This talk explores the reasons for the growing interest in the field from both industry and academia, with particular attention to the close interplay between advances in microelectronics and increased performance as well as novel clinical applications in medical US. The impact of microelectronic devices (including AFEs, FPGAs, and GPUs) and computing systems (from personal computers to open scanners) on US technology will be critically assessed. Practical examples will illustrate how key building blocks of US instruments—such as the beamformer—have evolved over the past four decades, enabling real-time imaging at frame rates of several kilohertz. The talk will emphasize the crucial role of advanced hardware capabilities in supporting the real-time implementation of transformative methods, including AI-based approaches. Finally, perspectives on potential future advancements will be discussed, highlighting the expected trajectory of US technology in the coming years.
