Which type of transducer typically has a curved footprint and is used to produce broad sector images?

• A. Linear array
• B. Sector
• C. Phased array
• D. Curved array

Answer: (D)

Beams fan out when the emitting surface is curved, so the image naturally forms a broad sector. A curved array places elements along a curved face, and firing them together or in sequence makes the beams spread over a wide angular range. The result is a wide, fan-shaped (sector) image, which is ideal for viewing large areas in one sweep, such as the heart. In contrast, a linear array has a flat face and produces rectangular images with a narrower field of view, while phased arrays rely on electronic steering (often on a smaller/flat footprint) to create sector-like images, and a true sector-type transducer focuses more on the shape of the beam than on the curved footprint.