving a scan head of the magnetic drive assembly along a curvilinear path, the magnetic drive assembly including a housing, the housing containing a fluid and maintaining the fluid within an area defined by a housing base and a housing cap;
• a guide rail structure comprising a plurality of guide rails encapsulated by the housing, the guide rail structure defining the curvilinear path;
• a plurality of fixed permanent magnets, each fixed permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets magnetizing at least one guide rail of the plurality of guide rails and each fixed permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets located outside the curvilinear path of the scan head;
• and
• the scan head of the magnetic drive assembly, the scan head encapsulated by the housing and positioned to move within the fluid in the housing and comprising a coil, an ultrasound transducer, and a position sensor, and the scan head moveable on the guide rail structure between the plurality of permanent magnets which are fixed relative to that movement and wherein the scan head is movable in response to drive signals provided to the magnetic drive assembly,
• the ultrasound transducer providing ultrasound scanning over a first scan plane corresponding to the sample area and extending below a surface contact area for the scanning device.