Real-Time Volume Imaging Using a Crossed Electrode Array

This paper describes a unique crossed electrode array for real-time volume ultrasound imaging. By placing orthogonal linear array electrode patterns on the opposite sides of a hemispherically shaped composite transducer substrate, a 2-D array can be fabricated using a small fraction of the elements required for a traditional 2-D array. The performance of the array is investigated using a computer simulation of the radiation pattern. We show that by using a 288-element crossed electrode pattern it is possible to collect large field of view volume images (60 degrees x 60 degrees sector) at real-time frame rates (>20 volume images/s), with image contrast and resolution comparable to what can be obtained using a conventional 128-element linear phased array.