Moveable ultrasound element for use in medical diagnostic equipment

摘要

An ultrasound device is provided for diagnosing pathologies in a tissue of interest. The ultrasound device includes a platform member and an array of ultrasonic elements coupled to the platform member. Each of the elements includes a body portion (39) and a piezoelectric crystal member (30). The piezoelectric crystal member (30) has a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y). A first mover (31) is provided that is capable of moving the piezoelectric crystal member (30) about a first axis (X) of the crystal (30). A second mover (142) is provided that is capable of moving the piezoelectric crystal (30) about a second axis (Y) of the crystal (30). A controller is provided for causing the first mover (39) and second mover (142) to move the piezoelectric crystal (30) about the respective first (X) and second (Y) axes for enabling the ultrasound device to capture a plurality of images at different positions of rotation about the first (X) and second (Y) axes.