Ultrasound imaging method and apparatus

A method for using a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements arranged along an axis, the method comprising the steps of:

• alternatively holding the array stationary and oscillating the array relative about the axis between limits to define a sector;
• operating the transducer elements successively in a first mode while the array is being held stationary to generate a longitudinal B-scan;
• operating some of the transducer elements repeatedly in a second mode while the array is being oscillated to generate a transverse B-scan;
• and
• simultaneously displaying the longitudinal B-scan and the transverse B-scan echos received by the transducer elements in the first and second modes.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a probe having a longitudinal axis;
• a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements arranged along the axis of the probe;
• drive means for alternatively holding the array stationary and oscillating the array relative to the probe about the axis between limits to define a sector;
• means in a first mode for operating the transducer elements successively while the drive means holds the array stationary to generate a longitudinal scan;
• means in a second mode for operating some transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse scan;
• means in the second mode for selecting one or more adjacent transducer elements for repeated operation to control the transverse scan plane along the axis;
• and
• means for displaying the echos received by the transducer elements in the first and second modes.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a probe having a longitudinal axis;
• a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements arranged along the axis of the probe;
• drive means for alternatively holding the array stationary and oscillating the array relative to the probe about the axis between limits to define a sector;
• means in a first mode for operating the transducer elements successively while the drive means holds the array stationary to generate a longitudinal scan;
• means in a second mode for operating some transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse scan;
• means in a third mode for operating a group of fewer than all the transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse scan, interrupting each oscillation at a selected angle about the axis, and operating the transducer elements successively during each interruption to generate a longitudinal scan at the selected angle;
• and
• means for displaying the echos received by the transducer elements in the first and second modes.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a probe having a longitudinal axis;
• a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements arranged along the axis of the probe;
• drive means for alternatively holding the array stationary and oscillating the array relative to the probe about the axis between limits to define a sector;
• means in a first mode for operating the transducer elements successively while the drive means holds the array stationary to generate a longitudinal scan;
• means in a second mode for operating some transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse scan;
• means in a third mode for operating a group of fewer than all the transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse scan, interrupting each oscillation at a selected angle about the axis, and operating the transducer elements successively during the interruption to generate a longitudinal scan at the selected angle;
• and
• means for displaying the echos received by the transducer elements in the first and second modes.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a probe having a longitudinal axis;
• a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements arranged along the axis of the probe;
• drive means for alternatively holding the array stationary and oscillating the array relative to the probe about the axis between limits to define a sector;
• means in a first mode for operating the transducer elements successively while the drive means holds the array stationary to generate a longitudinal scan;
• means in a second mode for operating some transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse scan;
• means in a third mode for operating successive groups of fewer than all the transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate successive transverse scans at the transducer element positions along the axis;
• and
• means for displaying the echos received by the transducer elements in the first and second modes.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a probe having a longitudinal axis;
• a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements arranged along the axis of the probe;
• drive means for alternatively holding the array stationary and oscillating the array relative to the probe about the axis between limits to define a sector;
• means in a first mode for operating the transducer elements successively while the drive means holds the array stationary to generate a longitudinal scan;
• means in a second mode for operating some transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse scan;
• means in a third mode for incrementally oscillating the array to the angular positions about the axis and operating the transducer elements successively while holding the array stationary at the angular positions to generate incremental longitudinal scans at the angular positions about the axis;
• and
• means for displaying the echos received by the transducer elements in the first and second modes.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a probe having a longitudinal axis;
• a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements arranged along the axis of the probe;
• drive means for alternatively holding the array stationary and oscillating the array relative to the probe about the axis between limits to define a sector;
• means in a first mode for operating the transducer elements successively while the drive means holds the array stationary to generate a longitudinal B-scan;
• means in a second mode for operating some transducer elements repeatedly while the drive means oscillates the array to generate a transverse B-scan;
• and
• means for simultaneously displaying the longitudinal B-scan and transverse B-scan echos received by the transducer elements in the first and second modes.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:

• a probe having a longitudinal axis;
• a linear array of ultrasound transducer elements rotatably mounted on the probe in a straight line along its axis;
• drive means for oscillating the array relative to the probe about the axis between limits to define a cylindrical sectorial field of view;
• means for operating the transducer elements successively to generate a plurality of longitudinal scans covering the field of view;
• and
• means for displaying the echos received by the transducer elements in three dimensions.