Which design feature is characteristic of convex sequential arrays?

Which design feature is characteristic of convex sequential arrays?

• A. All crystals fire at once
• B. None of the crystals fire
• C. Some but not all crystals fire
• D. Beams are parallel

Answer: (C)

Convex sequential arrays generate the ultrasound beam by energizing small groups of crystals in sequence along the curved surface. Because only a portion of the total crystals is active at any moment, the emitted wavefront is formed as the active group steps through the array, creating a curved, fan-shaped beam that sweeps across the field. That’s why the description “some but not all crystals fire” best fits this design. The other ideas don’t match the pattern of operation: firing all crystals at once would produce a different, less controllable beam, and the curved geometry prevents the beam from being parallel.

Convex sequential arrays generate the ultrasound beam by energizing small groups of crystals in sequence along the curved surface. Because only a portion of the total crystals is active at any moment, the emitted wavefront is formed as the active group steps through the array, creating a curved, fan-shaped beam that sweeps across the field. That’s why the description “some but not all crystals fire” best fits this design.

The other ideas don’t match the pattern of operation: firing all crystals at once would produce a different, less controllable beam, and the curved geometry prevents the beam from being parallel.