High resolution ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method

Abstract

An ultrasonic imaging system and method for imaging human or animal tissue having a surface and including a probe including a platen for supporting the human or animal tissue for imaging the same, a transducer positioned closely adjacent the supporting means for providing an output ultrasonic beam directed on the surface so that the size of the beam at its focal point is as small as possible to maximize the resolution of the system and a mechanism for moving the transducer in two directions so as to provide a two dimensional scan of the surface by the ultrasonic beam. There is also provided a scan controller operatively connected to the probe for controlling the mechanism to provide the scan of the surface and a signal processor operatively connected to the probe for receiving signals produced in response to the scan of the surface and for processing the signals. In a form of mechanism wherein an oscillatory motor moves the transducer to direct the ultrasonic beam along an arcuate path, there is provided an encoder operatively associated with the motor for providing information on the amount of angular rotation provided by the motor. There is also provided an oscillatory flexible liquid impervious seal between the motor shaft and a liquid filled region containing the transducer in a manner causing minimal drag on the motor. The system and method can be employed in fingerprint scanning and processing, and in biometric identification and verification systems wherein the imaging system is utilized in combination with a record member containing a recorded biometric image and a processor for performing comparisons.