The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 16, 2004
Hideki Takeuchi, Mitaka, JP;
Hideki Takeuchi, Mitaka, JP;
Aloka Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A plurality of 2D sub arrays are defined on a 2D array transducer for effecting transmission and reception of ultrasound. For each sub array, a plurality of groups are set. More specifically, a plurality of (16, for example) transducer elements forming a sub array are grouped or divided into a plurality of (4, for example) groups. A multiplexer sums a plurality of receiving signals output from the plurality of transducer elements for each group, and generates a group receiving signal. A plurality of group receiving signals thus generated are then subjected to a sub phase adjusting and summing process to form a sub phase adjusted and summed signal. A plurality of sub phase adjusted and summed signals corresponding to the plurality of sub arrays are then subjected to a main phase adjusting and summing process. A sub phase adjusting and summing processing section is provided within a probe head, a cable connector, or an apparatus body. During transmission, the multiplexer supplies a transmitting signal to a plurality of transducer elements forming a group in parallel.