From Philips Medical Systems;
'The powerful system...
The SD 260 is a powerful B/W ultrasound system that offers standard all major scan techniques: curved, linear and annular phased array. The user has a choice of no less than 12 probes and can connect up to three probes simultaneously, regardless of their technique. The SD 260 is perfectly suited for use in either a busy hospital or clinic.'
This product is not available in the US, Australia, or New Zealand from Philips Medical Systems.

Specifications for this system will be available soon.

From Siemens Medical Systems;
'The SONOLINE Omnia™ ultrasound system offers mobility, high performance, and ease of use. This digital imaging system delivers excellent 2D, color flow, and Doppler image quality for a variety of general imaging exam types. In addition, the SONOLINE Omnia with cardiac option includes special features that enable use for adult cardiac imaging.'

A transducer assembly is the configuration of an ultrasound transducer. Electronic array transducers are composed of multiple crystal elements e.g., linear array and phased array transducer assemblies. A handheld mechanical probe may contain a mechanically driven single element transducer, or a rotating wheel transducer. Static B-scanner (obsolete) had a cylindrical probe with a single disk-shaped piezoelectric crystal.
Some probes are designed to be inserted in body cavities (vagina, rectum, esophagus) so that they can get closer to the organ being examined (uterus, prostate gland, heart); getting closer to the region of interest allow for a more detailed view.

See also Endocavitary Echography, Endoscopic Ultrasound, Vaginal Transducer and Rectal Probe.

Transducers can be divided in:
1.) Transducers where the sound wave is transmitted and received by different elements.
2.) Transducers where multiple elements part of the time transmit and part of the time receive sound energy.
The first type of ultrasound transducer is used in detection of blood flow (also called nonimaging transducers). For example, the continuous wave transducer (Pedoff transducer) has two separate elements, where one element is always transmitting while the other element is always receiving.
Probes of the second type are used to image cardiac structures and have the capability to use various Doppler techniques to detect blood flow (also called imaging transducers). For example, continuous wave, pulsed wave, high pulse repetition frequency, color flow, M-mode, and 2D-mode are the various modes that this type of transducer can perform.

Transducers can also be divided in mechanical and electronic or phased scan types.
Mechanical transducers use a combination of single element oscillation, multiple element rotation, or a single element and set of acoustic mirrors to generate the sweeping beam for 2D mode. Caused by the vibration (created as the mirrors rotate or oscillate inside the cover) is this type sometimes called the 'wobbler'. Mechanical transducers are cheaper than electronic transducers.
Different types of electronic or phased array probes can create a linear or rectangular shaped scan plane as well as a sector or pie shaped scan plane. Sector scanners are most useful for cardiac ultrasound examinations where the beam is directed between the ribs to image the heart. A linear array transducer is more useful in abdominal, OB/GYN, and small parts examinations. Electronic transducers are more expensive but they provide dynamic focusing and smaller probe.

See also Rectangular Array Transducer.

A tri-frequency probe emits three different frequencies. Probes with tri-frequency capabilities allow a wide range of scanning applications from a single probe.

See also Multi-Frequency Probe and Dual Frequency Phased Array Transducer.