Abstract

A real-time ultrasonic imaging system is disclosed which includes an array of transducers adapted for propagating ultrasonic energy into a body to be ultrasonically examined and for receiving reradiated energy from points within the body. A plurality of signal channels each includes a transmitter branch and a receiver branch associated with respective transmit and receive transducers, or both branches may share a single transducer. A transmitter branch activates a transducer to propagate the sonic energy and a receiver branch receives from the transducer electrical signals corresponding to the reradiated energy. Memory means in each receiver branch receive and store data indicative of the signal level passed to the channel by its associated transducer. Display means are provided for receiving the data from the memory means in each of the channels and for combining and processing such data to effect a real-time display of the bodily portion being examined. Timing generator means in each of channels, connected to the transmitter and memory means associated with that channel, activate the respective transducers at predetermined times to phase the transducers to enable steering and focusing of the array. The timing generator means also function to gate data into the memory and at a later time to gate out the data from the memory (at predetermined intervals), thereby controlling the bodily points from which the reradiated sonic energy is received and to enable steering and focusing of the transducer array during the receiving operation of such array. Control logic means are connected to the timing generator means for enabling the former to provide signals to the memory means and transmitters in each of the said channels.