Gems Sensors Inc.

Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Cornell University

Analogic Corporation

Gem Sensors, Inc.

George K Lewis

James B Dockendorff

Kevin Bidwell Downs

Bryan M LaBarge

Kenneth R Erikson

Timothy E White

George K Lewis, Jr

William L Olbricht

Steven Gelber

James B Dockendorf

A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container, the detector including a sensor assembly with a lens and a sensor element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal. A generally cylindrical wall extends outwardly from an outer surface of the container and defines a housing with a cylindrical central bore having a base surface. The sensor assembly is coupled to the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall. The sensor assembly is positioned such that it receives a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal. The sensor assembly then generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.

Fluid level detector

There is set forth herein a uterine probe having one or more transducer for detecting a uterine parameter. The one or more parameter can be a fetal heart rate. The one or more parameter can be uterine contraction. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a fetal heart rate (FHR). In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a uterine contraction. The one or more transducer can be of a common technology or can be of different technology. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include one or more transducer that is operative to be driven in different signaling configurations. A first signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of a fetal heart rate. A second signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of uterine contraction.

Ultrasound transducer probe and methods

A transducer for use in a fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container, the transducer comprising a piezoelectric element that outputs an ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal, characterized in that said transducer further comprises, a lens with an upper portion, a lower portion, and a focal point, the upper portion including a curved surface with convex side. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed adjacent an outer surface of a wall of the container such that the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall, the lens focuses the ultrasonic signal toward the focal point of the lens and on the inner surface of the wall.

A fluid detector includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. A housing is integral with an outer surface of the wall of a container and defines a cylindrical central bore for receiving the lens. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that it enters the wall. An ultrasonic detector is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall, for receiving a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal and that is affected by the presence or absence of fluid. The ultrasonic detector generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.

A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall such that the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall, the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that the first ultrasonic signal enters the wall.

An integrated piezoelectric ultrasound array structure configured to minimize the effects of differential thermal expansion between the array and the integrated circuit and to improve the mechanical and acoustical integrity of the array. The transducer array may have an interposed thinned supporting substrate and is matched to the integrated circuit substrate for thermal expansion so as to retain mechanical integrity of the array/IC bond within the working temperature range. Transducer elements are laterally isolated acoustically and as to thermal expansion by air or other acoustically attenuating medium of lower elastic modulus material between the elements. Acoustical effects are vertically acoustically isolated with capacitive coupling and small area solder bumps relative to wavelength, and further laterally acoustically isolated by thin supporting substrates relative to wavelength, including thinned semiconductor integrated circuit substrates.

Piezocomposite ultrasound array and integrated circuit assembly with improved thermal expansion and acoustical crosstalk characteristics

An ultrasonic medical imaging apparatus provides an ultransonic transducer constructed with polyvinylidene fluoride. Circuitry is included for generating an energizing pulse for the transducer, the pulse having a predetermined period and an instantaneous frequency which is varied from a first frequency to a second frequency during the period. Circuitry is provided for digitizing electrical signals from the transducer which electrical signals represent ultrasonic reflections received by the transducer in response to the energizing pulse, and a signal processor cross-correlates the digitized electrical signals with the energizing pulse.

Growing community of inventors

Andover, MA, United States of America

George K Lewis