Apparatus and methods for ultrasound imaging with positioning of the transducer array

摘要

Apparatus and methods for positioning a transducer array within ultrasound probes are disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe is a 3D probe or a 3D real-time probe and comprises a transducer array that can be repositioned or rotated relative to a probe housing to image locations that could not be viewed from the central scan plane of the probe. In some embodiments, a stepper motor is used to position the transducer array. The drive train for positioning the transducer array may further include a gear coupled to the motor by a belt, and a shaft coupling the gear to the transducer array. Repositioning the transducer array within the probe allows for imaging a variety of areas of a patient without moving the probe housing within the patient. Any of the 2D forms of imaging may be performed at any of the planes within a range of the 3D volume swept by a probe such as a 3D probe or 3D real-time probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.