High frequency, high frame-rate ultrasound imaging system

Abstract

A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A high frequency ultrasound transducer, comprising:
 a housing;   a pivot tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the pivot tube is rotatably secured within the housing to pivot back and forth in a plane about a pivot point that is located between the distal end and the proximal end;   a transducer that is removably secured to the distal end of the pivot tube and that is configured to produce high frequency ultrasound signals for delivery into a subject and to produce electronic signals in response to echoes received from the subject;   a motor that is positioned to apply driving forces to the pivot tube at a point that is proximal to the pivot point in order to pivot the pivot tube about the pivot point and to move the transducer in a reciprocating arcuate path that is in the same plane as the plane in which the pivot tube pivots; and   a nosepiece having an internal cavity that is sized to receive the transducer and an acousitic coupling fluid, wherein the nosepiece supports a film of sonolucent material at a position that is equidistant from a front face of the transducer as the transducer is moved back and forth along the reciprocating arcuate path.   
     
     
         2 . The high frequency ultrasound transducer of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is sealed to the distal end of the pivot tube. 
     
     
         3 . The high frequency ultrasound transducer of  claim 1 , wherein the film of sonolucent material is supported by an acoustic window having a flexible frame with an arcuate front face and an enlongate hole in the acuate face, whereby the film is sealed over the elongate hole. 
     
     
         4 . The high frequency ultrasound transducer of  claim 3 , where the acoustic window is secured to the nosepiece with a fluid tight seal. 
     
     
         5 . The high frequency ultrasound transducer of  claim 1 , further comprising a position encoder that is configured to produce a signal indicative of an angular position of the pivot tube as the pivot tube pivots about the pivot point. 
     
     
         6 . The high frequency ultrasound transducer of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer includes a coaxial cable that is routed through the pivot tube. 
     
     
         7 . A high frequency ultrasound transducer, comprising:
 a housing;   a pivot tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the pivot tube is rotatably secured within the housing to pivot back and forth in a plane about a pivot point that is located between the distal end and the proximal end;   a transducer that is removably secured to the distal end of the pivot tube and that is configured to produce high frequency ultrasound signals for delivery into a subject and to produce electronic signals in response to echoes received from the subject;   a motor that is positioned to apply driving forces to the pivot tube at a point that is proximal to the pivot point in order to pivot the pivot tube about the pivot point and to move the transducer in a reciprocating arcuate path that is in the same plane as the plane in which the pivot tube pivots; and   a nosepiece having an internal cavity that is sized to receive the transducer and an acoustic coupling fluid, wherein the nosepiece is configured to engage an acoustic window that supports a film of sonolucent material in a fixed arc that is positioned in front of a front face of the transducer as the transducer is moved back and forth along the reciprocating arcuate path.