Patent ID: 8827907

Claim:
A method of operating an ultrasound system to produce an ultrasound image, the method comprising: generating ultrasound at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (20 MHz) using an ultrasound scanhead that includes— a transducer assembly comprising a single element ultrasonic transducer and configured to transmit at least a portion of the generated ultrasound into a subject and to receive ultrasound energy from the subject; an elongate member having a first end, wherein the elongate member is configured to rotate about a pivot axis spaced from the first end, and wherein the transducer assembly is secured to the first end so that the ultrasonic transducer is configured to pivot along a reciprocating arcuate path; a nosepiece defining an enclosed volume that is sized to receive the transducer in the enclosed volume, wherein the nosepiece includes a fill port in fluid communication with the enclosed volume and configured to receive an acoustic coupling fluid therethrough, and wherein the nosepiece includes a removable acoustic window having a flexible frame with an arcuate front face and a membrane of a thin flexible film of sonolucent material that is acoustically penetrable at frequencies of 20 MHz or greater and that is secured to the arcuate front face of the frame, wherein the arcuate front face of the frame and the membrane are positioned equidistant from the front face of the transducer as the transducer is moved in the reciprocating arcuate path by the elongate member and that form a fluid tight seal to the nosepiece, wherein the acoustic window is configured to be removably secured to the nosepiece with an interference fit; a motor configured to oscillate the transducer along the reciprocating arcuate path at a frequency of at least 7.5 Hz; and a position encoder configured to produce a signal indicative of an angular position of the elongate member as the elongate member rotates about the pivot axis for use in determining the position of the transducer along its reciprocating arcuate path; transmitting at least a portion of the generated ultrasound from the transducer into a subject; receiving ultrasound energy from the subject; oscillating the transducer along the reciprocating arcuate path at a frequency of at least 7.5 Hz; receiving position signals from the position encoder indicating the angular position of the transducer through its range of motion along the reciprocating arcuate path; and producing the image using the received ultrasound energy and the position signals.