Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of volume-panorama imaging processing, which generates a volume-panorama image by subsequently splicing respective image frames from an image sequence obtained in a real-time way or stored in a medium based upon the fact that the immediately adjacent image frames have the largest correlation. The method comprises the steps of: reading the image sequence, and firstly initializing an aligned image and a spliced image; dividing the i-th image frame Fi into a plurality of sub-regions; calculating a motion vector of the i-t image frame with respect to the aligned image; fitting the motion vector to calculate a transform coefficient; splicing the Fi to the current spliced image based upon the transform coefficient, and updating the aligned image; entering into a self-adaptive selection of a next image frame until the end of the splicing; and outputting the current spliced image as a resultant image.

Abstract: An acoustic/ultrasonic detection system can detect, for example, an object concealed under the clothing of a subject. The system includes a signal generator configured to output an electrical signal. An acoustic/ultrasonic transducer can be configured to convert the electrical signal into an acoustic/ultrasonic signal, transmit the acoustic/ultrasonic signal, receive a reflected acoustic/ultrasonic signal from an object in the target area and convert the reflected acoustic/ultrasonic signal into a received electrical signal. The transducer is at least one of an air-coupled transducer and an electro-magnetic acoustic transducer.

Abstract: A signal processing utility is disclosed involving time-to-frequency domain transforms for applications including medical diagnostic signal processing. Such transforms can be used to define a continuous spectral density function or other spectral density function including nonzero values at irregularly spaced frequency intervals. The invention thereby enables more accurate representation of certain real spectra and reduced spectral broadening. The utility also accounts for digitization errors associated with analog-to-digital conversion. The invention has particular advantages with respect to medical contexts where the received signal has a changing spectral content as a result of interaction of an interrogating signal with moving physiological material such as blood flowing through an artery.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic probe for simultaneously achieving improvement of both of a generatable sound pressure and a gain. An upper electrode 3 is provided as a separate element from a diaphragm 6, is fixed to a part of the diaphragm through a binding site 8, and thus is arranged between the diaphragm 6 and a lower electrode 2.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a three-dimensional acoustic panning device enabling a three-dimensional-panning of a sound source as a sound image panning.

Abstract: An acoustic monitoring system that is able to verify the success or failure of the positional adjustment of a valve without the need for additional energy during non-invasive reprogramming is provided. The acoustic monitoring system includes a programmer for generating a sequence of commands to adjust the valve mechanism, and for receiving acoustic signals for analysis, a transmitter to implement the command and adjust the valve, and a sensor for detecting an acoustic signal generated from the valve during execution of the commands. A method for using the acoustic monitoring system is also provided.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems, and computer readable media for real-time structure suppression in ultrasonically scanned volumes. A method includes receiving a plurality of datasets, each of said plurality of datasets representative of an ultrasonically scanned volume. The method further includes automatically applying in real-time a suppression filter to said plurality of datasets to form a plurality of filtered datasets, wherein at least two of said plurality of filtered datasets are sequenceable to form a data stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing the resolution of a seismic data image displayed on a face of a sampling probe. The enhanced image represents a maximum resolution of at least a portion of the seismic data image. The seismic data image is enhanced by extracting seismic data that are perpendicular to a reflection surface that is closest to a center of the sampling probe and positioning the extracted seismic data in a visible planar face of the sampling probe.

Abstract: An acoustic probe (100, 300) includes an acoustic transducer (15, 444), and a plurality of variably-refracting acoustic lens elements (10, 210a, 210b, 442) coupled to the acoustic transducer. Each variably-refracting acoustic lens element has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust at least one characteristic of the variably-refracting acoustic lens element in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, each variably-refracting acoustic lens element includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound system comprises several subsystems, such as a transmit beamformer, a receive beamformer, a B-mode processor, a Doppler processor and a scan converter. These subsystems are within the ultrasound data processing path for processing ultrasound data. One or more of these subsystems are implemented with one or more re-programmable logic devices. For example, one or two field programmable gate arrays are used is each subsystem to perform most or almost all of the subsystems essential functionality.

Abstract: Sonar three dimensional data are represented by a two dimensional image. Pixels of the two dimensional image are emphasized if the if the three dimensional data associated with the pixel differ by more than a criterion from the three dimensional data associated with neighboring pixels.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of volume-panorama imaging processing, which generates a volume-panorama image by subsequently splicing respective image frames from an image sequence obtained in a real-time way or stored in a medium based upon the fact that the immediately adjacent image frames have the largest correlation. The method comprises the steps of: reading the image sequence, and firstly initializing an aligned image and a spliced image; dividing the i-th image frame Fi into a plurality of sub-regions; calculating a motion vector of the i-t image frame with respect to the aligned image; fitting the motion vector to calculate a transform coefficient; splicing the Fi to the current spliced image based upon the transform coefficient, and updating the aligned image; entering into a self-adaptive selection of a next image frame until the end of the splicing; and outputting the current spliced image as a resultant image.

Abstract: A method for hard real-time adaptive wave modulation, comprising: populating a case base with waveform pairs, each waveform pair comprising a primary waveform, and a secondary waveform, wherein the primary waveform induces the secondary waveform; synthesizing a known target waveform s(t) by selecting waveform pairs from the case base such that the expression ?s(t)?g?2 is minimized, where g is the secondary waveform; and mutating the primary waveforms for each waveform pair based on a normal distribution until ?s(t)?g??2<?s(t)?g?2 where g? is a new secondary waveform induced by the mutated primary waveform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing seismic data. Seismic data indicative of at least a time-dependent seismic trace are transformed into time-frequency domain using the S-transform. The transformed seismic data are processed for determining at predetermined time instances an instantaneous amplitude and a dominant instantaneous frequency. Based on a quotient of the instantaneous amplitude to the dominant instantaneous frequency seismic data indicative of a likelihood of a presence of hydrocarbons are then determined which are then graphically displayed. The method and system for processing seismic data provides a powerful tool for determining the likelihood of a presence of hydrocarbons based on a double peak hydrocarbon signature in the quotient of the instantaneous amplitude to the dominant instantaneous frequency.

Abstract: Seismic data may be imaged using or recognizing substantially only primary reflections. Imaging seismic data may include for example integrating a plurality of seismic data points that have substantially similar arrival directions, for example, to a modeled primary ray. Seismic data points may be imaged that for example substantially meet a set of predetermined conditions, for example, conditions substantially unique to primaries, which may include for example arrival direction and angle of reflection.

Abstract: An acoustic probe (100) includes an acoustic transducer (20) including a plurality of acoustic transducer elements arranged in a one-dimensional array; and a variably- refracting acoustic lens (10) coupled to the acoustic transducer. The variably-refracting acoustic lens has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust the focus of the variably-refracting acoustic lens in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, the variably-refracting acoustic lens includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium.

Abstract: There is configured a radar or similar device that outputs received data that is currently being received and scan correlated image data in parallel with each other. Scan correlated image data and display image data resulting from received data from a display video memory 13 are input into a transitional data generator 11, and the transitional data generator 11 generates transitional data that represents an intermediate value and gradually changes from the received data into the scan correlated image data, using these signals, and inputs the transitional data into a selector 12. The received data, a FIRST or a LAST signal, and the transitional data are input into the selector 12, and the selector 12 outputs the received data if FIRST=1, and outputs the transitional data if FIRST=0, to the display video memory 13. This image data is fed back to the transitional data generator 11, and therefore it gradually changes from the received data into the scan correlated image data.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring pressure buildup in a body compartment that encases muscular tissue. The method includes assessing the body compartment configuration and identifying the effect of pulsatible components on compartment dimensions and muscle tissue characteristics. This process is used in preventing tissue necrosis, and in decisions of whether to perform surgery on the body compartment for prevention of Compartment Syndrome. An apparatus is used for measuring pressure build-up in the body compartment having components for imparting ultrasonic waves such as a transducer, placing the transducer to impart the ultrasonic waves, capturing the imparted ultrasonic waves, mathematically manipulating the captured ultrasonic waves and categorizing pressure build-up in the body compartment from the mathematical manipulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting vibration information by receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from a biological organism at a light amplitude modulation detector array to provide real-time imaging of the target object. The detected radiation may be visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation, and/or of other desired frequency ranges. The detected radiation is preferably AC-coupled to isolate components relating to oscillations of the biological organism from components relating to ambient radiation, e.g. background sunlight. The isolated oscillations may then be digitized, stored, and subjected to processing such as a Fourier transform to generate outputs representative of frequencies of oscillation. This output can then be used for analysis of the target object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of acquiring an ultrasound image in an ultrasound imaging system having an array transducer, comprising: a) setting an image point at a predetermined depth on an ultrasound image acquired based on a reference speed of sound for a target object; b) setting a range of speed of sound with reference to the reference speed; c) setting a plurality of speeds of sound in a predetermined interval within the range of speed of sound; d) acquiring ultrasound images at each speed of sound; e) calculating an amplitude of an image point set at a predetermined depth of each ultrasound image; f) determining a real speed of sound in the target object based on the calculated amplitude; and g) acquiring an ultrasound image based on the determined real speed of sound in the target object.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing signals for controlling a display to produce an image in an imaging system employing a plurality of transducers. First and second beam signals are produced in response to delayed channel signals associated with respective transducers, the delayed channel signals representing real and imaginary components of time domain signals associated with respective transducers suitably delayed to focus a receive beam pattern of the transducers at a beam angle, each of the first and second beam signals including separate real and imaginary component representations. The real and imaginary components of the first and second beam signals are combined to produce a composite beam signal, the composite beam signal including separate real and imaginary component representations.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging utilizes microbeamforming within a transducer probe in electrical communication with a base ultrasound system. The transducer elements are arranged in sub-arrays or subsets, and the transducer includes a cross-point/summation switch in communication with each sub-array, and the base ultrasound system. In the microbeamforming operation, the signals received at the receiving elements comprising a sub-array are summed to generate a composite sub-array signal for same sub-array, and a set of composite sub-array signals corresponding to a particular receive beamforming pattern is defined using a signal controlling the output of the cross-point switch.

Abstract: A reduced crosstalk capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array is provided. The CMUT array has at least two CMUT array elements deposited on a substrate, at least one CMUT cell in the array element, a separation region between adjacent CMUT array elements, and a membrane formed in the separation region. The membrane reduces crosstalk between adjacent array elements, where the crosstalk is a dispersive guided mode of an ultrasonic signal from the CMUT propagating in a fluid-solid interface of the CMUT array. Each cell has an insulation layer deposited to the substrate. A cell membrane layer is deposited to the insulation layer, where the cell membrane layer has a vacuum gap therein. The cells further have an electrode layer deposited to a portion of the membrane layer, and a passivation layer deposited to the electrode layer, the cell membrane layer and to the insulation layer.

Abstract: An undersea logging device has a pressure sensor and at least one environmental parameter sensor. The data measured by the sensors is logged and is wirelessly transmitted when a preset value of pressure is detected by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wide field of view ultrasound imaging probe (12) includes two flat matrix array subassemblies (40,42) positioned at an angle to each other within the probe (12). Information from each array subassembly (40,42) is combined for producing data corresponding to a wide-angle field of view image.

Abstract: An acoustical holographic imaging method and apparatus for introducing a reference wave into a hologram surface such that the reference wave does not interfere with an object placed adjacent to or in close proximity to the hologram surface. More particularly, the ultrasonic holographic imaging system may use a reference wave introduced on the side of a thin (3 element) detector that acts as a wave guide; to introduce the reference wave to a liquid-to-gas interface or alternatively, from the topside of the detecting surface through a liquid-to-liquid interface. The system eliminates the acoustic lens system, thereby reducing the size and cost of the system. Further, an object may be placed at the detecting surface, increasing the depth of field of the resultant image and reducing the energy needed from the object source. The system may additionally utilize multiple reference sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an amplitude value for use in controlling illumination of a pixel on a display, in response to a sampled sonar signal produced by an element of a sonar array. A pixel time associated with the pixel is found, the pixel time representing a time required for sound to travel a distance represented by the pixel, according to a range of distance to be viewed on the display. A sample point of the sampled sonar signal is then found, the sample point having a sample time nearest the pixel time. A delay value associated with the pixel is then found, the delay value including an array element delay value. A representation of a synthesized waveform is then produced, in response to the sonar signal, the representation comprising a plurality of sample points coinciding in time with the sample points of the sonar signal.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer system for acoustic signals in water has at least one hollow spherically-shaped shell for vibrating in response to acoustic signals impinging from the water. The hollow spherically-shaped shell has one or more portions that are reflective of impinging radiation, and a resilient matrix in contact with the water resiliently supports the responsive hollow shell. A laser Doppler velocimeter transmits radiation onto the reflective portion (portions) and receives reflected radiation from the reflective portion (portions). The reflected radiation generates signals in the laser Doppler velocimeter that are representative of the acoustic signals from the water medium. A computer receives the representative signals from the laser Doppler velocimeter and displays them on an interconnected display to determine direction and range to a target. The acoustic signals can originate from the target or can be reflected portions of acoustic energy transmitted from an acoustic projector.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting vibration information by receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from a target object at a photodetector array to provide real-time imaging of the target object. The detected radiation may be visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation, and/or of other desired frequency ranges. The detected radiation is AC-coupled to isolate components relating to oscillations of the target object from components relating to ambient radiation, e.g. background sunlight, and is digitized, stored, and subjected to processing such as a Fourier transform to generate outputs representative of frequencies of oscillation, which can be used for analysis of the target object.

Abstract: A method, system and underwater camera for acoustic imaging of objects in water or other liquids includes an acoustic source for generating an acoustic wavefront for reflecting from a target object as a reflected wavefront. The reflected acoustic wavefront deforms a screen on an acoustic side and correspondingly deforms the opposing optical side of the screen. An optical processing system is optically coupled to the optical side of the screen and converts the deformations on the optical side of the screen into an optical intensity image of the target object.

Abstract: Techniques for underwater detection of fully or partially buried objects such as sea mines and underwater cables are disclosed. An acoustical camera produces three dimensional volumetric images of a target area volume of an underwater floor. One or more first images are produced of the target area volume. An acoustical transducer pulse is then directed to the target area volume so as to disturb the loose particulate or elastic matter included in the target area. One or more second images are then produced while the pulse is present in the target area volume. The images can be compared for evidence of buried objects, or to otherwise evaluate objects included in the target area. The camera can be configured with an interferometer mode so as to produce volumetric images at a real-time frame rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for detecting an effect of interactions of electromagnetic radiation with ultrasound radiation at different locations within a region of interest in a scattering medium to thereby enable imaging of said medium. A plurality of sequences of pulses of ultrasound radiation is transmitted towards a plurality of locations, respectively, in said region of interest within an X-Y plane perpendicular to axes of propagation of the ultrasound pulses. Said region of interest is illuminated with incident electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength. The phases of the ultrasound radiation or the phases of the electromagnetic radiation components are appropriately controlled in order to be enable identification of the interactions between the electromagnetic and ultrasound radiation that occur at different locations along the Z-axis.

Abstract: An image data computing apparatus for computing three-dimensional image data on the basis of detection data obtained by employing a two-dimensional sensor array including a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The apparatus includes a line memory for storing the detection data obtained on the basis of output signals of the plurality of sensors, a storage unit for storing as a table therein transfer time period data determined by the relations between distances from a transmission unit to the respective sensors through respective points to be measured and transfer velocities of the ultrasonic wave in the corresponding paths, and a computation unit for reading the detection data stored in the line memory in accordance with the transfer time period data and computing image data at the respective points to be measured on the basis of the read detection data.

Abstract: The Gauss-Rees waveform has many applications including use in a method for identifying an object, the method including the steps of: directing a primary acoustic waveform at the object to produce a nonlinear acoustic effect; receiving a secondary wavelet produced by the nonlinear effect; and processing the received secondary wavelet in identifying the object. The object is identified by composition, image, and preferably both. The object can be concealed in a container, underground, under water, or otherwise.

Abstract: A method for generating a model of a portion of the floor of a body of water from a plurality of depth measurement sources includes determining an overlap of any of the plurality of depth measurement sources with another depth measurement source and generating a relative shift between any two depth measurement sources that overlap. For each depth measurement source that overlaps with at least one other source, generating an overall shift based on the generated relative shifts. The method also includes generating a desired grid having a plurality of grid nodes and generating a model depth at a plurality of the grid nodes based, at least in part, on a global shift for the measurements of the plurality of sources based on the relative shift. Further, an output is generated of all model depths at respective grid nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for underwater detection of fully or partially buried objects such as sea mines and underwater cables, consisting of a mobile underwater platform configured with a real-time, three dimensional acoustical camera with a downward directed field of view used as an imaging interferometer, coordinated with a high-intensity, low frequency acoustical transmitter directed as to disturb the loose particulate or elastic matter comprising the seafloor within the field of view of the camera. The images recorded by the camera display the relative motion of the seafloor material before and after an acoustical pulse, in contrast to the lesser or no motion of submerged solid objects. Distinguishing man-made from natural objects is aided by recognizing geometric shapes apparent within the varying image density, not common in nature.

Abstract: Compounding of data representing a same location is provided. The level of compounding is tuned. Different levels of compounding between averaging and selecting a maximum or minimum and/or between minimum and maximum are provided. Ultrasound data to be compounded is weighted. The weights are defined by a smoothly varying functions from a zero value to a unity value or one. The weight for each of the data to be compounded is a function of all of the data to be compounded. One or more variables in the weighting function allows selection of the level of compounding. As a result of these weighting characteristics, a compromise or tuned level of compounding between minimum and selection of a maximum value is provided.

Abstract: All RF data received by transducers in response to an ultrasonic signal that was transmit-focused on a point along a predetermined scan lines are stored to compute display data for those points of an object that do not necessarily correspond to the pixels of the screen of a display device. For the determination of display data for each pixel point, reflected ultrasonic signals from multiple points around the point of interest are found and used to detect the peak of a waveform constituted by the reflected ultrasonic signals. With this scheme, the distortion due to conventional interpolation used for a limited number of scan lines can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: The invention is of an acoustical pipe location system and method of use, by which hidden water pipes may be located. The system and method involve the introduction of low frequency acoustic vibrations into known portions of pipes, or pipe network components which are known to be connected with a pipe, a portion of which is to be located.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic adjustment of the transmit power are provided. Excess transmit power is determined as a function of the difference between a noise level and the lower end of the dynamic range of the system as configured. Based on the excess transmit power, the transmit power is reduced from the regulated maximum default settings to about a minimum while substantially preserving the original display image. This minimizes the acoustic energy delivered to the transducer and the body, thus reducing transducer heating and satisfying the FDA's ALARA principle.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe which is used for ultrasonic diagnosis comprises a transducer element, a sonic speed control element, and an acoustic matching layer. The sonic speed control element has a function to control the sonic speed of the ultrasonic waves traveling therethrough, and has an inclined characteristic in the sonic speed control effect in which the sonic speed control effect changes continuously along the direction of travel of the ultrasonic waves (thickness direction). The specific acoustic impedance of the sonic speed control element at the end near the living body corresponds to the specific acoustic impedance of the acoustic matching layer at the end away from the living body. The acoustic matching layer is preferably formed by layering 2 or 3 or more overlapped members. The boundary between two adjacent members has a shape with a plurality of hills and valleys.

Abstract: A tracking system for stone treatment by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy includes a data processing unit, a motion controller, a servo-moving platform, a stone image-processing module, a stone localization module, and a moving-mechanism control module. With the use of the stone-tracking system, the performance of an extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor can be greatly improved, resulting in less side effect such as tissue damage.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed which can provide images of received acoustic energy. In one embodiment, a transducer emits an acoustic beam which is reflected off of an acoustic beam splitter onto a target. The acoustic beam then reflects off of the target and is received by a piezoelectric imaging array which converts the acoustic beam into electrical signals. In another embodiment, a transducer transmits an acoustic beam through a target before being received by the piezoelectric imaging array on the opposite side of the target. In both embodiments, an acoustic lens system is disposed between the target and the imaging array to permit the system to focus upon, and magnify, features of interest within the target.

Abstract: A real-time, three dimensional, acoustical camera and a real-time, range-gated, intensified, electro-optical camera have substantially overlapping fields of view for co- registered imaging of underwater objects at close ranges. The system is typically mounted in an unmanned underwater vehicle but may be used in other fixed or mobile configurations. The coupled fields of view are steerable in an arc around at least one axis over a large field of regard with a servo-controlled rotating mirror system, while the vehicle or the target is moving or hovering. An automated target recognition system uses the multi-modality images to provide enhanced target recognition and/or autonomous operation in unmanned missions.

Abstract: An acoustoelectronic method and apparatus for generating real-time three-dimensional images of an object and characterizing such object are provided. The object is insonified with an incident acoustic signal derived from an electrical signal. Acoustic signals scattered from the object are collected by an acoustic receiver, which generates analog electrical signals that are subsequently converted to digital electronic signals. The digital electronic signals are used in both direct-imaging and holographic methods to produce a three-dimensional representation of the object from which images and characterizations can be generated.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for use with a sonar system. The three-dimensional imaging system processes forward-looking sonar data, side-looking sonar data, bathymetric data, detection and cluster data, bottom sediment type data, and vehicle position and navigation data and renders a complete three-dimensional image of an ensonified region.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric element for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and an acoustic lens provided on an ultrasonic transmission/reception side of the piezoelectric element. The acoustic lens is formed in an acoustic lens shape by vulcanization formation through addition of 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-t-butyl peroxy hexane as a vulcanizing agent to a composition prepared by addition of silica (SiO2) particles in an amount of 40 wt % to 50 wt % to silicone rubber with a dimethylpolysiloxane structure including vinyl groups. Thus, the ultrasonic transmission and reception sensitivity is improved and the degradation in frequency characteristics is diminished. Consequently, higher resolution of an ultrasonic image and higher sensitivity can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method/system of monitoring in real time changes in concentration of glucose in tissues. Laser-induced profiles of absorbed optical energy distribution in tissues are determined via measurements of spatial (in-depth) profile of optically-induced acoustic (pressure) transients using a wide-band optoacoustic transducer. Such technique can be applied for monitoring of glucose concentration in various human or nonhuman tissues, cell cultures, solutions or emulsions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sensing ultrasound images of an object (1). The method is characterized in that an ultra-sound head (3) is moved along the object so as to sense individual image subdomains (13) of said object (1). An evaluation subdomain (14) is analyzed in order to determine the extent of the object (1) or the spacing (&dgr;x) between the individual image subdomains (13). This evaluation subdomain (14) is sensed perpendicularly to the sensed image subdomains (13); that is, it represents a domain of the object (1) which overlaps at least two image subdomains (13). In this way, allocation within the individual image subdomains (13) can be determined by using the structures of the object (1) thus obtained. To this end, in particular a vertical column structure (11) of the object (1) (evaluation subdomain (14)) is analyzed, thus enabling allocation of a plurality of individual horizontal line structures (10), i.e.

Abstract: An acoustic imaging apparatus and method that achieves desired delays with coded signals. Linear, curved linear and sector scanning is provided in 1-D arrays and planar, curved planar and sector scanning is provided in 2-D arrays. Composite and non-linear implementations are presented. Dynamic and discrete dynamic focusing is disclosed for the relevant arrays. The 2-D array makes possible 3-D imaging.