Simulation of B-scan images from two-dimensional transducer arrays

The potential of using sparse 2-D arrays for medical imaging is assessed by simulating B-scan images of spherical nonscattering cysts embedded in a random scattering volume. The imaging potential of an eighth-order sparse array having close to 1000 elements is demonstrated by quantitatively comparing image contrast between a nonscattering cyst and the surrounding random scattering medium. A 32nd-order sparse array with 245 elements is found to perform at a reduced level, producing unacceptable artifactual echoes within images of cysts. It is concluded that 2-D arrays have the potential to produce medical images superior to linear phased arrays, as well as the ability to produce high-quality images of low-contrast objects at arbitrary steering angles