Orthogonally reconfigurable integrated matrix acoustically array
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorKenneth R. Erikson
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Abstract
A transducer probe has a fully populated, integrated, matrix array of acoustical transducers for ultrasound imaging. The transducer arrays include tiled subarrays of transducers which may be switched (e.g., in real-time) between vertical and horizontal modes, and may further be configured to perform a first level of transmit and receive beam forming functionality with either horizontal or vertical scanning. Example applications include medical imaging, materials testing, and sonar systems.
Claims20
An orthogonally switchable matrix array transducer system for ultrasound imaging, comprising:
- a multiplicity of subarrays of N by N transducers, where N is at least 2;
- a bus including N vertical bus lines and N horizontal bus lines, where each of the transducers of at least one subarray is switchably connected to a vertical bus line and to a horizontal bus line, thereby enabling reconfiguration of the at least one subarray between a horizontal mode of operation and a vertical mode of operation;
- and
- a summer circuit adapted for integrating signals output by one or more of the subarrays into a common output signal that can be processed by a control system.
A method for performing ultrasound imaging with a matrix array transducer probe, the transducer probe including a multiplicity of tiled subarrays of transducers, the subarrays oriented in a pattern having a vertical component overlapping a horizontal component, wherein at least one of the subarrays is switchable between a horizontal operating mode and a vertical operating mode, and output signals of the tiled subarrays can be integrated into an output signal, the method comprising:
- recording one or more ultrasound images in the horizontal operating mode;
- switching between the horizontal operating mode and the vertical operating mode;
- and
- recording one or more ultrasound images in the vertical operating mode.
An orthogonally switchable matrix array transducer system, comprising:
- a multiplicity of subarrays of transducers configured as orthogonally oriented arrays that include an area of overlap;
- a bus including vertical bus lines and horizontal bus lines, where each of the transducers of at least one subarray is switchably connected to a vertical bus line and to a horizontal bus line, thereby enabling real-time reconfiguration of the at least one subarray between a horizontal mode of operation and a vertical mode of operation;
- and
- a summer circuit adapted for integrating signals output by one or more of the subarrays into a common output signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.