Gilbert Baum

Advances in ultrasound mammography: remote focus arc scanning

A new form of automated scanning has been developed which overcomes geometric and amplitude distortion and physical scanning limitations, associated with simple arc scanning. In simple arc scanning, the transducer rotates about a point located behind the viewed object. This produces a dense concentration of scan lines around the point of rotation, resulting in a V-shaped type of geometric distortion. Remote focus arc scanning, reported in this paper, results in an arc scan which reduces this geometric distortion by substituting an imaginary focal point placed at infinity for a true point source of rotation. This is accomplished by simultaneous simple arc and sector scanning motions. This type of scan is required for ultrasound mammography of large breasts.