TWO-DIMENSIONAL TRANSDUCER ARRAYS WITH BEAM CONTROLLING FOR IMPROVED FIELD OF VIEW

摘要

A method and system for using two-dimensional transducer arrays for improving the field of view during an ultrasonic examination are disclosed. The ultrasonic imaging system includes a two-dimensional transducer array (210) with a plurality of acoustic elements (212), a beam controller (240), a signal processor (250), and a display (260). The beam controller controls a generated acoustic beam (230) capable of being advanced longitudinally or laterally along the two-dimensional transducer array. Additionally, the generated acoustic beam is capable of being phase-shifted by the beam controller. Combining the phase shifting of and advancement of the acoustic beam increases the field of view of the two-dimensional array.