ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM USING AN ARRAY OF TRANSDUCER ELEMENTS AND AN IMAGING METHOD
FIG13 shows a schematic representation of a transducer die divided into sub-arrays
FIG13 shows an embodiment of the transducer die 54, wherein the transducers 56 are divided into sub-arrays. In the example shown in FIG13, the transducer die 54 is separated into one longitudinal sub-array 90 and two cross-sectional sub-arrays 92. By dividing the die into dedicated areas, such as those shown in FIG13, it is possible to generate a simultaneous biplane view. In other words, both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal view may be available at the same time.
schematic
72
second conductors second conductor
98
first bias voltage line
92
cross-sectional sub-arrays
94
circuit block
96
T/R line
100
second bias voltage line
56
transducers transducer
76
in direction
90
longitudinal sub-array
58
first circuits
54
transducer die
59
second circuits
13
cell cells
['1. An ultrasound system (9), comprising: an array (55) of transducer elements (56) grouped into element groups, wherein the element groups comprise: a plurality of first element groups having a first orientation; and a plurality of second element groups having a second orientation, different from the first orientation; a set of first conductors (70) with a first conductor shared between elements in each first element group and a set of second conductors (72) with a second conductor shared between elements in each second element group; a first plurality of bias voltage circuits (V B ); and a second plurality of transmit and receive circuits (T/R); wherein each element group is adapted to be activated for transmission or reception by the application of a bias voltage from a bias voltage circuit and controlled by a transmit and receive circuit, wherein the system is adapted to acquire: first ultrasound data in which the element groups of the array, or the element groups of a sub-array of the element groups, are activated by a bias voltage circuit via a first conductor; and second ultrasound data in which the element groups of the array, or the element groups of a sub-array of the element groups, are activated by a bias voltage circuit via a second conductor.']