1. Tissue Harmonic Imaging - The tissue signal is processed at the second harmonic of the transmitted signal. The transducer must be both an efficient transmitter at one frequency and an efficient receiver at the second harmonic

2. Contrast Agent Imaging - Small microbubbles are injected and flow in the circulation. These map the quality blood perfusion. Most imaging techniques use some form of harmonic imaging to differentiate these from the surrounding tissue.

3. Elasticity Imaging - Used to detect regions of stiff tissue. The resolution of the elasticity image is a function of transducer bandwidth

4. Spectral Analysis - Analysis of the received signal spectrum may yield information about the underlying tissue structure. This approach benefits from having a large bandwidth

The approach we use to increase bandwidth is shown in the figures. Using this technique, instead of having a null at the second harmonic we get a peak. Usable bandwidth from the fundamental to the third harmonic is possible. We are looking at various configurations in order to optimize this design and to provide a design that operates with the lowest cost.

Recently, we have begun research to provide low cost 2D arrays for C-Scan imaging. This work is supported by the NIH (EB 02349).

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