Array design for ultrasound imaging with simultaneous beams

Line acquisition speed is fundamental to enhancing the field of view and temporal resolution of real time ultrasonic volumetric (RT3D) imaging systems. A two-dimensional transducer array design is presented which, based on simulations, will permit multiple beams to be transmitted simultaneously in the field while maintaining good signal separation. In addition, each transmit beam exploits explososcanning, the capture of multiple receive lines for each individual transmit. Together these features enable a massively parallel scanning system that can generate a wide field of view while maintaining high temporal and spatial resolution.