Patent ID: 6241676
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B06B,G01S

Abstract:
Apparatus comprising:an ultrasound transducer element to output ultrasound energy having an ultrasound transmit waveform with a low harmonic content, the ultrasound transducer element having a capacitance; andan analog transducer driver to charge and discharge the ultrasound transducer element based on at least one drive signal input to the analog transducer driver, the at least one drive signal having a fundamental frequency,wherein the analog transducer driver charges and discharges the ultrasound transducer element such that the ultrasound transmit waveform has a rise time based on the capacitance and one of an output impedance of the analog transducer driver and a drive current output by the analog transducer driver, the one of the output impedance and the drive current being selected such that the rise time is greater than one-fifth of a period given by a reciprocal of the fundamental frequency.