A Computer-Controlled Transducer for Real-Time Three-Dimensional Imaging

Existing ultrasonic transducers and associated imaging systems are not ideal for high-resolution real-time three-dimensional imaging. Two mechanisms are required in such applications: dynamic focusing, and two-dimensional electronic scanning. These mechanisms are incorporated in a new computer-controlled acoustic transducer. This transducer is divided into a large number of individual acoustic elements, creating a two-dimensional phased array.

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