Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for three dimensional imaging with a portable diagnostic ultrasound system. Real time or four dimensional imaging with a handheld system may also be provided. A transducer array steerable in an elevation dimension is used on the portable diagnostic ultrasound system. For more rapid or simpler scanning of a volume, the transducer array is a physically steerable wobbler transducer or a transducer with a varying thickness in the elevation dimension for electronically steerable frequency dependent elevation scanning. Using a transducer array other than a fully sampled two-dimensional array may be more cost effective and may require fewer electronics within the handheld system (i.e. allow more effective miniaturization) while still providing handheld three-dimensional imaging.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array is provided in which the transducer array is formed by a plurality of transducer elements sequentially arranged in the azimuth direction and each transducer element has a non-uniform thickness and each transducer is divided into a left and a right half which can be independently excited.

Abstract: A transducer system and method for harmonic imaging is provided. At least one transducer element is provided. The transducer element comprises two or more stacked piezoelectric layers. Information from each of the layers is independently processed during one of a transmit event, a receive event, and both transmit and receive events. Information from the transducer element is provided to a filter. The filter isolates harmonic information for imaging. By providing a multi-layer transducer element with independent processing for each layer, a wide bandwidth transducer for harmonic imaging is provided. The null associated with most transducers at the second harmonic of a fundamental frequency is removed or lessened.

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array and the method of manufacturing thereof is provided in which the transducer array is formed by a plurality of transducer elements sequentially arranged in the azimuth direction and each transducer element has a non-uniform thickness and each transducer is divided into a left and a right half which can be independently excited.

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array and the method of manufacturing thereof is provided in which the transducer array is formed by a plurality of transducer elements sequentially arranged in the azimuth direction and each transducer element has a non-uniform thickness and each transducer is divided into a left and a right half which can be independently excited.

Abstract: An apparatus and method using a backing block having a variable acoustic impedance as a function of elevation or azimuth, to achieve a desirable apodization of the aperture of an ultrasound transducer stacked with the backing block. The backing block has a gradient profile in acoustic impedance that changes from a minimum value to a maximum value along the elevation direction and/or azimuthal direction of the stacked ultrasound transducer. Typically, the backing block has an elevation gradient profile in acoustic impedance that increases from a minimum value of acoustic impedance near the center of the backing block to a maximum value of acoustic impedance at opposing lateral faces of the backing block. The backing block can be discretely segmented in acoustic impedance, with as many segments as are practically manufacturable. An individual segment can have a uniform or variable acoustic impedance.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer is provided that includes a plurality of transducer elements having a first surface facing a region of examination when the transducer is in use and a second surface opposite of the first surface. The first surface or the second surface or both may be non-planar in an elevation direction. A nosepiece having an integrated faceplate is disposed over the transducer and a filler material may fill an area between the first surface of the transducer elements and the interior surface of the integrated faceplate. The filler material may have focusing or non-focusing properties.

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array and the method of manufacturing thereof is provided in which the transducer array is formed by a plurality of transducer elements sequentially arranged in the azimuth direction and each transducer element has a non-uniform thickness and each transducer is divided into a left and a right half which can be independently excited.

Abstract: A transducer array and method for medical imaging which produces an ultrasound beam upon excitation, the transducer array including a plurality of transducer elements, each of said transducer elements having a first surface facing a region of examination when the transducer is in use and a second surface opposite of the first surface wherein the second surface faces away from the region of examination when the transducer is in use, said second surface is concave in an elevation direction, and a focusing lens disposed on the first surface of each element.

Abstract: There is provided a transducer array with a plurality of piezoelectric elements having a minimum and maximum thickness. In one embodiment, the maximum thickness is less than or equal to 140 percent of the minimum thickness. In an alternate embodiment, the maximum thickness is greater than 140 percent of the minimum thickness and the transducer array is capable of simulating the excitation of a wider aperture two-dimensional transducer array. One or more matching layers may be used to further increase bandwidth performance. In addition, a two crystal transducer element as well as a composite transducer structure may be formed using the principles of this invention.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array for harmonic imaging including an ultrasonic transducer array having a plurality of transducer elements, each of said transducer elements having a first surface and a second surface opposite of said first surface, said second surface being non-planar in an elevation direction and said second surface facing away from a region of examination when the transducer is in use. Transmit circuitry is coupled to the transducer array and is operative to cause the transducer array to emit a signal having a bandwidth controlled such that substantially no harmonic energy is transmitted. Receive circuitry is coupled to the transducer array and selectively responsive to harmonic echo information.

Abstract: A three crystal ultrasound transducer in which each crystal has a thickness that is measured in the z-range direction that varies as a function of its position along the x-elevation direction. The impedance of the transducer is reduced compared with uniform thickness transducers thereby providing a better electrical match between the ultrasound transducer and the ultrasound system to which it is coupled.

Abstract: There is provided a two-dimensional array for use in an acoustic imaging system which comprises a plurality of transducer segments each having a trace for exciting an electrode on each of the transducer segments, the trace and the electrode being formed of the same material. The two-dimensional array disclosed is capable of imaging deeper in the human body at higher frequencies and provides more reliable lead attachments to the respective segments forming the array. Methods of manufacturing the two-dimensional array are further provided.

Abstract: A phased array transducer and method for the manufacture thereof having a design that allows the array to focus in a near field of interest and a far field of interest. The array includes a plurality of even and odd numbered transducer elements where the even and odd numbered elements have an active region of particular widths. The width of the active region of the odd numbered elements is different than the width of the active region of the even numbered elements so that the odd numbered elements can be used to image in one field of interest while the even numbered elements can be used to image in another field of interest.

Abstract: There is provided a two-dimensional array for use in an acoustic imaging system which comprises a plurality of transducer segments each having a trace for exciting an electrode on each of the transducer segments, the trace and the electrode being formed of the same material. The two-dimensional array is capable of imaging deeper in the human body at higher frequencies and provides more reliable lead attachments to the respective segments forming the array. Methods of manufacturing the two-dimensional array are further provided.

Abstract: There is provided a two-dimensional array for use in an acoustic imaging system which comprises a plurality of transducer segments each having a trace for exciting an electrode on each of the transducer segments, the trace and the electrode being formed of the same material. The two-dimensional array disclosed is capable of imaging deeper in the human body at higher frequencies and provides more reliable lead attachments to the respective segments forming the array. Methods of manufacturing the two-dimensional array are further provided.

Abstract: There is provided a two-dimensional array for use in an acoustic imaging system which comprises a plurality of transducer segments each having a trace for exciting an electrode on each of the transducer segments, the trace and the electrode being formed of the same material. The two-dimensional array disclosed is capable of imaging deeper in the human body at higher frequencies and provides more reliable lead attachments to the respective segments forming the array. Methods of manufacturing the two-dimensional array are further provided.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a novel method of mapping and presenting fluid pressure information within a living body utilizing changes in acoustic behavior of microbubbles situated in a bodily fluid such as blood. Differences in the returned acoustic spectra from the microbubbles are related by an algorithm to fluid pressure which is colorized and presented in a manner similar to Doppler imaging. In a further aspect of the invention, the work output of an organ such as the heart may computed from the blood pressure information in association with flow information obtained through Doppler related imaging, which then, is presented in a colorized fashion. In a still further aspect, an improved method of assessing the health of tissue is disclosed utilizing changes in the acoustic spectra of microbubbles infused in the tissue in response to palpitation.

Abstract: There is provided a transducer array with a plurality of piezoelectric elements having a minimum and maximum thickness. In one embodiment, the maximum thickness is less than or equal to 140 percent of the minimum thickness. In an alternate embodiment, the maximum thickness is greater than 140 percent of the minimum thickness and the transducer array is capable of simulating the excitation of a wider aperture two-dimensional transducer array. One or more matching layers may be used to further increase bandwidth performance. In addition, a two crystal transducer element as well as a composite transducer structure may be formed using the principles of this invention.

Abstract: A phased array transducer and method for the manufacture thereof having a design that allows the array to focus in a near field of interest and a far field of interest. The array includes a plurality of even and odd numbered transducer elements where the even and odd numbered elements have an active region of particular widths. The width of the active region of the odd numbered elements is different than the width of the active region of the even numbered elements so that the odd numbered elements can be used to image in one field of interest while the even numbered elements can be used to image in another field of interest.