Multi-focus ultrasound system and method

A multi-focus ultrasound probe, comprising:

• a motor communicatively coupled with a lead screw and configured to turn the lead screw about a lengthwise axis of the lead screw, wherein the lead screw includes a length having threads;
• a lead-screw nut positioned about the lead screw such that the lead-screw nut engages the threads and such that the lead-screw nut and the lead screw can move relative to one another via the threads;
• an ultrasound transducer configured to move vertically with the lead screw;
• an enclosure surrounding the transducer, wherein the enclosure includes a probe face configured to hold fluid and engage a wave emission target such that waves from the transducer can enter the target;
• a capture feature capable of engaging the lead-screw nut such that the lead-screw nut is vertically fixed relative to the probe face and such that the lead screw moves away from the probe face when rotating within the lead-screw nut in a first direction and moves toward the probe face when rotating within the lead-screw nut in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the lead-screw nut is engaged by the capture feature;
• and
• a coupler link that hingedly attaches to the lead-screw nut and hingedly attaches to the transducer to provide a coupling between the transducer and the lead-screw nut.

A method, comprising:

• rotating a lead screw with a motor, said motor turning the lead screw about a lengthwise axis of the lead screw, wherein the lead screw is at least partially positioned within an ultrasound probe housing including a probe face;
• causing a lead-screw nut to travel along threads of the lead screw based on rotation of the lead screw such that the lead-screw nut moves vertically relative to the probe face;
• engaging the lead-screw nut with a capture feature such that the lead screw-nut is in a fixed position relative to the probe face and continuing to rotate the lead screw such that the lead screw moves vertically relative to the probe face into a different position thus repositioning an ultrasound transducer that is coupled to an assembly that moves with the lead screw;
• surrounding the transducer with an enclosure, wherein the enclosure includes a probe face holding fluid and engaging a wave emission target such that waves from the transducer enter the target;
• providing a capture feature engaging the lead-screw nut such that the lead-screw nut is vertically fixed relative to the probe face and such that the lead screw moves away from the probe face when rotating within the lead-screw nut in a first direction and moves toward the probe face when rotating within the lead-screw nut in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the lead-screw nut is engaged by the capture feature;
• and
• hingedly attaching a coupler link between the lead-screw nut and the transducer to provide a coupling between the transducer and the lead-screw nut.