High Frequency Ultrasound Arrays Mechanical Scanning

描述(申请人提供)：需要FCR高频超声 随着FINE功能的更多应用，探头变得越来越重要 眼睛、血管和皮肤的成像都得到了发展。然而，有一种 制造高频(30至75 MHz)线性和 相控阵换能器，其中最重要的是使大型 与阵列元素的细微尺度互连的数量，并构造 具有足够采样速度或通道的声波束形成电子设备 延迟解决。为了解决这些问题，替代换能器设计将 将开发由先进的高频复合材料和精密 用于机械扫描传感器的压电式致动器。自.以来 压电致动器的分辨率极高，阵列可以 容易移动的距离小于元素的节距。这项动议将 允许采集每个脉冲之间的空间位置的脉冲回波数据 元素。因此，空间采样将不再受 数组元素的间距。然后可以使用合成图像来重建图像 孔径极大地简化了阵列电子设备，避免了 高速波束成形器。因此，可以构造致动合成阵列 利用现有的电子技术。

Description (Provided by Applicant): The need fcr high frequency ultrasound probes is becoming increasingly important as more application for fine-featured imaging in the eye, blood vessels and skin are developed. However, there are a number of difficulties with fabricating high frequency (30 to 75 MHz) linear and phased array transducers the most important of which are making the large number of fine scales interconnects to the array elements, and constructing acoustic beam forming electronics with sufficient sampling speed or channel delay resolution. To solve these problems an alternative transducer design will be developed consisting of advance high frequency composites and a precision piezoelectric actuator to mechanically scan the transducer. Since the resolution of piezoelectric actuators is extremely high, the array can be easily moved over a distance less than the element pitch. This motion will allow pulse echo data to be acquired for spatial locations between each element. The spatial sampling will, therefore, no longer be limited by the pitch of the array elements. Images can then be reconstructed using a synthetic aperture to greatly simplify the array electronics avoiding the need for high-speed beam former. Thus the actuated synthetic array can be constructed using existing electronics technology.