摘要:
In an ultrasonic imaging apparatus utilizing an array type ultrasonic probe having a number of arrayed probe elements, high frequency pulse signals subject to different delays are supplied to respective probe elements so as to generate an acoustic beam which converges to a predetermined focal point. When receiving a reflection acoustic beam resulting from the converging beam, a plurality of signal lines extending from respective probe elements are connected in common to set up a plurality of element groups each having a plurality of adjacently arrayed elements and respective signals derived from respective element groups are differently delayed and added together to generate a reception signal representative of a reception beam having a predetermined focal point.
摘要:
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method of forming an image of an acoustic image of an object employing the aperture synthesis technique, in which at least one partial aperture for accommodating a predetermined number of successive transducers is established and applied to a transducer array to select the predetermined number of successive transducers accommodated in the partial aperture so that the selected transducers serve to transmit ultrasonic acoustic signals to an object and receive signals reflected from the object, and the at least one partial aperture is specifically moved along the arrayed transducers for similar signal transmission to and/or signal reception from the object, whereby the apparatus and the method do not suffer substantial noise caused during changeover between transmitting and receiving operation modes and/or enjoy and enlarged aperture for signal transmission or enlarged aperture for signal reception with a suppressed decrease of the frame rate.
摘要:
In an ultrasonic beam former for phasing and adding received signals supplied from respective elements of an ultrasonic transducer array and for producing the received output in conformity to a desired wave front, a plurality of sampling delay means for sampling and delaying the received signal supplied from each element are disposed for each channel. The plurality of delay means effect the sampling operation successively and alternately. Outputs of delay means are selected by switches activated in response to the alternate sampling operation. As a result, the sampling rate per signal channel is increased.
摘要:
A monolithic array ultrasonic transducer has a plurality of transducer elements formed thereon by isolating metallized areas on a piezoelectric plate without cutting the piezoelectric plate apart for each transducer element, and an acoustic matching layer having a longitudinal wave velocity within .+-.25% of a longitudinal wave velocity of the piezoelectric plate and a thickness equal to one half of that of the piezoelectric plate. The acoustic matching layer suppresses the radiation to an object of a partial wave in a direction of 60.degree. to a normal line to the plane of the piezoelectric plate.