Abstract: A medical system includes a carrier and a multiplicity of electromechanical transducers mounted to the carrier, the transducers being disposable in effective pressure-wave-transmitting contact with a patient. Energization componentry is operatively connected to a first plurality of the transducers for supplying the same with electrical signals of at least one pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce first pressure waves in the patient. A control unit is operatively connected to the energization componentry and includes an electronic analyzer operatively connected to a second plurality of the transducers for performing electronic 3D volumetric data acquisition and imaging (which includes determining three-dimensional shapes) of internal tissue structures of the patient by analyzing signals generated by the second plurality of the transducers in response to second pressure waves produced at the internal tissue structures in response to the first pressure waves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound generates image data in a scanning and imaging process known as coherent aperture combining beamforming (CAC-BF). The CAC-BF technique can be applied in an azimuth dimension and/or an elevation dimension, to form an ultrasound image line, image plane, or image data cube. Several innovations relating to the design and ordering of shots and efficient weighting algorithms that address various performance issues associated with B-mode and other modes such as Doppler, and harmonic imaging are disclosed. The invention has significant advantages over other synthetic aperture imaging techniques and conventional imaging techniques by supporting higher resolution, larger volumes and/or shorter acquisition times than comparative techniques, using similar system hardware complexity.

Abstract: A medical system includes a carrier and a multiplicity of electromechanical transducers mounted to the carrier, the transducers being disposable in effective pressure-wave-transmitting contact with a patient. Energization componentry is operatively connected to a first plurality of the transducers for supplying the same with electrical signals of at least one pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce first pressure waves in the patient. A control unit is operatively connected to the energization componentry and includes an electronic analyzer operatively connected to a second plurality of the transducers for performing electronic 3D volumetric data acquisition and imaging (which includes determining three-dimensional shapes) of internal tissue structures of the patient by analyzing signals generated by the second plurality of the transducers in response to second pressure waves produced at the internal tissue structures in response to the first pressure waves.

Abstract: A probe for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound incorporates a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a two dimensional array having an azimuth direction and an elevation direction. The transducer elements have a first element size in the azimuth dimension and a second element size in the elevation dimension. At least one of the first and second element sizes is at least twice a characteristic wavelength of a waveform used to drive the array of transducer elements, where the characteristic wavelength is defined as the wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of the waveform. Image data is generated in a scanning process using a CAC-BF technique in an azimuth dimension and/or an elevation dimension, to form an ultrasound image line, image plane, or image data cube.

Abstract: A medical system includes a carrier and a multiplicity of electromechanical transducers mounted to the carrier, the transducers being disposable in effective pressure-wave-transmitting contact with a patient. Energization componentry is operatively connected to a first plurality of the transducers for supplying the same with electrical signals of at least one pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce first pressure waves in the patient. A control unit is operatively connected to the energization componentry and includes an electronic analyzer operatively connected to a second plurality of the transducers for performing electronic 3D volumetric data acquisition and imaging (which includes determining three-dimensional shapes) of internal tissue structures of the patient by analyzing signals generated by the second plurality of the transducers in response to second pressure waves produced at the internal tissue structures in response to the first pressure waves.

Abstract: A probe for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound incorporates a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a two dimensional array having an azimuth direction and an elevation direction. The transducer elements have a first element size in the azimuth dimension and a second element size in the elevation dimension. At least one of the first and second element sizes is at least twice a characteristic wavelength of a waveform used to drive the array of transducer elements, where the characteristic wavelength is defined as the wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of the waveform. Image data is generated in a scanning process using a CAC-BF technique in an azimuth dimension and/or an elevation dimension, to form an ultrasound image line, image plane, or image data cube.