2D ULTRASONIC CONVERTER ARRAY FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a single converter probe usable for both of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging for executing the image quality of a 1D probe at the time of being used for two-dimensional imaging. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic 2D array is provided with two-dimensionally extended constitutional elements individually controlled and operated so as to constitute a 2D array for three-dimensionally scanning a volumetric area. The individual constitutional elements are selected and operated together so as to constitute a 1D array for two-dimensionally scanning a plane area. The probe provided with this array is quickly switched between two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging modes so as to generate both of three-dimensional images and real-time two-dimensional images.