2-D phased array ultrasound imaging system with distributed phasing
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic imaging system comprising:
- a probe, a base station, and a communications link coupling said probe and said base section;
said probe including an ultrasound transducer having plural groups of plural transducer elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, each of said transducer elements being capable of converting an image signal from acoustic form to electrical form, said probe including intragroup processing means for controlling relative intragroup phasings between respective image signals corresponding to the elements of a group and combining the image signals of a group so phased into a group signal so as to generate plural group signals corresponding to respective ones of said plural groups, said intragroup processor providing for transmitting said group signals to said base section via said communications link;
said based section including intergroup processing means for controlling intergroup phasings between said group signals and combining said group signals so delayed so as to generate a video signal;
whereby introduction of intragroup delays by said intragroup phasings and introduction of intergroup delays by said intergroup phasings provide for steering and focussing of said ultrasonic imaging system.
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Abstract
A two-dimensional phased array ultrasound imaging system distributes signal delays between its probe and its base section. The transducer elements are grouped and relative delays between elements of a group are introduced within the probe. Once the intragroup delays are introduced, the signals from the elements of a group are combined to generate a group signal. A group signal is generated for each group and, collectively, the group signals are transmitted to the base section via a multi-wire cable. Delays between groups are introduced at the base section. This distribution of delays maintains power dissipation within the probe at a tolerable level while requiring only a manageable number of data and signal lines between the probe and base section.
154 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic imaging system comprising:
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a probe, a base station, and a communications link coupling said probe and said base section; said probe including an ultrasound transducer having plural groups of plural transducer elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, each of said transducer elements being capable of converting an image signal from acoustic form to electrical form, said probe including intragroup processing means for controlling relative intragroup phasings between respective image signals corresponding to the elements of a group and combining the image signals of a group so phased into a group signal so as to generate plural group signals corresponding to respective ones of said plural groups, said intragroup processor providing for transmitting said group signals to said base section via said communications link; said based section including intergroup processing means for controlling intergroup phasings between said group signals and combining said group signals so delayed so as to generate a video signal; whereby introduction of intragroup delays by said intragroup phasings and introduction of intergroup delays by said intergroup phasings provide for steering and focussing of said ultrasonic imaging system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification