Method and apparatus for dynamically steering ultrasonic phased arrays
US5322068A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S15/8918
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A phased array ultrasonic imaging system including a transducer array for transmitting pulses of ultrasound energy in a transmitting mode and for receiving reflected ultrasound energy in a receiving mode, a transmit control circuit, coupled to and controlling the transducer array, for selecting an angle and a focus to steer a transmitted pulse of ultrasound energy in a desired direction in the transmitting mode, and a receive focusing circuit, coupled to the transducer array, for dynamically varying a receive steering angle and focus in real time during reception of ultrasound energy to focus the received ultrasound energy along at least one virtual scan line that is not required to pass through a center of mass of an applied apodization function. The at least one virtual scan line may originate at a virtual apex that is disposed at a location other than on a face of the transducer array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.