| 摘要 |
An ultrasonic probe, such as a catheter, includes an array of electroacoustic transducer elements (12, 16, 18; 32, 34; 48, 50; 68, 70; 86, 88, 90, 92) arranged about a central region, with each element having a radiating surface directed to define a first acoustic energy path having a component of direction that is toward the central region. That is, the elements are inwardly directed. Within the central region is an acoustic reflector (14; 40; 56; 78; 84) that reflects the acoustic energy along a second path (24, 26) to an object to be imaged. In another embodiment, the transducer elements are directed to project acoustic energy generally parallel to the axis of the ultrasonic probe, with the acoustic reflector providing reflection for defining an interrogation beam. <MATH> |
