Acoustic Characterization of a 32 × 32 Element PZT-on-ASIC Matrix Transducer for 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a portable, safe, and low-cost imaging technique for accurate assessment of the heart. In transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) the esophagus is utilized as the imaging window to examine the cardiac anatomy and function. In conventional TEE probes, a one-dimensional (1D) ultrasound array is employed to obtain two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional images of the heart. Since cardiac morphology, leakage of valves and function of the outflow tracts are all three-dimensional (3D) phenomena, it is beneficial to interpret them from 3D images. Therefore, there is high clinical demand for matrix TEE probes that are capable of providing real-time volumetric images [1]. Several matrix arrays (Philips X7-2t, Siemens V5M TEE, General Electric 6VTD) have been developed for this purpose, however all of them are large in size (~10 cm3) and uncomfortable to use on non-anesthetized patients [2]. We aim to develop a matrix TEE probe with a small head volume (