A transducer array (802) includes at least one 1D array of transducing elements (804). The at least one 1D array of transducing elements includes a plurality of transducing elements (904). A first of the plurality of transducing elements has a first apodization and a second of the plurality of transducing elements has a second apodization. The first apodization and the second apodization are different. The transducer array further includes at least one electrically conductive element (910) in electrical communication with each of the plurality of transducing elements. The transducer array further includes at least one electrical contact (906) in electrical communication with the at least one electrically conductive element. The at least one electrical contact concurrently addresses the plurality of transducing elements through the at least one electrically conductive element.

An imaging system includes: a transceiver cell for generating a pressure wave and converting an external pressure wave into an electrical signal; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the transceiver cell. The transceiver cell includes: a substrate; at least one membrane suspending from the substrate; and a plurality of transducer elements mounted on the at least one membrane. Each of the plurality of transducer elements has a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer on bottom electrode, and at least one top electrode on the piezoelectric layer. Each of the plurality of transducer element generates a bending moment in response to applying an electrical potential across the bottom electrode and the at least one top electrode and develops an electrical charge in response to a bending moment due to the external pressure wave.

An ultrasound apparatus includes transducers, switches, a pulser, receiver, and processing unit, each transducer connected to the pulser and receiver via one switch and a single communications channel; the processing unit includes a memory and processor, is connected to the pulser and receiver, and identifies a first number that indicates a first aperture size, generates responses from the transducers, and processes the responses to produce image data; and the processor generates each response by selecting contiguous or non-contiguous transducers, the number being equal to the first number, for each switch connected to a selected transducer, sending a signal instructing the switch to connect the transducer to the communications channel, sending instructions to simultaneously fire selected transducers, with a pulse provided simultaneously to each selected transducer via the communications channel, and receiving a single response via the communications channel and receiver, which is the combination of outputs of the selected transducers.

A transducer probe includes a transducer array with rows of transducer elements that each extend in an elevation direction and is transverse to an azimuth direction, a matching layer disposed adjacent to the transducer array, and a focusing layer disposed adjacent to the matching layer. The focusing layer includes a first material with a first refractive index and a second material with a second refractive index, and the first refractive index is less than the second refractive index. The first and second materials are distributed in an alternating pattern with the first material at edges of the rows. First widths of the first material decrease from the edges towards a center of the rows, and second widths of the second material increase from the edges towards the center.

A contact lens having an electronic system is described herein to provide lens accommodation using a distance measurement determined from an ultrasound time of flight signal. In at least one embodiment, the contact lens includes an ultrasound module, a system controller, a timing circuit, and an actuator. In at least one embodiment, the ultrasound module includes at least one transducer configured to emit a sound pressure wave outwardly and receive a reflected sound pressure wave from an object. A timer may track an elapsed time between generation and detection of the sound pressure wave by the at least one transducer to determine the distance to the object. In at least one embodiment, lens accommodation is further achieved using a communication link between a pair of contact lenses to determine a convergence angle based on independent distance measurements generated by each contact lens.

The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic sensor pixel circuit, a driving method thereof and a display panel. The ultrasonic sensor pixel circuit includes a detection module, of which a first terminal is connected with an ultrasonic sensing unit and a second terminal is connected with a first signal terminal, and the detection module is configured to generate a detection voltage according to an electric signal output from the ultrasonic sensing unit under control of the first signal terminal; an output module, of which a first terminal is connected with a third terminal of the detection module and a second terminal is connected with a read line, and the output module is configured to generate an output signal according to the detection voltage and provide the output signal to the read line.

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for visualizing a target anatomy of a patient in preparation of a medical procedure. The device can include a pad having a conductive material. The pad can include an engaging element that can engage the conductive material to a medical imaging device. The method can include attaching the gel pad to a visualization device. The gel pad can contact the patient. The method can further include viewing the target anatomy using the visualization device. The visualization device can include transducers to collect data on the target anatomy and a user interface to visualize the target anatomy. A medical instrument can be directed into the gel pad and towards the target anatomy. A device can be provided to manage pain during the procedure. The device may include a stimulating element to decrease pain experienced by the patient.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for visualizing a target anatomical site of a patient using one or more imagers. The method can include placing multiple imagers on multiple locations at an anatomical site. The method can further include generating separate image data sets from the multiple images and combining the image data sets to generate a volumetric imaging data of the anatomical site. The volumetric imaging data can include all anatomical features within the target anatomical site. A visualization system for medical imaging can include transducers on the imagers to visualize the target anatomical site. The system can further include a processor to combine the image data sets to generate the volumetric imaging data set. The system can further include a display device to display the volumetric imaging data set.

An apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmitter, an ultrasonic receiver, and an acoustic delay gradient layer disposed in an acoustic path between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. The acoustic delay gradient layer is configured to cause a reflection from a platen interface of the transmitted ultrasonic signal to reach the first receiver region at a first time and the reflection from the platen interface of the transmitted ultrasonic signal to reach the second receiver region at a second time that is different from the first time. The apparatus can further include a controller configured to set for a first region or portion of the receiver, a first range gate window (RGW). The controller is also configured to set, for a second region or portion of the receiver, a second RGW, and to establish a first temporal delay between the first RGW and the second RGW.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for inserting a needle and a method for cannulation of a blood vessel. The apparatus can include a targeting assembly to identify a target location and an insertion path for the needle. The apparatus can further include a frame and insertion assembly to hold and place the needle. A user interface can be provided to provide feedback to an operator. The apparatus can include an adjustable band that engages a body portion of the patient. The method can include placing and securing the frame to the body portion. The method can further include locating the target location and inserting the needle through a target area.