Ultrasonic camera system and method

Abstract

A lens converter ultrasonic camera method and system are shown for producing a visible representation in real time and true perspective of inhomogeneities in an opaque subject or specimen and especially suitable for imaging organs of living organisms. An ultrasonic wave generating transducer means is coupled to the specimen for insonification thereof, and focused perspective images using either transmitted or reflected ultrasonic waves are produced and directed upon an array of acoustic to electrical transducer elements. Scanning means are employed to expose the transducer elements to the entire acoustic image to generate electrical signals representative of the acoustic image. Amplified electrical signals representative of at least a portion of the acoustic image (such as a line thereof) are stored in individual electrical storage elements, which storage elements subsequently are connected, as by commutation means, to a utilization circuit, such as the control grid of a cathode ray tube, for intensity control of the indicating spot on the screen of the tube. The storage elements then are discharged, signals representative of another portion of the acoustic image are stored therein, and the cycle is repeated. The acoustic image scanning and recurrent wave generating and wave receiving operations may be performed at a periodically increasing and decreasing rate.