Hoffmann-la Roche Inc.

Kontron Holding Ag

Pierre-Andre Grandchamp

Christoph B Burckhardt

Peter Krummenacher

Heinz Hoffmann

Rainer Fehr

John G Abbott

Claude Schlaepfer

A real-time method and appartus is disclosed for scanning large body areas to produce an ultrasound cross-sectional picture of the area in which at least two different and partially overlapping sector scans of the body are carried out in one scanning plane by the pulse-echo method utilizing an ultrasound transducer unit having a rigid transducer which is pivotable about an axis of oscillation perpendicular to the scanning plane, which performs an oscillatory movement about the axis of oscillation and between two end positions on each scan, and which is segmented into adjacent transducer elements. In performing the scans, at least two different transducer sets are used, each containing one or more transducer elements, each transducer set being used both for the emission of the ultrasound pulses and for the reception of echo waves. In all the scans the position of the axis of oscillation remains unchanged with respect to the body.

Ultrasonic compound scan with an oscillating transducer

A method and apparatus for producing a compound ultrasound cross-sectional picture of a body, in which method a plurality of partially overlapping body scans are carried out line-wise by the pulse-echo method in one scanning plane, thereby producing image signals in digital form corresponding to the received echoes. For the real-time display of the compound cross-sectional pictures, the set of image signals produced with each scan is stored in a separate digital storage unit, at least some of the stored sets of image signals are immediately combined with one another to generate a new set of image signals corresponding to a compound real-time cross-sectional picture, and the new set of image signals is immediately fed to a television monitor in order to display the compound real-time cross-sectional picture.

Real time display of an ultrasonic compound image

A real time method and apparatus is disclosed for scanning large body areas to produce an ultrasound cross-sectional picture of a body in which method at least two different and partially overlapping sector scans of the body are carried out in one scanning plane by the pulse-echo method utilizing single ultrasound array. The array is rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the scanning plane and comprises at least a first and a second transducer, disposed in spaced relationship along a circle which is situated in the scanning plane and which is concentric with the axis of rotation. Out of at least two different scans, one is performed with the first transducer and the other with the second, each transducer being used both for the emission of ultrasound pulses and for the reception of echo waves and the position of the axis of rotation with respect to the body remaining unchanged during all the scans.

Ultrasonic compound scan with rotating transducer

A method for producing cross-sectional images using an ultrasonic imaging unit operating on the pulse-echo principle, which unit includes a transducer system having a stationary elongated array of adjacent transducer elements with transverse electrode segments adjacent one another on one side of the array. Successively and cyclically selected groups of adjacent elements are energized to produce an ultrasonic beam as a result of pulsed signals being applied to the corresponding electrode segments. Focussing of the ultrasonic beam produced by each group of the transducers is effected by having the transmitter signals applied to the electrode segments or subgroups thereof, and/or the echo-signals derived by the electrode segments from the reflected energy, time shifted relative to one another, in which each transmitter or echo-signal has a time shift associated thereto which is a function of the distance between the corresponding electrode segments (or subgroups of segments) and the center of the group of transducers.

Method and apparatus for producing cross-sectional images using

Apparatus for determining the size of particles in Brownian motion by measurement based on analysis of fluctuations in the intensity of light diffused by the particles when they are illuminated by a ray of coherent light waves. The parameter(s) of interest is (are) determined in dependence on at least two double integrals R.sub.1, R.sub.2 having the general form ##EQU1## where the values .tau.a, .tau.b, .tau.c, .tau.d define the integration ranges in the delay-time .tau. region and where .DELTA.t represents an integration range with respect to time from an initial instant .tau..sub.o. Means are provided for forming signals representing the double integrals R.sub.1 and R.sub.2. A computer unit receives the signals and generates an output signal corresponding to the aforementioned parameter(s) of the autocorrelation function.

Particle size meter

Method and apparatus for processing signals in order to determine certain parameters of their autocorrelation function, the autocorrelation function being defined by the general formula ##EQU1## The method and apparatus are applicable to determining the size of particles in Brownian motion by measurement based on analysis of fluctuations in the intensity of light diffused by the particles when they are illuminated by a ray of coherent light waves. The parameter(s) of interest is (are) determined in dependence on at least two double integrals R.sub.1, R.sub.2 having the general form ##EQU2## WHERE THE VALUES .tau.A, .tau.B, .tau.C, .tau.D DEFINE THE INTEGRATION RANGES IN THE DELAY-TIME .tau. REGION AND WHERE .DELTA.T REPRESENTS AN INTEGRATION RANGE WITH RESPECT TO TIME FROM AN INITIAL INSTANT .tau..sub.O. Means are provided for forming signals representing the double integrals R.sub.1 and R.sub.2. A computer unit receives the signals and generates an output signal corresponding to the aforementioned parameter(s) of the autocorrelation function.

Autocorrelation function parameter determination

An improved method and apparatus for reducing the echoes from reflectors disposed outside the focal line in an echo-sounding process using an ultrasonic field focusing in a focal line. A pulsed ultrasonic wave is transmitted having a cross-sectional area corresponding to one or more annularly arranged transducer segments having a total azimuth angle of less than 360.degree.. Echoes of the transmitted wave are received from the spatial region corresponding to at least a part of other annular transducer segments, which complement the annular segments of the cross-sectional area of the transmitted ultrasonic pulse to form a complete ring. The radiation or receiving surfaces of the transducer segments forming the transducer ring are inclined toward the axis of the ring.

Suppression of out-of-focus echoes in ultrasonic scanning

An apparatus for focusing ultrasonic waves in a focal line by an ultrasonic optical system having at least one rotation-symmetrical, non-spherical acoustical reflection surface which together with an ultrasonic transducer element transmits an at least partially convergent ultrasonic field having an annular cross-section.

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Munchenstein, Switzerland

Pierre-Andre Grandchamp