Patent ID: 6120449
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: A61B,G01S,G10K

Abstract:
An ultrasound imaging system comprising:a transducer array comprising first and second transducer elements, said second transducer element being adjacent to said first transducer element;an electronically controlled switch having a first junction electrically connected to said first transducer element and a second junction electrically connected to said second transducer element, said electronically controlled switch having a first switching state for electrically connecting said first and second transducer elements to each other and to a terminal and having a second switching state for not electrically connecting said first and second transducer elements to each other;a memory storing a switching state control datum indicating a selected one of said first and second switching states of said electronically controlled switch;a controller programmed and connected to control the switching state of said electronically controlled switch as a function of said switching state control datum;a computer programmed to perform the following steps:(a) diagnosing a defective state of said first transducer element;(b) forming a switching state control datum indicating selection of said first switching state in response to said step of diagnosing said defective state of said first transducer element; and(c) sending said switching state control datum indicating selection of said first switching state to said controller,wherein said controller is further programmed to load said switching state control datum indicating selection of said first switching state into said memory following said sending steps;a pulser for sending a transmit pulse to said electronically controlled switch in a transmit mode;a receive channel for receiving an echo signal from said electronically controlled switch in a receive mode;a signal processing subsystem for forming an image signal which is a function of at least said echo signal; anda display device for displaying an image having a portion representing said image signal.