High-speed ultrasound volumetric imaging system. I. Transducer design and beam steering

TLDR

The study develops a transducer design and phased array beam steering for a volumetric ultrasound scanner that enables real‑time 3‑D visualization of dynamic structures. The authors evaluate a high‑speed, online volumetric imaging system using a 2‑D array transducer, analyzing array designs for resolution and side‑lobe ratio via 2‑D FFT simulations and describing fabrication techniques. Experimental pulse‑echo point‑spread measurements of the 2‑D arrays agree with simulations, and sensitivity, bandwidth, and crosstalk were quantified.

Abstract

Transducer design and phased array beam steering are developed for a volumetric ultrasound scanner that enables the 3-D visualization of dynamic structures in real time. The authors describe the design considerations and preliminary evaluation of a high-speed, online volumetric ultrasound imaging system that uses the principles of pulse-echo, phased array scanning with a 2-D array transducer. Several 2-D array designs are analyzed for resolution and main lobe-side lobe ratio by simulation using 2-D fast Fourier transform methods. Fabrication techniques are described for 2-D array transducer. Experimental measurements of pulse-echo point spread responses for 2-D arrays agree with the simulations. Measurements of pulse-echo sensitivity, bandwidth, and crosstalk are included.