FLEXIBLE GEOMETRY FOR REAL-TIME ULTRASOUND VOLUME IMAGING

摘要

An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for electronically scanning a volumetric region by means of a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to a beamformer, comprising: actuating elements of the array to transmit ultrasonic energy into the volumetric region; receiving echo signals by elements of the array in response to the transmitted ultrasonic energy; and forming beams which sample the volumetric region that allows choices of size, location and geometry shapes such as in one of a circular and elliptical beam pattern.