Real-time ultrasonic imaging system

A real-time ultrasonic cross-sectional imaging system including in combination:

• a segmented transducer array formed of juxtaposed elements;
• means coupled to said array for energizing a selected group comprising a predetermined quantity of juxtaposed elements for causing each element in said group to simultaneously transmit acoustic energy into an object to be examined and to receive echo responsive signals arising from an acoustic discontinuity in the object;
• means coupled to said means for energizing for sequentially shifting said group of elements along said array in increments of one element for providing a scan of said array;
• display means coupled to said array and said means for sequentially shifting for displaying an image of said echo responsive signal;
• the improvement comprising:
• control means coupled to said means for sequentially shifting and said display means for causing during a first scan of said array, said group to include a first predetermined quantity of elements and the display comprising a first set of spaced lines along an axis of the display and for causing during a second scan of said array said group to include a second predetermined quantity of elements and the display during said second scan comprising a second set of spaced lines disposed between said first set of lines for providing interlacing of displays during alternate scans of said array.

The method of providing an ultrasonic pulse-echo real-time image comprising the steps:

• providing a segmented transducer array formed of a plurality of juxtaposed elements;
• energizing a first predetermined quantity of juxtaposed elements forming a first group of elements for causing said elements to transmit an ultrasonic search beam into an object and providing subsequently echo responsive signals arising from an acoustic discontinuity in the object;
• shifting said first group along said array by incrementally stepping said group along said array from one end to the opposite end whereby to complete one scan;
• energizing a second predetermined quantity of juxtaposed elements forming a second group of elements for causing said elements to transmit an ultrasonic search beam into the object and providing subsequently echo responsive signals arising from an acoustic dicontinuity in the object;
• shifting said second group along said array by incrementally stepping also said second group along said array from one end to the opposite end whereby to complete another scan, and
• alternating said one and said another scan.

A real-time ultrasonic cross-sectional imaging system including in combination:

• a segmented transducer array formed of juxtaposed elements;
• means coupled to said array for energizing a selected group comprising a predetermined quantity of juxtaposed elements for causing each element in said group to simultaneously transmit acoustic energy into an object to be examined and to receive echo responsive signals arising from an acoustic discontinuity in the object;
• means coupled to said means for energizing for sequentially shifting said group of elements along said array for providing a scan of said array;
• cathode ray tube display means coupled to said array and said means for sequentially shifting for displaying on a screen of said tube an image of said echo responsive signal;
• the improvement comprising:
• means coupled to said means for sequentially shifting and to said display means for causing each scan of said array to appear on the screen of said tube as a set of spaced lines along an axis of said screen and two successive scans to provide an interlaced pattern of said lines.