C1A: Transducer Evolution Flashcards
Did old static scanners used one or multiple crystals? And what shape was the crystal?
One crystal which was disc shaped
Do modern days probes use a single or an array of crystals?
An array of multiple crystals
How was the sound steered in early probes?
It was mechanically steered (the crystal had to rotate)
Is the focal zone fixed for mechanical transducers?
Yes
What is the names of the earliest probe technology where the crystal was mechanically moved across a track?
Linear translation
Describe a wobbler probe?
A wobbler probe has a fixed element on a motor that rotates back and fourth
What type of image does a wobbler probe produce?
Sector type image
What is the main downside of the construction of a wobbler probes?
They were filled with fluid and the moving parts produced air bubbles
With mechanical transducers what are the two items you can’t change?
Frequency
Focus
How do mechanical probes obtain a linear FOV?
By using a reflector or acoustic mirror to direct sound into the patient
How does an oscillating mirror probe work? What about oscillating element
It has a mirror that moved and a stationary element… opposite for oscillating element
How do rotating wheel probes work?
They have several crystals that spin and only pulse when the element passes the FOV
Why was the annular array probe one of the biggest advances in probe technology?
You had the ability to change the focus
How was an annular array probes steered?
Mechanically
How are annular array probes constructed?
It uses concentric discs to allow focusing of the beam
How does firing the different consecutive layers of an annular array probe effect the focus?
The wider the diameter of the concentric layer, the deeper the focal point and vice versa
How are annular array probes focused?
Electronically
But they’re still mechanically steered
What is one of the most significant problems with annular array probes?
The production of grating lobes
What are grating lobes called in mechanical probes?
They’re called side lobes and occur due to radial vibration
What are grating lobes caused by in annular away probes?
Caused by length and width vibration
What are grating lobes?
low energy beams that radiate away from the main axis and contribute to artifacts
How is the element arranged in electronic array probs?
They have many small elements aligned in a linear row
What are the two main types of arrays?
Phased array and Phased linear array
What is phasing?
Phasing is using nanosecond time deals to change when the voltage stimulate the crystal
Whats the purpose of phasing?
allows for beam focusing and steering
Whats another term that describes steering the sound beam?
Vector Scanning
How will an unsteered beam travel in comparison to a steered beam?
The unsteered beam will travel in a straight line, the steered beam with be angled one way or another.
What determines which way the beam angles?
Whichever side of the probe is stimulated first, the sound will travel away from the side (e.g. if L side is stimulated first, the beam will travel to the R side)