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Multi-segment ultrasound transducers

  • US 9,852,727 B2
  • Filed: 04/28/2010
  • Issued: 12/26/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of focusing an ultrasound transducer arrangement comprising a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, independently movable segments, each transducer segment comprising a plurality of individually controllable transducer elements and each transducer element comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, the method comprising:

  • (a) for each of the plurality of transducer segments, adjusting relative phases of the transducer elements within the segment so as to create a focus associated with the segment; and

    (b) following step (a), bringing the foci associated with the segments in phase by measuring, for each segment, a total phase associated with the focus relative to a phase of a global focus; and

    (c) determining whether the focus is in phase with the global focus and, if not, adjusting the total phase of the focus to a phase of the global focus.

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