Abstract: An ultrasound probe has a two dimensional matrix array transducer and a digital microbeamformer. The microbeamformer comprises a plurality of transmitters and amplifiers coupled to elements of the array transducer, a plurality of low power analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry coupled to the amplifiers, a microbeamformer controller, a power supply and a USB controller which cumulatively consume three watts or less.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters which convert received echo signals to digital echo signals, a plurality of digital delay circuits which produce a plurality of selectably delayed digital echo signals for a plurality of digital multiline echo signals, and a plurality of digital summers which combine the selectably delayed digital echo signals to produce a plurality of digital multiline echo signals in response to a single transmit event.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters which convert received echo signals to digital echo signals, a plurality of digital delay circuits which produce a plurality of selectably delayed digital echo signals for a plurality of digital multiline echo signals, and a plurality of digital summers which combine the selectably delayed digital echo signals to produce a plurality of digital multiline echo signals in response to a single transmit event.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry for at least thirty-two digital channels in the microbeamformer. Preferably the analog to digital converters are low power ADCs for reduced power consumption in the probe. Integrated circuits of thirty-two channels can be cascaded to produce 64-channel and 128-channel digital microbeamformers for an ultrasound array probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises one or more analog ASICs containing transmitters and amplifiers coupled to transducer elements, and one or more digital ASICs containing analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry. The analog ASICs and the digital ASICs are manufactured by different integrated circuit 5 processes, with that of the analog ASIC optimized for high voltage analog operation and that of the digital ASICs optimized for high density, low voltage digital circuitry.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe has a two dimensional matrix array transducer and a digital microbeamformer. The microbeamformer comprises a plurality of transmitters and amplifiers coupled to elements of the array transducer, a plurality of low power analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry coupled to the amplifiers, a microbeamformer controller, a power supply and a USB controller which cumulatively consume three watts or less.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe has a two dimensional matrix array transducer and a digital microbeamformer. The microbeamformer comprises a plurality of transmitters and amplifiers coupled to elements of the array transducer, a plurality of low power analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry coupled to the amplifiers, a microbeamformer controller, a power supply and a USB controller which cumulatively consume three watts or less.

Abstract: The high voltage drive for the transducer of an ultrasonic transducer probe is provided by an active supply that monitors the high voltage supplied to the transducer by means of feedback, and responds to a decline in voltage during high voltage transmission by coupling charge from a capacitor to the high voltage supply line of the probe, thereby preventing a precipitous decline in the high voltage. Preferably the active supply and the capacitor are located in the probe connector enclosure.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters which convert received echo signals to digital echo signals, a plurality of digital delay circuits which produce a plurality of selectably delayed digital echo signals for a plurality of digital multiline echo signals, and a plurality of digital summers which combine the selectably delayed digital echo signals to produce a plurality of digital multiline echo signals in response to a single transmit event.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises one or more analog ASICs containing transmitters and amplifiers coupled to transducer elements, and one or more digital ASICs containing analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry. The analog ASICs and the digital ASICs are manufactured by different integrated circuit 5 processes, with that of the analog ASIC optimized for high voltage analog operation and that of the digital ASICs optimized for high density, low voltage digital circuitry.

Abstract: The high voltage drive for the transducer of an ultrasonic transducer probe is provided by an active supply that monitors the high voltage supplied to the transducer by means of feedback, and responds to a decline in voltage during high voltage transmission by coupling charge from a capacitor to the high voltage supply line of the probe, thereby preventing a precipitous decline in the high voltage. Preferably the active supply and the capacitor are located in the probe connector enclosure.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe has a two dimensional matrix array transducer and a digital microbeamformer. The microbeamformer comprises a plurality of transmitters and amplifiers coupled to elements of the array transducer, a plurality of low power analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry coupled to the amplifiers, a microbeamformer controller, a power supply and a USB controller which cumulatively consume three watts or less.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer and a microbeamformer coupled to elements of the array. The microbeamformer comprises analog to digital converters and digital beamforming circuitry for at least thirty-two digital channels in the microbeamformer. Preferably the analog to digital converters are low power ADCs for reduced power consumption in the probe. Integrated circuits of thirty-two channels can be cascaded to produce 64-channel and 128-channel digital microbeamformers for an ultrasound array probe.