Patent ID: 8008835

Claim:
A cMUT comprising: a multi-element electrode having at least a first electrode element and a second electrode element, the first and second electrode elements being spaced apart from each, forming part of different circuits, and operatively configured to transmit or receive an ultrasonic wave separately from each other such that the first electrode element can transmit or receive an ultrasonic wave separately from the second electrode element receiving or transmitting an ultrasonic wave; and a membrane, the second electrode element being disposed proximate a central region of the membrane such that the second electrode element is positioned to actuate the central region of the membrane, the first electrode element being disposed generally between an edge region of the membrane and the central region to actuate a region intermediate the edge region and the central region, and the first electrode element and the second electrode element having cross-sectional widths less than the cross-sectional width of the membrane.