US 12,345,810 B2
1.X-dimensional ultrasound transducer array with elevation control for aperture and associated devices, systems, and methods
Bernard Joseph Savord, Andover, MA (US)
Assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., Eindhoven (NL)
Appl. No. 18/028,250
Filed by KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., Eindhoven (NL)
PCT Filed Sep. 18, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/075734
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 24, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/069264, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 7, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/084,728, filed on Sep. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0375701 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. G01S 15/89 (2006.01); G01S 7/52 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 15/8915 (2013.01) [G01S 7/52033 (2013.01); G01S 7/5208 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
an ultrasound probe, comprising:
a housing;
a transducer array mechanically coupled to the housing, wherein the transducer array comprises a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a third acoustic element, wherein the first acoustic element is arranged between the second acoustic element and the third acoustic element in an elevation dimension, wherein the first acoustic element is configured to generate a first analog ultrasound signal, and the second acoustic element and the third acoustic element are electrically coupled to generate a second analog ultrasound signal;
a first amplifier disposed within the housing and in communication with the first acoustic element; and
a second amplifier and a third amplifier disposed within the housing and in communication with the second acoustic element and the third acoustic element,
wherein the first amplifier and the second amplifier are configured to apply gain to the first analog ultrasound signal and the second analog ultrasound signal, respectively, according to a first gain profile, and
wherein the third amplifier is configured to apply gain only to the second analog ultrasound signal according to a second gain profile that is different than the first gain profile.