Methods and apparatus for performing multiple modes of ultrasound imaging using a single ultrasound transducer

An ultrasound imaging machine, comprising:

• an ultrasound processor;
• and
• a sequential transducer communicably coupled to the ultrasound processor, the sequential transducer comprising a plurality of transducer elements;
• wherein the ultrasound imaging machine is:
• operable in a first imaging mode in which the ultrasound processor activates the plurality of transducer elements;
• and
• operable in a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode, and in the second imaging mode, the ultrasound processor activates a subset of the plurality of transducer elements so that a plurality of ultrasound signals are steered from the subset of the plurality of transducer elements, wherein any remaining transducer elements of the plurality of transducer elements not part of the subset are inactive when operating in the second imaging mode.

A sequential ultrasound transducer, capable of being communicably coupled to an ultrasound processor, the sequential ultrasound transducer comprising:

• a plurality of transducer elements, wherein when the sequential ultrasound transducer is communicably coupled to the ultrasound processor, the ultrasound processor is configured to:
• activate the plurality of transducer elements in a first imaging mode;
• and
• activate a subset of the plurality of transducer elements in a second imaging mode that is different from the first imaging mode, wherein in the second imaging mode, the ultrasound processor steers a plurality of ultrasound signals from the subset of the plurality of transducer elements, and wherein any remaining transducer elements of the plurality of transducer elements not part of the subset are inactive, when in the second imaging mode.