Patent ID: 7307374

Claim:
An acoustic imaging system, comprising: a transducer including a two-dimensional transducer element matrix array, the transducer having a protective cover configured to mate with a transducer body, the protective cover superposed above the two-dimensional transducer element matrix such that acoustic energy incident at the protective cover is mechanically directed by the protective cover and wherein the transducer element matrix array is encased by the protective cover and the transducer body, the protective cover having a shape that includes a tissue-engagement surface and curved surfaces adjacent the tissue-engagement surface, the shape being configured to provide an optimum contact with a body to be imaged, wherein the curved surfaces are configured to align the tissue-engagement surface in relation to an acoustic window defined by geometry-limited access points of the body to be imaged, wherein a radius of curvature of the protective cover is greater than approximately three times a width of an area of the protective cover; and an image processing system coupled to the transducer configured provide a plurality of individualized excitation signals to the plurality of transducer elements over time such that the two-dimensional transducer element matrix array generates and transmits acoustic energy through the protective cover over time such that acoustic energy transmitted through the protective cover is electronically focused.