Patent ID: 8641627
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: A61B,G01S

Abstract:
1. An ultrasound probe for use with an ultrasound system comprising a housing having a flexible shaft and a distal end; a phased array ultrasound transducer housed within the distal end of the housing, the transducer having a plurality of elements configured so that the elements can be driven individually and independently, wherein the elements are stacked so that each element is displaced in an azimuthal direction with respect to at least one adjacent element, wherein each element has a width in an azimuthal direction and a height in an elevation direction, the height being larger than the width, wherein the transducer is configured for generating an image plane that is perpendicular to the elevation direction, and wherein the transducer is transversely oriented with respect to a proximal-distal axis of the distal end of the housing; and an interface that permits the transducer to be driven by the ultrasound system, wherein a ratio of the size of the transducer in the elevation direction to the size of the transducer in the azimuthal direction is at least 1.5:1.