The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea

The Acoustical Society of Korea (한국음향학회)
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Ultrasonic Transducers for Medical Volumetric Imaging

  • Roh, Yong-Rae (School of Mechanical Engineering, Kyungpook National University)
  • Received : 2010.08.26
  • Accepted : 2010.09.27
  • Published : 2010.09.30
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Abstract

Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging is a new, exciting technology that allows physicians to use ultrasound to view pathology as a volume, thereby enhancing comprehension of patient anatomy. In this paper, a brief history of the 3-D ultrasound imaging is described in accordance with the development of transducer technology. Then, two representative types of 3-D imaging transducers are reviewed with description of the concept and operation principle of each type: mechanical transducer and matrix array transducer. The mechanical transducer is detailed into free-hand scanning and sequential scanning types. Advantages of each transducer over the other and the technical issues for further performance enhancement are also presented.

Keywords

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