Technicare Corporation

Joe F Guess

Dennis Raymond Dietz

Thomas Pearce

Charles F Hottinger

Clyde G Oakley

Cheston W Robbins

Robert M Kelly

Dean N Skaar

Stephen D Walker

Thomas R Kruer

An ultrasonic emulsion fluid is provided for use in ultrasonic probes of medical ultrasonic diagnostic systems, in which the fluid couples ultrasonic energy between a transducer and human tissue. The emulsion outer phase is a water and velocity enhancer mixture. Suitable enhancers include alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or glycerol. The suspended phase of the emulsion is an oil phase such as a silicone fluid. The silicone fluid droplets in the emulsion exhibit an average size which provides the emulsion with desired attenuation characteristics over a given band of ultrasonic frequencies.

Ultrasonic emulsion fluids

A pressurizing syringe includes one or more dimple-shaped snapdomes located between the plunger and piston of a syringe assembly. When the plunger is depressed, the snapdomes will deflect at a known pressure level, giving the user a tactile and audible indication that the syringe is compressing fluid at the desired pressure. A method for using a pressurizing syringe to pressurize the fluid-filled compartment of an ultrasonic scan head is also described.

Pressurizing syringe

An ultrasonic scanning system is provided in which an ultrasonic transducer is oscillated for scanning purposes by a piezoelectric bender. One end of the bender is fixedly mounted in a sector scanner head, while the other end is connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The bender is deflected through the application of a drive voltage to electrodes plated on the piezoelectric material, causing the bender to deflect by a distance which is proportional to the applied voltage. The transducer is thereby caused to oscillate or rock by the motion of the bender.

Piezoelectric scanning systems for ultrasonic transducers

Method and apparatus for enhancing the reflection coefficient of a surgical instrument for use in conjunction with an apparatus for pulse-echo ultrasound imaging of an area of the body, by means of a diffraction grating disposed on the surgical instrument.

Growing community of inventors

Littleton, CO, United States of America

Joe F Guess