Volumetric ultrasound imaging with a thinned array
US6524253B1 · kind B1 · utility
9Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/916
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thinned array of ultrasound transducers includes plural transmitters configured so that each transmitter insonates one segment of a volume at a time and an array of receivers electronically aimed at and dynamically focused upon subsegments of the insonated segment. The spacing between receivers is greater than one-half the transmitted wavelength. Echoes are received in a pattern that is aligned with the insonates segment so that receiver grating lobes nearest the echoes coincide with first transmitter nulls, minimizing the deleterious effects of grating lobes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.