Patent ID: 6045508
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: A61B,G01S

Abstract:
An ultrasound probe system comprising a probe comprising:a body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference, and a distal end region;a first linear transducer array disposed in the distal end region of the body;a second transducer array disposed 360.degree. around the circumference of the body said probe system further comprising:a transmit beamformer coupled to the first and second transducer arrays;a receive beamformer coupled to the first and second transducer arrays; anda processor coupled to the transmit and receive beamformer wherein the processor is programmed to (1) acquire two-dimensional image data with the first transducer array upon excitation by the transmit beamformer, and (2) acquire two-dimensional image data with the second transducer array upon excitation by the transmit beamformer.