Beam profiles and images from two-dimensional arrays

Comparisons are made between fixed-focus linear arrays and two-dimensional arrays using beam profiles and simulated images. Conclusions are also drawn about optimal geometries of 2-D arrays. The results presented show that substantial improvements in image quality can be obtained with simple 2-D transducer arrays. An array with only three elements in the slice thickness direction is much better at controlling the size of the beam close to, and far from, the transducer. Potential applications would include cardiac scanning on a 128-channel system