Since it is extremely time-consuming for the traditional total focusing method (TFM) to process ultrasonic full matrix data

a novel total focusing method based on drawing elliptical arcs (DEA)

called DEA-TFM

is proposed in this paper. Unlike the reversed computing process of the traditional TFM

DEA-TFM reinterprets the new total focusing method in the forward direction to improve its performance. Combined with the generation of elliptic arcs in computer raster graphics

DEA-TFM converts the generation of the result image to scan-conversion operations of multiple elliptical arcs. Besides

based on Bresenham ellipse algorithm

a rendering algorithm applicable to arbitrary elliptic arcs is put forward

making the novel total focusing method suitable for phased array probes in any shapes. The simulation experiments show that the result images generated by the novel total focusing method

DEA-TFM

are identical to those obtained by the traditional method

but the new total focusing method speeds up the imaging process by one order of magnitude.