ULTRASOUND PROBE WITH LARGE FIELD OF VIEW AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING SUCH ULTRASOUND PROBE

摘要

An ultrasound transducer matrix array for an ultrasound probe having a large field of view both in azimuth and elevation direction is proposed. The ultrasound transducer matrix array(1') comprises a center region (11') and at least three branch regions (13) each comprising a 2-dimensional matrix array (5) of ultrasound transducer elements (3). The center region comprises at least three edges (15) from which the respective branch regions extend. Each branch region (13) is curved around an axis parallel to the edge (15) of the center region (11) from which the respective branch region (13) extends. With an ultrasound probe comprising such ultrasound transducer area with branch regions interconnected by a common, preferably flat center region, an ideal matrix array having a field of view with a spheroidal shape may be approximated.