2D ultrasonic transducer array for two dimensional and three dimensional imaging
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorsAndrew L. Robinson, David N. Roundhill, Brent Stephen Robinson, Paul Detmer
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Abstract
An ultrasonic 2D array has elements extending in two dimensions which can be individually controlled and operated to form a 2D array for scanning a volumetric region in three dimensions. Individual ones of the elements can also be selected and operated together to form a 1D array for scanning a planar region in two dimensions. The array transmits scanlines to scan the volumetric region and the planar region in a time interleaved manner with the frame rate of the planar region be higher than that of the volumetric region. A spectral display may also be produced of a sample volume located in the planar region.
Claims36
A two dimensional array of ultrasonic transducer elements, individual ones of which are arrayed in two dimensions and separately operable as a 2D array which scans a three dimensional image region at a given frame rate, and individual ones of which may be selectively operable together to scan a two dimensional image plane intersecting the three dimensional image region at a frame rate which is higher than the given frame rate.
An ultrasonic image display which is formed by a two dimensional array of transducer elements which is selectively operable to scan a 3D volume and a 2D plane within the 3D volume comprising:
- a three dimensional display of a volumetric region;
- and
- a two dimensional display of a planar region intersecting the volumetric region.
An ultrasonic image display which is formed by a two dimensional array of transducer elements which is selectively operable to scan a 3D volume and a 2D plane within the 3D volume comprising:
- a three dimensional display of volumetric region;
- and
- a two dimensional display of a planar region intersecting the volumetric region,
- wherein the three dimensional display is produced at a given frame rate;
- and
- wherein the two dimensional display is produced at a frame rate which is higher than the given frame rate.
A two dimensional array of ultrasonic transducer elements, individual ones of which are arrayed in two dimensions and separately operable as a 2D array which performs three dimensional scanning of a volumetric region with a given sensitivity, and individual ones of which may be selectively operable together as a 1D array which performs two dimensional scanning of a plane intersecting the volumetric region with a sensitivity which is better than the given sensitivity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.