Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc.

Biosound, Inc.

Howard Fidel

Georges Buon

Kip R Nelson

Joseph D Aindow

An ultrasonic imaging system for guiding a user in the placement of a medical instrument within the body is described. As the medical instrument approaches the image plane of an imaging transducer, ultrasonic wave energy is received by a transducer located on the medical instrument. The level of received energy is detected and used to develop a control signal which varies as a function of the quantum of received energy. The control signal is used to modulate an audible indicator, which provides an audible indiction of proximity of the medical instrument to the image plane as the instrument approaches and intersects the plane. A visual marker is produced on an image display which represent the location of the instrument within the body. As the instrument approaches and intersects the image plane the visual marker is also modulated. The system includes a test and calibration mode of operation, which exercises components of the medical instrument transducer signal processor, and also transmits calibration signals to the image display for calibration and verification purposes prior to the commencement of a medical procedure.

Ultrasonic diagnostic systems for imaging medical instruments within the

An ultrasonic sector scanner uses a transducer mounted within an ultrasonic transmitting medium with a rotating cam surface bearing against the transducer for inducing a rocking motion of the transducer between a pair of predetermined limit positions. The cam surface if rotatably driven by a Cardan joint mounted on a motor output shaft to produce an angular velocity of the transducer wherein the relationship between the angle of the transducer and the input shaft to the Cardan joint is a linear function. The position of the transducer is monitored by a code wheel connected to the motor drive to allow either a constant motor rotation or a selective angular positioning of the transducer.

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Hartsdale, NY, United States of America

Howard Fidel