Diasonics, Inc.

Other

Leland Stanford Junior University

Sri International

James F Havlice

Albert S Waxman

Philip S Green

Dilip G Saraf

Gordon S Kino

Calvin F Quate

Henry L Schwartz

David E Stepner

A multi-mode scanner head employing split (semicircular transducers) is described. In some modes such as simultaneous B-scan and M-scan each transducer moves independent of the other. For continuous Doppler mode the transducers move together. The relatively small, hand-held scanner head is particularly useful for cardiac examinations.

Multi-mode ultrasound scanner

A data acquisition head for an ultrasonic imaging system which employs a plurality of transducers is disclosed. The transducers are rotated in a liquid filled chamber at a constant rate, each about an axis perpendicular to its transmission axis. The transducers are sequentially activated as their transmission axes cross a semi-rigid membrane which is in contact with the body. The acoustic impedance of the liquid and membrane, and the thickness of the membrane, are matched to enhance transmission. In one embodiment, the membrane is one-half or a full wavelength thick and comprises a low density polyethylene and the liquid has an acoustic impedance approximately equal to that of the polyethylene.

Ultrasonic imaging apparatus using a coupling fluid mixture of propylene

Endoscopic method and apparatus are provided for the simultaneous visual and ultrasonic imaging of internal body parts through use of a probe insertable into a body cavity. The probe includes a rectilinear transducer array acoustically coupled to the body through a cylindrical focusing lens having an outer face which conforms to the probe contour. The transducer array is included in a pulsed ultrasonic imaging system of the B-scan type. A tube, which includes a flexible portion adjacent the probe, connects the probe to a control housing containing manually operated control mechanism for bending the flexible tube portion. A control handle extends from the side of the housing for control of bending by the operator. The pulsed ultrasonic imaging system includes pulse generator and pulse receiver means connected to individual elements of the transducer array by coaxial cables extending through the tube. Electronic beam focusing and scanning means for rectilinear B-scan operation are provided for imaging of objects at close distances adjacent the probe. Visual display means are provided for visual display of the ultrasonic image from the B-scan receiver. An optical illuminating and viewing system is provided for optically viewing internal body parts through the probe, which system includes an objective lens and illuminating means adjacent the distal ends of the probe and transducer array. A removable eyepiece at the housing is used for direct viewing by the operator while guiding the probe into desired position in the body cavity. Means also are provided for viewing the optical image by a video camera having an output connected to a monitor adjacent the ultrasonic image display. Consequently, both the optical and ultrasonic images are simultaneously displayable and viewable by the operator.

Endoscopic method & apparatus including ultrasonic B-scan imaging

Method and apparatus for pulsed ultrasonic imaging of a section of the interior of an object from reflections by internal discontinuities of recurrent transmitted pulses of ultrasonic energy, are provided. There is included a transducer array comprising a plurality of adjacent transducer elements for converting echo signals received from discontinuities within the object to equivalent electrical signals. Range gated signal processing means are provided for processing electrical signals from the transducer array reflected from discontinuities within any one of a plurality of range zones within the section to be imaged to provided range gated signals representative of segments of lines within the section to be imaged. The signal processing means includes electronic receiver beam focusing and scanning means for focusing the transducer array at the range zone at which the signals are range gated and for scanning the same. Visual display means for visual display of the line segment signals are provided for visual display of the entire section to be imaged. The signal processing means may include digital scan converter means for temporary storage of received signals for display thereof at a conventional TV monitor. Different numbers of transducer elements are employed for beam forming at the different range zones; a maximum number of adjacent transducer elements being used for operation at the zone farthest from the transducer array, and decreasing numbers being used for zones nearer the array. The electronic beam focusing means includes a plurality of fixed delay means, at least some of which are employed for focusing at a plurality of range zones thereby minimizing the total number required for operation of the system.

Ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus with electronic beam focusing

Ultrasonic imaging apparatus

An improved electronically focused imaging system for focusing transmitted acoustic waves into a focal line and for scanning the focal line for waves either reflected or transmitted from an object of interest. The system includes N transducer elements in a transmitter array and N transducer elements in a receiver array. These 2N elements can resolve N.sup.2 locations on the object of interest. In one embodiment the transmitter array is pulsed through a delay line that is activated by two, independent, frequency varying chirp signals. In this embodiment the receiver array is focused to scan the focal line and to develop a rectangular raster so that the output of the system is viewable on an oscilloscope or a television screen. In another embodiment the transmitter array is pulsed by a delay line activated by one chirp signal and a 45.degree. raster is developed.

Growing community of inventors

Los Altos, CA, United States of America

James F Havlice