Ultrasound imaging system and method using a quantum well-device for enabling optical interconnections

摘要

An ultrasound imaging system having an ultrasonic probe including an array of ultrasonic transducers is provided. The imaging system further includes a plurality of interconnect channels for enabling optical communication of the ultrasonic probe with an imaging console. Each interconnect channel includes a quantum-well device having a terminal electrically coupled to receive an electrical signal from a corresponding transducer. The quantum well device is further configured to receive and process an input optical signal to supply a modulated optical signal in response to amplitude variation of the electrical signal. An optical cable assembly is coupled to transmit from the imaging console the optical input signal received by the quantum-well device.