Patent ID: 6716174
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: A61B,G01S,G10K

Abstract:
A method for electronically scanning a volumetric region by means of a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to a beamformer, comprising:actuating elements of the array according to a desired flexible geometry to transmit ultrasonic energy into the volumetric region, the desired flexible geometry corresponding to a sub-set of a volume of the volumetric region; receiving echo signals by elements of the array in response to the transmitted ultrasonic energy; and forming beams in response to the echo signals that sample a sub-division of the volumetric region that comprises a sub-set of a beam pattern of the volumetric region, wherein limiting an arrangement of elements actuated, and the receiving of echo signals from the corresponding arrangement of elements actuated, flexibly steers the beams in one selected from the group consisting of a circular volumetric beam pattern and an elliptical volumetric beam pattern, when viewed axially.