Catheter-mounted, phased-array ultrasound transducer with improved imaging

摘要

A phased-array ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a catheter. An end portion is mounted to the catheter around a transducer array, and the end portion defines an acoustic window which is essentially non- focusing to ultrasonic energy passing therethrough. Because the acoustic window is non-focusing, a relatively small radius of curvature can be used on the radially outer surface of this window.