Multiplanar probe for ultrasonic imaging

A multiplanar probe comprising, an array of ultrasonic transducers, each of said transducers including an output electrode, said probe further comprising:

• means for rotating the transducer array about an axis of rotation, the rotating means comprising a ring gear affixed to said transducer array, said ring gear having a plurality of teeth distributed at equal angular intervals on its periphery, and indexing means for driving said ring gear to rotate in angular steps;
• a flexible printed circuit board having terminals thereon;
• means coupling said terminals to the output electrodes of the transducer array;
• a housing, said probe being situated within said housing;
• array stop means mounted on said periphery of said ring gear and extending radially outward beyond the radial extent of said teeth;
• first and second stop pins mounted on said housing, said first stop pin being arranged to engage said array stop means when said transducer array is at a first angular position and said second stop pin being arranged to engage said array stop means when said transducer array is at a second angular position;
• and
• feedback means for signaling impingement of said array stop means on said first or second stop pin to prevent actuation of said indexing means to rotate said ring gear beyond said first or second stop pin, respectively.

A multiplanar probe comprising, an array of ultrasonic transducers, each of said transducers including an output electrode, said probe further comprising:

• means for rotating the transducer array about an axis of rotation, the rotating means comprising a ring gear affixed to said transducer array, said ring gear having a plurality of teeth distributed at equal angular intervals on its periphery, and indexing means for driving said ring gear to rotate in angular steps;
• a flexible printed circuit board having terminals thereon;
• means coupling said terminals to the output electrodes of the transducer array:
• a housing, said probe being situated within said housing;
• array stop means mounted on said periphery of said ring gear and extending radially outward beyond the radial extent of said teeth;
• first and second stop pins mounted on said housing, said first stop pin being arranged to engage said array stop means when said transducer array is at a first angular position and said second stop pin being arranged to engage said array stop means when said transducer array is at a second angular position;
• feedback means for signaling impingement of said array stop means on said first or second stop pin to prevent actuation of said indexing means to rotate said ring gear beyond said first or second stop pint respectively;
• and
• position encoding means for detecting the angular position of said transducer array.

A multiplanar probe comprising, an array of ultrasonic transducers, each of said transducers including an output electrode, said probe further comprising:

• a ring gear affixed to said transducer array for rotating the transducer array about an axis of rotation, said ring gear being connected to said array and having a plurality of teeth distributed at equal angular intervals on its periphery;
• indexing means for driving said ring gear to rotate in angular steps;
• a housing, said probe being situated within said housing;
• array stop means mounted on said periphery of said ring gear and extending radially outward beyond the radial extent of said teeth;
• first and second stop pins mounted on said housing, said first stop pin being arranged to engage said array stop means when said transducer array is at a first angular position and said second stop pin being arranged to engage said array stop means when said transducer array is at a second angular position;
• and
• feedback means for signaling impingement of said array stop means on said first or second stop pin to prevent actuation of said indexing means to rotate said ring gear beyond said first or second stop pin, respectively.