Two dimensional array switching for beamforming in a volume
First Claim
1. A method for scanning within a three dimensional volume, the method comprising:
- (a) switchably interconnecting at least first and second elements of a two-dimensional array of elements and a system channel, the at least first and second elements comprising a first macro element;
(b) forming a first beam at an angle other than normal to the two-dimensional array of elements using at least the first macro element and the system channel, the first beam within a first plane responsive to the first macro element; and
(c) switchably interconnecting the first element with a third element of the two-dimensional array of elements, the first and third element comprising a second macro element corresponding to a second plane at a non-orthogonal angle to the first plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for electronically scanning within a three dimensional volume while minimizing the number of system channels and associated cables connecting a two-dimensional array of elements to an ultrasound system are provided. An array of semiconductor or micro-machined switches electronically interconnect various elements of the two-dimensional array. Elements associated with a substantially same time delay are connected together as a macro element, reducing the number of independent elements to be connected to beamforming or system channels. To beam form in the desired direction, the macro elements are configured as a phased array or along substantially straight lines in at least two dimensions (i.e. along the face of the two-dimensional transducer). Such macro elements allow transmission and reception along beams that are at an angle other than normal to the two-dimensional transducer array. Beams at such angles may be used to acquire information beyond the azimuth and elevation extent of the two-dimensional array. Various configurations of macro elements are possible. For example, the macro elements in each configuration are parallel across the two-dimensional array, but different configurations are associated with rotation of the macro elements such that each configuration is at a different angle on the two-dimensional array. As another example, the macro elements are configured in a plurality of separate rows of parallel macro elements (i.e. configured as a 1.25D, 1.5D or 1.75D array of macro elements). Two or more switches are provided for each system channel, allowing for rotation of macro. elements. The different rotation positions of macro elements defines different two-dimensional scan planes within the three-dimensional volume. Two, three or more switches are provided for each element to interconnect the elements in many possible combinations.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for scanning within a three dimensional volume, the method comprising:
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(a) switchably interconnecting at least first and second elements of a two-dimensional array of elements and a system channel, the at least first and second elements comprising a first macro element;
(b) forming a first beam at an angle other than normal to the two-dimensional array of elements using at least the first macro element and the system channel, the first beam within a first plane responsive to the first macro element; and
(c) switchably interconnecting the first element with a third element of the two-dimensional array of elements, the first and third element comprising a second macro element corresponding to a second plane at a non-orthogonal angle to the first plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 37)
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17. A method for scanning within a three dimensional volume, the method comprising:
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(a) switchably interconnecting at least first and second elements of a two-dimensional phased array of elements and a system channel, the at least first and second elements comprising a first macro element, the first macro element substantially straight in at least two dimensions;
(b) forming at least a first beam using at least the first macro element and the system channel; and
(c) switchably interconnecting the first element with a third element of the two-dimensional array of elements, the first and third element comprising a second macro element corresponding to a second plane different than the first plane; and
(d) switchably interconnecting the first element with a fourth element of the two-dimensional array of elements, the first and fourth element comprising a third macro element corresponding to a third plane different than the first and second planes. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 38)
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20. A method for scanning within a three dimensional volume, the method comprising:
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(a) switchably interconnecting a plurality of elements of a two-dimensional phased array into a plurality of macro elements, each macro element comprising at least two interconnected elements, the plurality of macro elements configured in a plurality of rows, each row comprising a plurality of macro elements, the macro elements extending between row boundaries, a row boundary and an edge of the array or two edges of the array;
(b) connecting each macro element with a system channel; and
(c) forming at least a first beam using the macro elements and the system channels. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
(d) re-interconnecting the plurality of elements into a different plurality of macro elements configured as one of a 1.5D and 1.75D array of macro elements, the macro elements of (d) being at a different angle on the two-dimensional array than the macro elements of (a).
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23. The method of claim 20 wherein (c) comprises forming the first beam at an angle other than normal to the two-dimensional array.
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24. A two-dimensional transducer array system for ultrasonically scanning a three dimensional volume, the system comprising:
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a two-dimensional array of acoustic transducer elements;
a plurality of switches operable to interconnect the elements into a plurality of macro elements, each macro element comprising at least two elements in a substantially straight line in at least two dimensions; and
a plurality of system channels operable to be connected with respective macro elements;
wherein at least two switches for forming the macro element connect with each system channel. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 39)
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33. A two-dimensional transducer array system for ultrasonically scanning a three dimensional volume, the system comprising:
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a two-dimensional array of acoustic transducer elements;
a plurality of switches operable to interconnect the elements into at least first and second different configurations of a plurality of macro elements, each macro element comprising at least two elements in a substantially straight line in at least two dimensions, the first configuration having macro elements at a different, non-orthogonal angle on the two-dimensional array than the second configuration; and
a plurality of system channels operable to be connected with respective macro elements. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification