Two-dimensional phase correction using a deformable ultrasonic transducer array
AssigneeDuke University
InventorsLoriann L. Ries, Stephen W. Smith, Gregg E. Trahey
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Abstract
A medical ultrasound array transducer assembly for achieving two-dimensional phase correction of an aberrated ultrasound beam is disclosed. The array transducer assembly comprises a plurality of transducer elements and is configured for insertion in or contacting to the human body. The two-dimensional phase correction comprises mechanically correcting ultrasound beam phase errors in a first dimension, and electronically correcting ultrasound beam phase errors in a second dimension. The transducer array assembly requires significantly fewer channels than a standard array which used for two-dimensional phase correction.
Claims26
A medical ultrasound imaging array transducer assembly configured for insertion in or contacting to the human body and having two-dimensional phase correction capability, said assembly comprising:
- a base member;
- a plurality of transducer elements secured to said base member;
- and
- at least one actuator connected to said base member and at least one of said transducer elements for deflecting said at least one transducer element in elevation relative to at least one other transducer element thereby providing phase correction capability in two dimensions.
A medical ultrasound array transducer assembly configured for insertion in or contacting to the human body and having phase correction capability, said assembly comprising:
- a base member;
- a plurality of transducer elements secured to said base member;
- and
- at least one actuator connected to said base member and at least one of said transducer elements for deflecting said at least one transducer element relative to at least one other transducer element thereby providing phase correction capability in at least one dimension,
- wherein each one of said plurality of transducer elements comprises:
- an acoustically attenuating layer connected to the upper surface of said at least one actuator;
- a piezoelectric transducer chip connected to said attenuating layer;
- and
- a matching layer having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein said lower surface of said matching layer is connected to said piezoelectric transducer chip.
A medical ultrasound imaging array transducer system configured for insertion in or contacting to the human body and having two-dimensional phase correction capability, said system comprising:
- a) a transducer array assembly comprising:
- a base member;
- a plurality of transducer elements secured to said base member;
- and
- at least one actuator connected to said base member and at least one of said transducer elements for deflecting said at least one transducer element relative to at least one other transducer element;
- and
- b) a base unit operatively associated with said transducer array assembly, said base unit comprising:
- control means associated with said at least one actuator for mechanically correcting ultrasound beam phase errors in a first dimension.
A medical ultrasound array transducer system configured for insertion in or contacting to the human body and having a two-dimensional phase correction capability, said system comprising:
- a) a transducer array assembly comprising:
- a base member;
- a plurality of transducer elements secured to said base member;
- and
- at least one actuator connected to said base member and at least one of said transducer elements for deflecting said at least one transducer element relative to at least one other transducer element;
- and
- b) a base unit operatively associated with said transducer array assembly, said base unit comprising:
- control means associated with said at least one actuator for mechanically correcting ultrasound beam phase errors in a first dimension, and
- wherein each one of said plurality of transducer elements comprises:
- an attenuating layer of material connected to the upper surface of said at least one actuator;
- a piezoelectric transducer chip connected to said attenuating layer;
- and
- a matching layer of material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein said lower surface of said matching layer is connected to said piezoelectric transducer chip.
A method for achieving two-dimensional phase correction of an aberrated ultrasound beam received by a medical ultrasound array transducer assembly comprising a plurality of transducer elements and configured for insertion in or contacting to the human body, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) mechanically correcting ultrasound beam phase errors in a first dimension;
- and
- b) electronically correcting ultrasound beam phase errors in a second dimension.
A base unit for a medical ultrasound imaging array transducer assembly comprising at least one transducer element and at least one actuator, said base unit comprising:
- control means associated with said at least one actuator for mechanically correcting ultrasound beam phase errors in an elevation dimension;
- and
- a power supply.
A method for focusing an ultrasound beam in two dimensions by a medical ultrasound array transducer assembly comprising a plurality of transducer elements and configured for insertion in or contacting to the human body, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) mechanically focusing the ultrasound beam in a first elevation dimension;
- and
- b) electronically focusing the ultrasound beam in a second dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.