Ultrasound (US) Imaging Probe With Rotating Transducer Array

摘要

An ultrasound imaging probe includes a housing having a tubular portion with a first long axis and a first end region having a first non-zero diameter, a non-zero height, and an inner circular perimeter that surrounds a material free region. The probe further includes a transducer array support disposed in the material free region and mechanically supported by the housing. The probe further includes a transducer array with a row of transducer elements with a transducing side and a second long axis. The transducer array is disposed in the material free region such that the second long axis extends within the perimeter and is perpendicular to the first long axis, and is rotatably affixed to the transducer array support on the first long axis with the transducing side facing out of the housing and the transducer array configured to rotate in a plane parallel to the circular inner perimeter.

主权项

1. An ultrasound imaging probe, comprising:
a housing, including a tubular portion with a first long axis and a first end region having a first non-zero diameter, a non-zero height, and an inner circular perimeter that surrounds a material free region; a transducer array support disposed in the material free region and mechanically supported by the housing; and a transducer array, including:
a row of transducer elements with a transducing side and a second long axis, wherein the transducer array is disposed in the material free region such that the second long axis extends within the perimeter and is perpendicular to the first long axis, and is rotatably affixed to the transducer array support on the first long axis with the transducing side facing out of the housing and the transducer array configured to rotate in a plane parallel to the circular inner perimeter.