Coherent matrix of digital imaging system on a chip

Abstract

Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for ultrasound imaging specific to a matrix array of ultrasound transducer assemblies, each of which includes a matrix array of transducer elements and an ASIC coupled to the matrix array of transducer elements. The matrix array of ultrasound transducer assemblies can be assembled into various form factors. Virtual elements can be defined in gaps between the transducer assemblies. Synthesized receive signals can be generated for these virtual elements.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 375,097, filed September 9, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for ultrasound imaging, particularly three-dimensional (3D) imaging.

[0003] The following patent documents may be relevant: U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2021 / 0183832, 2021 / 0028792, 2020 / 0405271, 2020 / 0405267, 2020 / 0405266, 2020 / 0315586, 2019 / 0361102, 2019 / 0299251, 2019 / 0261954, 2019 / 0261955, 2018 / 0366102, 2018 / 0361 No. 431, No. 2019 / 0196012, No. 2019 / 0212424, No. 2019 / 0133556, No. 2016 / 0151045, No. 2019 / 0388059, No. 2015 / 029719 No. 3, No. 2017 / 0135676, No. 2016 / 0202349, No. 2016 / 0242739, No. 2017 / 0296144, No. 2017 / 0296145, No. 2014 / 0243676 , 2012 / 0143059, 2010 / 0249596, 2009 / 0326375, 2009 / 0240152, 2007 / 0016023, 2009 / 0007414, 2005 / 0068221, and 2001 / 0020130, as well as U.S. Patent Nos. 10,755,692, 10,857,567, 11,154,276, 10,641,879, Nos. 10,405,829, 9,592,032, 9,521,991, 9,439,625, 8,545,406, 8,416,643, 8,926,514, 8,834,369, 8,137,280, 6,937,176, 5,928,152, 5,675,554, 5,685,308, 5,555,534, and 5,970,025. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003]

[0004] The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0004]

[0005] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for ultrasound imaging, and in particular for 3D imaging using multiple transducer elements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005]

[0006] The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for a full-array digital 3D transmit and receive beamformer that can be integrated into an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which in turn can be integrated into a high-element-count two-dimensional (2D) array transducer, thereby reducing the cost, size, weight, and power of ultrasound imaging systems. Furthermore, these high-element-count 2D array transducers can be assembled into a variety of form factors to suit different use cases.

[0006]

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for performing ultrasound beamforming and imaging using multiple ultrasound transducer assemblies, each ultrasound transducer assembly including multiple transducer elements. An exemplary method can include (i) adjusting element coordinates of each transducer element for a relative tilt and offset of each transducer assembly with respect to a common coordinate system, (ii) calculating transmit delays and weights for each transducer element based on the adjusted element coordinates and a transmit focal angle and depth, (iii) transmitting pulses and receiving echoes from an object to be imaged, (iv) processing receive signals for each transducer element, (v) combining receive signals for one or more virtual elements in one or more gaps between the ultrasound transducer assemblies, and (vi) forming a dynamically focused receive beam based on the processed receive signals of the one or more transducer elements and the combined receive signals of the one or more virtual elements.

[0007]

[0008] In some embodiments, step (iv) comprises amplifying the receive signal for each transducer element and digitizing the amplified receive signal for each transducer element.

[0008]

[0009] In some embodiments, step (v) includes defining virtual elements for one or more gaps between the ultrasonic transducer assemblies and generating a combined receive signal for the virtual element using the processed receive signals of one or more transducer elements. In some embodiments, generating a combined receive signal for each virtual element includes identifying a transducer element closest to the each virtual element and assigning the processed receive signal from the each element as the combined receive signal for the each virtual element. In some embodiments, generating a combined receive signal for each virtual element includes identifying a first closest transducer element on a first ultrasonic transducer assembly on a first side of the each gap, identifying a second closest transducer element on a second transducer assembly on a second side of the each gap opposite the first side, generating a linear interpolation of the processed receive signals of the first and second closest transducer elements, and assigning the linear interpolation as the combined receive signal for the each virtual element.

[0009]

[0010] In some embodiments, step (vi) includes: (a) calculating delays and weights for each transducer element and virtual element based on the adjusted element coordinates and the receive angle and focal depth; (b) applying delays and weights to the amplified and digitized receive signals of one or more transducer elements and the combined receive signals of one or more virtual elements; and (c) summing the delayed and weighted receive signals of all transducer elements and virtual elements of the multiple ultrasound transducer assemblies to form a dynamically focused receive beam.

[0010]

[0011] In some embodiments, steps (iv)-(vi) are repeated using echoes received in response to multiple transmit beams with the same receive beam line of sight but different lateral foci, and the formed receive beams are aligned in time and coherently summed to form a composite receive beam.

[0011]

[0012] In some embodiments, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is integrated with at least one ultrasound transducer assembly, and the ASIC performs one or more of steps (i)-(vi) to form the dynamically focused receive beam.

[0012]

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is composed of one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), or bulk PZT transducer elements.

[0013]

[0014] In some embodiments, the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies constitute a matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, hi some embodiments, the matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies comprises a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0014]

[0015] In some embodiments, the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasound transducer assembly comprises a two-dimensional matrix of transducer elements.

[0015]

[0016] In some embodiments, multiple ultrasound transducer assemblies are provided on the wearable device.

[0017] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for imaging an object.

[0016]

[0018] An exemplary method may include generating an image of a target object using an imaging device, the imaging device comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, the control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies according to any of the methods described herein.

[0017]

[0019] Another exemplary method may include providing an imaging device for generating an image of a target object, the imaging device comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, the control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies according to any of the methods described herein.

[0018]

[0020] Another exemplary method may include providing a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly including a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, tiling the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in a matrix configuration, and acquiring an image of a target object using the tiled plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies are operably coupled to control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies according to any of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, tiling the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies includes arranging the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

[0019]

[0021] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for imaging a target object. An exemplary system can include a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies, each including a plurality of transducer elements, and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies and configured to operate the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies according to any of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, the ultrasound transducer assemblies are tileable in a matrix configuration. In some embodiments, the matrix configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

[0020]

[0022] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for imaging a target object. An exemplary method can include providing a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies, each including a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, tiling the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies in a matrix or array configuration, and acquiring an image of the target object using the tiled plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies.

[0021]

[0023] In some embodiments, the matrix or array configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

[0022]

[0024] In some embodiments, each ultrasound transducer assembly further comprises an integrated application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0025] In some embodiments, each of the multiple ultrasonic transducer assemblies is adjusted for relative tilt and offset with respect to a common coordinate system for the multiple ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0023]

[0026] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for imaging a target object. An exemplary system may include: (a) a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies, each ultrasound transducer assembly including a plurality of transducer elements; and (b) control circuitry operatively coupled to the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies and configured to operate the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies, wherein the ultrasound transducer assemblies may be tiled in a matrix or array configuration.

[0024]

[0027] In some embodiments, the matrix or array configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

[0025]

[0028] In some embodiments, when tiled in a matrix or array configuration, there are one or more gaps between adjacent ultrasound transducer assemblies.

[0026]

[0029] In some embodiments, each ultrasonic transducer assembly comprises an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) operably coupled to and integrated with the plurality of transducer assemblies associated with each ultrasonic transducer assembly.

[0027]

[0030] In some embodiments, each of the multiple ultrasonic transducer assemblies is adjusted for relative tilt and offset with respect to a common coordinate system for the multiple ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0028]

[0031] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is composed of one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), or bulk PZT transducer elements.

[0029]

[0032] In some embodiments, the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasound transducer assembly comprises a matrix or array of transducer elements.

[0030]

[0033] In some embodiments, the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasound transducer assembly comprises a two-dimensional matrix of transducer elements.

[0031]

[0034] In some embodiments, the exemplary system further comprises a wearable housing configured to hold a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies in a matrix or array configuration.

[0032]

[0035] In some embodiments, the wearable housing is a patch or band.

[0036] Additional features and advantages of the present technology will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the technology. The advantages of the present technology will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the description and embodiments set forth herein, as well as the accompanying drawings.

[0033]

[0037] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the present technology.

[0038] Various features of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which include the following figures:

[0034]

[0039] The novel features of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1]

[0040] FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of an ultrasound system that uses a transducer assembly consisting of a 2D array of transducers, an ASIC implemented on a PCB with additional circuitry, and a remote processor with a user interface and display, according to some embodiments. [Figure 2]

[0041] 1A-1C illustrate exemplary form factors of one or more tileable ultrasound transducer assemblies, according to some embodiments. [Figure 3A]

[0042] FIG. 10 illustrates graphs of one-way aperture functions for an exemplary 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with no gap (solid line), a 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (spaced dashed line), a 35 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (dotted line), and an 11 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (dotted line), according to some embodiments. [Figure 3B]

[0043] 10A-10C illustrate graphs of one-way lateral response of an exemplary 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with no gap (solid line), a 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (spaced dashed line), a 35 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (dotted line), and an 11 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (closed dashed line), according to some embodiments. [Figure 4A]

[0044] 10A-10C illustrate graphs of bidirectional aperture functions for an exemplary 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with no gap (solid line), a 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (spaced dashed line), a 35 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (dotted line), and an 11 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (closed dashed line), in accordance with some embodiments. [Figure 4B]

[0045] 10A-10C illustrate graphs of bidirectional lateral responses of an exemplary 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with no gap (solid line), a 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (spaced dashed line), a 35 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (dotted line), and an 11 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (closed dashed line), according to some embodiments. [Figure 5A]

[0046] 1 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of ultrasound beamforming and ultrasound imaging using multiple tileable ultrasound transducer assemblies, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5B]

[0047] 10 is a further decomposed flow diagram of forming dynamically focused receive beams based on processed receive signals and synthesized receive signals according to some embodiments. [Figure 6]

[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates a graph of the lateral response of an exemplary 128 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration array with four missing intermediate ultrasonic transducer assemblies, in accordance with some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036]

[0049] It is to be understood that various configurations of the present technology will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, and that the various configurations of the present technology have been shown and described by way of example. As will be understood, the present technology is capable of other different configurations, and its several details can be modified in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the summary, drawings, and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

[0037]

[0050] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the present technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the present technology can be practiced. The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and form part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present technology can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present technology. For ease of understanding, similar components are designated with the same element numbers. Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the present invention belongs. Ultrasound Imaging System

[0051] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasound imaging system disclosed herein. The imaging system may include an ASIC 100, preferably integrated with a transducer 200. The transducer may be a one- or two-dimensional array of pMUTs (piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers), cMUTs (capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers), or bulk PZT elements. The ASIC and transducer array are typically mounted on a PCB 300. The PCB may have additional circuitry such as a microprocessor, power supply (battery, regulator), clock, memory, and / or input / output devices.

[0038]

[0052] The ASIC, transducer array, and PCB form a transducer assembly 400. To keep the footprint small, the area of ​​the transducer assembly may match the area of ​​the transducer array. The transducer assembly can be packaged in a patch or a wearable or holdable housing.

[0039]

[0053] The transducer assembly can communicate via input / output devices with a remote processor 500, which may include a user interface, display, and memory. The processor can be a mobile device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, pad, or laptop, or a desktop computer. The processor can perform image processing, plane and volume rendering, and connect to networks and databases such as electronic health records. Communication between the transducer assembly and the remote processor can be wired or wireless using standard communication protocols.

[0040]

[0054] The transducer assembly's microprocessor may initialize the ASIC with a small set of parameters, such as the imaging frequency and transmit and receive f-numbers, and then provide the transmit and receive beam parameters (beam origin, angle, focal depth) for each pulse-echo (transmit-receive) event in the scan sequence. A delay and weight computer on the ASIC may calculate the transmit and receive beamforming parameters (delays and weights) for each beam defined by the transmit and receive beam parameters. The ASIC may send steered and focused transmit pulses, receive echoes from the tissue at each transducer element, and form receive beams using the delays and weights calculated by the ASIC. The output of the ASIC is typically a fully formed beam using the full aperture.

[0041]

[0055] Ultrasound transducer assemblies comprising a matrix array of transducer elements and an ASIC operably coupled to such matrix array are described in PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 011417, filed January 6, 2022, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17,569,805, filed January 6, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042]

[0056] Another aspect provided herein according to FIG. 2 is a system for imaging a target object. In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies 400, each comprising a plurality of transducer elements; and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies 400 and configured to operate the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies 400, wherein the ultrasound transducer assemblies 400 are tileable in a matrix configuration. In some embodiments, each ultrasound transducer assembly 400 comprises a plurality of transducers (e.g., 64×64, 64×24, 48×24). In some embodiments, the tileability and modularity of the ultrasound transducer assemblies 400 herein allows for their formation in a matrix of variable acoustic window sizes and capabilities. In some embodiments, the acoustic window size is the area through which a patient's body can be imaged.

[0043]

[0057] In some embodiments, different clinical applications, such as pediatric, cardiac, abdominal, obstetric, vascular, breast tomography, and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), require different array sizes for different applications. Accordingly, Figure 2 shows that the ultrasound transducer assembly 400 can be tiled as a single assembly or multiple assemblies in one or more linear or partially curved dimensions for use in applications with different window size requirements.

[0044]

[0058] In some embodiments, the transducer assembly 400 can be tiled into various array or matrix configurations. In some embodiments, the matrix configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional array or matrix, a curved array or matrix, or a flat array or matrix. In some embodiments, the array or matrix configuration comprises a standalone configuration 505, a one-dimensional array configuration 510 or 515, a two-dimensional matrix configuration 520, a curved one-dimensional array configuration 525, or a curved two-dimensional matrix configuration. The one-dimensional array configuration may comprise a one-dimensional array configuration 510 having two assemblies or a one-dimensional array configuration 515 having four assemblies.

[0045]

[0059] In some embodiments, the matrix configuration 505 provides advantages in wearable ultrasound devices or patches, vascular, abdominal, or pulmonary imaging devices, or surgical guide devices, to name a few. In some embodiments, the one-dimensional matrix configurations 510, 515 provide advantages in cardiac, abdominal, breast, and vascular imaging applications, to name a few. In some embodiments, the two-dimensional matrix configuration 520 provides advantages, for example, in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) applications. In some embodiments, the curved one-dimensional matrix configuration 525 or the curved two-dimensional matrix configuration provides advantages, for example, in tomography. In some embodiments, the modified standalone matrix configuration 530 provides advantages for intracardiac echocardiography (ICE).

[0046]

[0060] In some embodiments, when tiled in a matrix configuration, there are one or more gaps between adjacent ultrasonic transducer assemblies 400. In some embodiments, each ultrasonic transducer assembly 400 comprises an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) operably coupled to and integrated with the plurality of transducer assemblies 400 for each ultrasonic transducer assembly 400. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies 400 is comprised of one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), or bulk PZT transducer elements. In some embodiments, the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly 400 comprises a matrix array of transducer elements.

[0047]

[0061] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a wearable housing configured to hold in a matrix configuration a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies 400. In some embodiments, the wearable housing is a patch or a band. Method for ultrasound beamforming and imaging - Patent Application 20070122997

[0062] In some embodiments, manufacturing a matrix configuration that maintains zero gaps between transducer assemblies is difficult and costly due to manufacturing tolerances and capabilities, but these gaps can create discontinuities in the aperture function when the gap is in the active transmit and / or receive aperture, which can increase sidelobes and therefore acoustic clutter and reduce contrast resolution.

[0048]

[0063] 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B show graphs of the one-way aperture function (FIG. 3A) and the respective one-way lateral response (FIG. 3B) when the gap between the transducer assemblies is centered in the active transmit or receive aperture, and the two-way (round-trip) aperture function (FIG. 4A) and the respective two-way lateral response (FIG. 4B) when the gap is centered in both the transmit and receive apertures, for an exemplary 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration without a gap (shown in solid lines), a 131 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (shown in spaced dashed lines), a 35 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (shown in dotted lines), and an 11 ultrasonic transducer assembly configuration with a three-element gap (shown in dense dashed lines). The aperture functions are plotted in zigzag amplitude for a given gap width, but for different active aperture widths representing different selections of f-number or focal depth. The unidirectional lateral response represents the performance of the dynamic receive focus at depths far from the transmit focus, while the bidirectional (confocal) response represents the performance at the transmit focus depth assuming receive focus. The horizontal axis on the lateral response plots here is scaled by the aperture width to match the beamwidths for different aperture widths and to easily compare their impact on sidelobe levels. As the ratio of aperture width to gap width decreases, the sidelobes increase from approximately -13 dB to approximately -4 dB for the unidirectional response and from approximately -26 dB to approximately -8 dB for the bidirectional response (shallow depth imaging) as the aperture shrinks to a few elements around the gap. A gap in the center of the active transmit and / or receive aperture can create an undesirable scenario: as the active aperture centroid (beam origin) moves away from the gap, the sidelobes approach the nominal sidelobes and eventually coincide with them when the active aperture no longer contains the gap.In some embodiments, when ultrasound transducer assemblies are non-coplanar, as shown in the curved one-dimensional array configuration 525 in FIG. 2, the coherent (phase-sensitive) sum of their output beams blurs the focus, reducing lateral resolution and sensitivity and increasing acoustic clutter.

[0049]

[0064] Accordingly, methods and systems are provided herein for reducing side lobes caused by spaces between ultrasound transducer assemblies and achieving coherence across and between non-coplanar ultrasound transducer assemblies.

[0050]

[0065] In some embodiments, the methods and systems herein employ input parameters to an on-chip delay and aperture weight (apodization) computer for delay and weight computers that extend beyond the boundaries of individual ultrasound transducer assemblies. In some embodiments, digital channel data from edge columns (rows) of adjacent matrix-configured arrays is interpolated to create composite data for missing columns (rows) in the space between ultrasound transducer assemblies. In some embodiments, the received composite channel data is then delayed and summed to form receive beams. In some embodiments, the interpolation between columns (rows) of digital channel data may be nearest-neighbor interpolation, linear interpolation, cubic interpolation, or any combination thereof. The interpolation and beamforming across the missing columns can be processed by each ultrasound transducer assembly or by an external processor and added to the matrix-configured output.

[0051]

[0066] FIG. 5A shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method 5000 for ultrasound beamforming and imaging using multiple ultrasound transducer assemblies. In step 5100, a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies or a matrix of ultrasound transducer assemblies as described herein may be provided. As described herein, each ultrasound transducer assembly may comprise a plurality of transducer elements. In step 5200, a common coordinate system may be established for the ultrasound transducer assemblies. In step 5300, element coordinates of each transducer element may be adjusted to account for the relative tilt and offset of each transducer assembly with respect to the common coordinate system. In step 5400, transmit delays and weights for each transducer element may be calculated based on the adjusted element coordinates and the transmit focal angle and depth. In step 5500, ultrasound pulses may be transmitted to an object to be imaged using the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies or a matrix of ultrasound transducer assemblies. In step 5600, echo signals may be received from the object. In step 5700, the received signals for each transducer element may be processed. In step 5800, receive signals for one or more virtual elements in the gap between the ultrasound transducer assemblies may be synthesized. In step 5900, dynamically focused receive beams may be formed based on the processed receive signals of the one or more transducer elements and the synthesized receive signals of the one or more virtual elements. In step 5999, one or more ultrasound images may be formed based on the receive beams. These images may be two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D).

[0052]

[0067] Referring back to step 5700, the received signal of each transducer element can be processed by step 5710, which amplifies the received signal of each transducer element, and step 5720, which digitizes the amplified received signal of each transducer element.

[0053]

[0068] Referring back to step 5800, receive signals for the virtual elements can be synthesized by step 5810 defining virtual elements for one or more gaps between ultrasonic transducer assemblies and step 5820 generating a synthesized receive signal for the virtual element using processed receive signals of one or more transducer elements. In some embodiments, generating a synthesized receive signal for each virtual element includes identifying a transducer element closest to the each virtual element and assigning the processed receive signal from the each element as the synthesized receive signal for the each virtual element. In some embodiments, generating a synthesized receive signal for each virtual element includes identifying a first closest transducer element on a first ultrasonic transducer assembly on a first side of the each gap, identifying a second closest transducer element on a second transducer assembly on a second side of the each gap opposite the first side, generating a linear interpolation of the processed receive signals of the first and second closest transducer elements based on their distances to the virtual element, and assigning the linear interpolation as the synthesized receive signal for the each virtual element.

[0054]

[0069] 5B shows an exemplary decomposition flow diagram of step 5900. In step 5900, a dynamically focused receive beam can be formed by step 5910 of calculating delays and weights for each transducer element and virtual element based on the adjusted transducer and virtual element coordinates and the receive angle and focal depth, step 5920 of applying delays and weights to the amplified and digitized receive signals of one or more transducer elements and the combined receive signals of one or more virtual elements, and step 5930 of summing the delayed and weighted receive signals of all transducer elements and virtual elements of the multiple ultrasound transducer assemblies to form the dynamically focused receive beam.

[0055]

[0070] While the above techniques can reduce side lobes due to discontinuities (gaps) in the receive aperture function, side lobes due to discontinuities in the transmit aperture function may still remain. In some embodiments, many of the steps of method 5000 can be repeated for the same receive beam but for different transmit angles and / or from different transmit focal points in step 5940, and receive beams formed in response to spatially distinct transmit beams can be aligned in time and coherently summed to form a combined receive beam in step 5950. This technique, commonly referred to as dynamic transmit focusing or retrospective transmit focusing, is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,241,216 and 8,690,781, which are incorporated herein by reference. This technique can be used to improve focusing away from the static transmit focal depth of conventional beamforming. In many embodiments, this corresponds to transmit aperture synthesis, in which a wide, continuous, coherent transmit aperture is synthesized for all depths along the receive line of sight (beam) from narrower, coherent (i.e., constant-phase) segments of a set of transmit beams with different lateral focal points (e.g., different illumination angles). For a given transmit beam, the segment of the (static) transmit aperture function that coherently contributes to a particular receive beam sample may be centered at the intersection of the transmit aperture and a line connecting the transmit focal point and the receive sample. It may therefore vary as a function of receive focal depth and angle. Note that in these conventional techniques, the contributing transmit beams may have continuous aperture functions. In many embodiments herein, transmit beams with coherent segments that fall into the aperture gap are excluded from transmit aperture synthesis.

[0056]

[0071] While the above steps illustrate method 5000 according to many embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize many variations based on the teachings herein. Steps may be completed in different orders. Steps may be added or deleted. Some of the steps may include substeps. Many of the steps may be repeated an advantageous number of times. Many of the steps may be performed by processing circuitry.

[0057]

[0072] As an example of the implemented method and for comparison, Figure 6 shows a graph of the lateral response of a 128-element array with a λ pitch (i.e., a 128λ aperture) with four missing elements in the center. Here, the transmit beam is focused to a depth of 32λ at f / 2, and the receive beam is dynamically focused at f / 1. A 3x3 grid of pin targets is at depths of 16, 32, and 48λ, with uniform 16λ spacing, across an azimuth span from -16λ to 16λ. The thick solid plot is the lateral response of a reference array with no central gap. The thin dashed plot is for an array with a gap but no gap correction. For the other two cases, the gap in the transmit aperture is not corrected. The gap in the receive aperture is corrected by first creating synthetic channel data for virtual elements in the gap, then applying a delay to the synthetic data using the coordinates for the virtual elements. The composite channel data is created by replicating the received signal of the nearest element (plotted by the thick dashed line) and linearly interpolating the received signals of the elements on either side of the gap (plotted by the thin solid line). Note that the gap in the middle increases the side lobes for the target at the center.

[0058]

[0073] In some embodiments, the (x, y, z) coordinates of each pixel in the matrix array are programmable, and the programmed coordinates become inputs to the delay computer of the transducer assembly. Deterministic tilt (e.g., tilt introduced during manufacturing) can then be corrected by an input parameter generator before being transferred to the transducer assembly. Tilt that changes over time or with use (e.g., multi-transducer assembly patches on flexible substrates) can be corrected by an adaptive focusing algorithm that varies the planar tilt estimate until the coherent sum of the DISC matrix is ​​maximized.

[0059]

[0074] The methods described herein can also be used to create incoherent matrices of transducer assemblies that are aligned for spatial compounding. Terms and Definitions

[0075] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0060]

[0076] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. References herein to "or" are intended to include "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0061]

[0077] As used herein, the term "about" in some instances refers to an amount that is approximately the same as the stated amount.

[0078] As used herein, the term "about" refers to an amount near the stated amount, including increments of 10%, 5%, or 1%, by 10%, 5%, or 1%, and the like.

[0062]

[0079] As used herein, the term "about" in reference to a percentage refers to an amount that is 10%, 5%, or 1% more or less than the stated percentage, including increments.

[0063]

[0080] As used herein, the words "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that function as both conjunctions and disjuncts. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and / or C" mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C, respectively.

[0064]

[0081] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, modifications, and alternatives will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, it should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed. Many different combinations of the embodiments described herein are possible, and such combinations are considered part of the present disclosure. Furthermore, all features discussed in connection with any one embodiment herein can be readily adapted for use with the other embodiments herein. The following claims define the scope of the present disclosure, and it is intended that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. Examples of this technology as clauses

[0082] Various examples of aspects of the present disclosure are described as numbered clauses (1, 2, 3, etc.) for convenience. These are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the present technology. Figure and reference number identification is provided below for illustrative purposes only as examples, and the clauses are not limited by those identifications.

[0065]

[0083] Clause 1. A method for ultrasound beamforming and imaging using multiple ultrasound transducer assemblies, each ultrasound transducer assembly comprising multiple transducer elements, the method including: (i) adjusting element coordinates of each transducer element for a relative tilt and offset of each transducer assembly with respect to a common coordinate system; (ii) calculating transmit delays and weights for each transducer element based on the adjusted element coordinates and a transmit focal angle and depth; (iii) transmitting pulses and receiving echoes from an object to be imaged; (iv) processing the receive signals of each transducer element; (v) combining receive signals for one or more virtual elements in gaps between the ultrasound transducer assemblies; and (vi) forming a dynamically focused receive beam based on the processed receive signals of the one or more transducer elements and the combined receive signals of the one or more virtual elements.

[0066]

[0084] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein step (iv) comprises: (a) amplifying the received signal for each transducer element; and (b) digitizing the amplified received signal for each transducer element.

[0067]

[0085] Clause 3. The method of clause 1 or 2, wherein step (v) includes: (a) defining a virtual element for one or more gaps between the ultrasonic transducer assemblies; and (b) using the processed receive signals of one or more transducer elements to generate a synthesized receive signal for the virtual element.

[0068]

[0086] Clause 4. The method of clause 3, wherein the step of generating a combined receive signal for each virtual element includes the steps of identifying a transducer element closest to the each virtual element and assigning the processed receive signal from the each element as the combined receive signal for the each virtual element.

[0069]

[0087] Clause 5. The method of clause 3 or 4, wherein the step of generating a combined receive signal for each virtual element includes the steps of identifying a first closest transducer element on a first ultrasonic transducer assembly on a first side of the each gap, identifying a second closest transducer element on a second transducer assembly on a second side of the each gap opposite the first side, generating a linear interpolation of the processed receive signals of the first and second closest transducer elements, and assigning the linear interpolation as the combined receive signal for the each virtual element.

[0070]

[0088] Clause 6. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein step (vi) includes: (a) calculating delays and weights for each transducer element and virtual element based on the adjusted element coordinates and the receive angle and focal depth; (b) applying delays and weights to the amplified and digitized receive signals of one or more transducer elements and the combined receive signals of one or more virtual elements; and (c) summing the delayed and weighted receive signals of all transducer elements and virtual elements of the multiple ultrasound transducer assemblies to form a dynamically focused receive beam.

[0071]

[0089] Clause 7. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein steps (iv) to (vi) are repeated using echoes received in response to multiple transmit beams having different foci relative to the receive beam line of sight but laterally, and the formed receive beams are aligned in time and coherently summed to form a composite receive beam.

[0072]

[0090] Clause 8. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is integrated with at least one ultrasound transducer assembly, and the ASIC performs one or more of steps (i) to (vi) to form a dynamically focused receive beam.

[0073]

[0091] Clause 9. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is comprised of one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), or bulk PZT transducer elements.

[0074]

[0092] Clause 10. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies constitutes a matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0075]

[0093] Clause 11. The method of clause 10, wherein the matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies comprises a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a flat matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0076]

[0094] Clause 12. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly comprises a two-dimensional matrix of transducer elements.

[0077]

[0095] Clause 13. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 12, further comprising providing a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies on the wearable device.

[0096] Clause 14. A method for imaging a target object, comprising generating an image of the target object using an imaging device, the imaging device comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, the control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in accordance with the method of any one of clauses 1 to 13.

[0078]

[0097] Clause 15. A method of imaging a target object, comprising the step of providing an imaging device for generating an image of the target object, the imaging device comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, the control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in accordance with the method of any one of clauses 1 to 14.

[0079]

[0098] Clause 16. A method for imaging a target object, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; tiling the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in a matrix configuration; and acquiring an image of the target object using the tiled plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies are operably coupled to control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in accordance with the method of any one of clauses 1 to 15.

[0080]

[0099] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein the step of tiling the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies includes arranging the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a flat matrix or array.

[0081]

[0100] Clause 18. A system for imaging a target object, comprising: a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising a plurality of transducer elements; and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in accordance with the method of any one of clauses 1 to 17.

[0082]

[0101] Clause 19. The system of clause 18, wherein the ultrasonic transducer assembly is tileable in a matrix configuration.

[0102] Clause 20. The system of clause 19, wherein the matrix configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a flat matrix or array.

[0083]

[0103] Clause 21. A method for imaging a target object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly including a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; tiling the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in a matrix or array configuration; and acquiring an image of the target object using the plurality of tiled ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0084]

[0104] Clause 22. The method of clause 21, wherein the matrix or array configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

[0085]

[0105] Clause 23. The method of clause 21 or 22, wherein each ultrasonic transducer assembly further comprises an integrated application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0106] Clause 24. The method of any one of clauses 21 to 23, wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is adjusted for relative tilt and offset with respect to a common coordinate system for the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0086]

[0107] Clause 25. A system for imaging a target object, comprising: (a) a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly including a plurality of transducer elements; and (b) control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, wherein the ultrasonic transducer assemblies are tileable in a matrix or array configuration.

[0087]

[0108] Clause 26. The system of clause 25, wherein the matrix or array configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

[0088]

[0109] Clause 27. The system of clause 25 or 26, wherein when tiled in a matrix or array configuration, there are one or more gaps between adjacent ultrasound transducer assemblies.

[0089]

[0110] Clause 28. The system of any one of clauses 25 to 27, wherein each ultrasonic transducer assembly includes, for each ultrasonic transducer assembly, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) operably coupled to and integrated with the plurality of transducer assemblies.

[0090]

[0111] Clause 29. A system as described in any one of clauses 25 to 28, wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is adjusted for relative tilt and offset with respect to a common coordinate system for the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

[0091]

[0112] Clause 30. A system described in any one of clauses 25 to 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is comprised of one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), or bulk PZT transducer elements.

[0092]

[0113] Clause 31. A system described in any one of clauses 25 to 30, wherein the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly constitutes a matrix or array of transducer elements.

[0093]

[0114] Clause 32. A system described in any one of clauses 25 to 31, wherein the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly form a two-dimensional matrix of transducer elements.

[0094]

[0115] Clause 33. The system of any one of clauses 25 to 32, further comprising a wearable housing configured to hold a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies in a matrix or array configuration.

[0095]

[0116] Clause 34. The system of clause 33, wherein the wearable housing is a patch or band. Further considerations

[0117] In some embodiments, any clause herein may be dependent on any one of the independent clauses or any one of the dependent clauses. In an aspect, any clause (e.g., a dependent or independent clause) may be combined with any other clause or clauses (e.g., a dependent or independent clause). In an aspect, a claim may include some or all of the words (e.g., steps, actions, means, or components) recited in a clause, sentence, phrase, or paragraph. In an aspect, a claim may include some or all of the words recited in one or more clauses, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs. In an aspect, some of the words in each clause, sentence, phrase, or paragraph may be deleted. In an aspect, additional words or elements may be added to a clause, sentence, phrase, or paragraph. In an aspect, the technology may be implemented without utilizing some of the components, elements, functions, or operations described herein. In an aspect, the technology may be implemented using additional components, elements, functions, or operations.

[0096]

[0118] The above description is provided to enable one skilled in the art to practice the various configurations described herein. While the present technology has been particularly described with reference to various diagrams and configurations, it should be understood that these are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present technology.

[0097]

[0119] There may be many other ways to implement the present technology. The various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently than shown without departing from the scope of the present technology. Various modifications to these configurations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other configurations. Thus, many changes and modifications may be made to the present technology by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present technology.

[0098]

[0120] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed is an example of sample approaches. It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged based on design preferences. Some of the steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0099]

[0121] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" following a series of items, in conjunction with the terms "and" or "or" separating any items, modifies the entire list, rather than each member (i.e., each item) of the list. The phrase "at least one of" does not require the selection of at least one of each item listed, but rather allows for the meaning of including at least one of any one item, and / or at least one of any combination of items, and / or at least one of each item. By way of example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" refer to A only, B only, or C only, any combination of A, B, and C, and / or at least one of each of A, B, and C, respectively.

[0100]

[0122] As used in this disclosure, terms such as "upper," "lower," "front," and "rear" should be understood to represent an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than the typical gravitational frame of reference. Thus, upper, lower, front, and rear surfaces may extend upward, downward, diagonally, or horizontally within the gravitational frame of reference.

[0101]

[0123] Furthermore, to the extent that terms such as "including," "having," and the like are used in this specification or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the interpretation of the term "comprising" when employed as a transitional term in the claims.

[0102]

[0124] As used herein, the term "about" is relative to the actual value being described and allows for approximations, imprecision, and measurement limits under the relevant circumstances, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one or more embodiments, the terms "about," "substantially," and "approximately" can provide an industry-accepted tolerance for their corresponding terms and / or relativities between items.

[0103]

[0125] As used herein, the term "comprises" indicates the presence of a specified integer, but allows for the possibility that other unspecified integers may be present. The term does not imply any particular percentage of the specified integers. Corresponding inflections of the word "comprises," such as "comprise" and "comprises," have similar meanings.

[0104]

[0126] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0105]

[0127] Reference to an element in the singular is intended to mean "one or more," not "one" unless otherwise specified. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter pronouns (e.g., her and its), and vice versa. The term "some" refers to one or more. Underlined and / or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the present technology, and are not to be referenced in connection with interpreting the description of the present technology. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of various configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present technology. Furthermore, the content disclosed herein is not intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly set forth in the above specification.

[0106]

[0128] While the detailed description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present technology, but merely as illustrating various examples and aspects of the present technology. It should be understood that the scope of the present technology also includes other embodiments not discussed in detail above. Various other modifications, changes, and variations can be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus of the present technology disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a device or method need not address every problem solvable (or possess every advantage realizable) by various embodiments of the present disclosure to be within the scope of the present disclosure. The use of "may" and its derivatives herein should be understood in the sense of "possibly" or "optionally," rather than an affirmative capability.

Claims

1. 1. A method for performing ultrasound beamforming and imaging using a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies, each ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a plurality of transducer elements, the method comprising: adjusting the element coordinates of each transducer element for the relative tilt and offset of each transducer assembly with respect to a common coordinate system; calculating a transmit delay and weight for each transducer element based on the adjusted element coordinates and the transmit focal angle and depth; transmitting pulses and receiving echoes from the object to be imaged; processing the received signal of each transducer element; synthesizing received signals for one or more virtual elements in a gap between the ultrasonic transducer assemblies; forming a dynamically focused receive beam based on the processed receive signals of the one or more transducer elements and the combined receive signals of the one or more virtual elements; A method comprising:

2. Step (iv) is amplifying the received signal of each transducer element; digitizing the amplified received signal for each transducer element; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. Step (v) defining a virtual element for the one or more gaps between the ultrasonic transducer assemblies; generating the synthesized receive signal for the virtual element using the processed receive signals of the one or more transducer elements; 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein generating the combined receive signal for each virtual element comprises identifying a transducer element closest to the each virtual element; and assigning the processed receive signal from the each element as the combined receive signal for the each virtual element.

5. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein generating the combined receive signal for each virtual element includes identifying a first closest transducer element on a first ultrasonic transducer assembly on a first side of each gap, identifying a second closest transducer element on a second transducer assembly on a second side of each gap opposite the first side, generating a linear interpolation of the processed receive signals of the first and second closest transducer elements, and assigning the linear interpolation as the combined receive signal for the each virtual element.

6. Step (vi) calculating delays and weights for each transducer element and virtual element based on the adjusted element coordinates, receive angle and focal depth; applying the delays and weights to the amplified and digitized receive signals of the one or more transducer elements and the combined receive signals of the one or more virtual elements; summing the delayed and weighted receive signals of all transducer elements of the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies and the virtual elements to form the dynamically focused receive beam; 6. The method of claim 1, comprising:

7. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein steps (iv) to (vi) are repeated using the echoes received in response to multiple transmit beams having different foci in the receive beam line of sight but laterally, and the formed receive beams are aligned in time and coherently summed to form a composite receive beam.

8. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is integrated with at least one ultrasound transducer assembly, and wherein the ASIC performs one or more of steps (i) through (vi) to form the dynamically focused receive beam.

9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is comprised of one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), or bulk PZT transducer elements.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies constitute a matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies comprises a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a flat matrix or array of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

12. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly comprises a two-dimensional matrix of the transducer elements.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in a wearable device.

14. 14. A method for imaging a target object, comprising generating an image of the target object using an imaging device, the imaging device comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, the control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. 15. A method for imaging a target object, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly including a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; tiling the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies in a matrix configuration; and acquiring an image of the target object using the tiled plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies are operably coupled to control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein tiling the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies comprises arranging the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies in a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

17. 16. A system for imaging a target object, comprising: a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising a plurality of transducer elements; and control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the ultrasound transducer assembly is tileable in a matrix configuration.

19. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the matrix configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

20. 1. A method for imaging a target object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies, each ultrasound transducer assembly including a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements; tiling the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies in a matrix or array configuration; and acquiring an image of the target object using the tiled plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the matrix or array configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

22. 22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein each ultrasonic transducer assembly further comprises an integrated application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

23. 23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is adjusted for relative tilt and offset with respect to a common coordinate system for the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

24. 1. A system for imaging a target object, comprising: a plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies, each ultrasonic transducer assembly including a plurality of transducer elements; control circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies and configured to operate the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies; Equipped with A system wherein the ultrasound transducer assemblies are tileable in a matrix or array configuration.

25. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the matrix or array configuration is a one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional matrix or array, a curved matrix or array, a partially curved matrix or array, or a planar matrix or array.

26. 26. The system of claim 24 or 25, wherein when tiled in the matrix or array configuration, there are one or more gaps between adjacent ultrasound transducer assemblies.

27. 27. The system of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein each ultrasonic transducer assembly includes, for each ultrasonic transducer assembly, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) operably coupled to and integrated with the plurality of transducer assemblies.

28. 28. The system of any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is adjusted for relative tilt and offset with respect to a common coordinate system for the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies.

29. 29. The system of any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is comprised of one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs), or bulk PZT transducer elements.

30. 30. The system of any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly constitutes a matrix or array of transducer elements.

31. 31. The system of any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein the plurality of transducer elements for at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly comprises a two-dimensional matrix of the transducer elements.

32. 32. The system of any one of claims 24 to 31, further comprising a wearable housing configured to hold the plurality of ultrasound transducer assemblies in the matrix or array configuration.

33. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the wearable housing is a patch or band.

Images