Which type of transducer has multiple elements configured in a curved shape?

The correct answer is the curvilinear transducer, which features multiple piezoelectric elements arranged in a curved configuration. This design allows for a broad field of view, making it particularly effective for imaging larger structures, such as in obstetric and gynecological ultrasound applications. The curved shape helps produce a sector image with a good depth of penetration while maintaining a wide footprint on the body surface, which can facilitate easier access to diverse anatomical regions.

The linear array transducer utilizes elements arranged in a straight line, providing excellent resolution and imaging of superficial structures but with a limited field of view compared to curvilinear designs. A phased array transducer employs a group of small elements that can be activated individually to steer the beam in different directions, making it useful for real-time imaging but it does not have a curved configuration. The annular array transducer consists of concentric rings of elements and is mainly used for specific types of imaging, such as detailed cardiac evaluations, rather than for general applications that benefit from a curved shape.

Overall, the curvilinear transducer's unique design maximizes versatility and adaptability in imaging larger structures while ensuring adequate depth and spatial resolution, making it the appropriate choice in this context.