The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 30, 1997
Martin K Mason, Andover, MA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging system may include a transducer array having a novel distribution of transducer elements. Preferred embodiments of the system include a transducer having a linear, curved linear, or matrixed array of piezoelectric transducer elements. The transducer may include a novel distribution of transducer elements applied to the elevation elements, wherein the elevation aperture is divided into three sections, that is, a central section having an array of fine-pitched elements, and upper and lower sections. The novel distribution of transducer elements may be applied to the elevation elements wherein the system is adapted for a first mode of operation characterized as a near-field mode (e.g., at shallow depths), such that the transducer elements in the central section are activated to effect various purposes, e.g., beam steering and electronic focusing, and the transducer elements in the outer sections are generally not activated. The system is also adapted for a second mode of operation characterized as a far-field mode, wherein the transducer elements in both the central and outer sections are activated.