Real-Time 3-D Ultrasonic Diagnostic Imager for Battlefield Applications

This final report describes the accomplishments of a two phase, three year technology demonstration program whose goal was to develop a 2-D acoustic array which incorporates VLSI technology and demonstrate its imaging capability in a portable ultrasound imager. During Phase I year 1, Lockheed Martin demonstrated ultrasound imaging at 5 MHz using an electronic scanned, two-dimensional hybrid transducer array and an acoustical lens. The hybrid array was constructed by mating a readout integrated circuit ROIC originally designed for infrared imaging to a 42x64 element piezoelectric array. In Phase II years 2 3, a camera system suitable for medical imaging was designed and key components were demonstrated. This system included a 128x128 element piezocomposite array mated to new ROICs specific designed for medical imaging supporting electronics and signal processing and a high performance acoustical lens. In-vitro real-time images were made of test objects and biological specimens. Demonstration of a portable imager was not realized.