Electret acoustic transducer array for computerized ultrasound risk evaluation system

1. A system for examining tissue, the system comprising:

a sensor system having at least one acoustic transducer array, each such acoustic transducer array comprising:

a substrate having a plurality of distinct cells formed therein;

a plurality of acoustic transducing elements, each such acoustic transducing element being formed of an electret material and positioned within one of the distinct cells; and

a flexible conductive membrane formed over the distinct cells; and

a control system in communication with the sensor system, the control system comprising a controller adapted to control the at least one acoustic transducer array for insonifying the tissue and receiving scattered acoustic radiation from the tissue, wherein the received scattered acoustic radiation includes a mix of reflected and transmitted acoustic waves.

2. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one acoustic transducer array comprises a plurality of acoustic transducer arrays positioned such that the plurality of acoustic transducing elements are disposed to surround at least a portion of the tissue.

3. The system recited in claim 2 wherein the sensor system further comprises a plurality of paddles, each such paddle including at least one of the plurality of acoustic transducer arrays.

4. The system recited in claim 3 wherein each such paddle further includes a pliable bladder for contacting the tissue.

5. The system recited in claim 1 wherein each such acoustic transducer array further comprises a plurality of amplifiers formed within the substrate, each such amplifier being connected with one of the acoustic transducing elements.

6. The system recited in claim 1 further comprising a translation element configured to move the at least one acoustic transducer array to scan a portion of the tissue.

7. A method for examining tissue, the method comprising:

insonifying the tissue;

receiving scattered acoustic radiation from the tissue with an acoustic transducer array having a plurality of acoustic transducing elements formed of an electret material and positioned within distinct cells of a substrate, wherein the acoustic transducer array is disposed to surround at least a portion of the tissue, whereby the received scattered acoustic radiation includes a mix of reflected and transmitted acoustic waves; and

generating a representation of the portion of the tissue from the received scattered acoustic radiation.

8. The method recited in claim 7 wherein the acoustic transducer array comprises a plurality of acoustic transducer arrays.

9. The method recited in claim 7 wherein receiving scattered acoustic radiation comprises moving the acoustic transducer array.

10. A system for examining tissue, the system comprising:

means for insonifying the tissue;

means for receiving scattered acoustic radiation from the tissue including an acoustic transducer array having a plurality of electret transducing means for converting the scattered acoustic radiation into electrical signals, each such electret transducing means being formed within distinct cells of a substrate, wherein the means for receiving scattered acoustic radiation is disposed to surround at least a portion of the tissue, whereby the received scattered acoustic radiation includes a mix of reflected and transmitted acoustic waves; and

means for generating a representation of the portion of the tissue from the electrical signals.

11. The system recited in claim 10 wherein the means for receiving scattered acoustic radiation from the tissue further includes means for amplifying the electrical signals formed within the substrate.

12. The system recited in claim 10 wherein the acoustic transducer array is moveable.