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:
Mar. 21, 2000
Filed:
May. 29, 1998
William F Walker, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Cynthia A Toth, Durham, NC (US);
Richard E Davidsen, Durham, NC (US);
Duke University, Durham, NC (US);
Novason Corporation, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Abstract
Soft tissue examination apparatus and method employ an ultrasonic transducer system for generating a series of ultrasound pulses, at least one of which is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the soft tissue. The transducer receives a series of ultrasonic echo pulses and responsively generates a series of data signals indicative of such tissue displacement. A data processor receives the data signals and determines the magnitude of the displacement. In such a manner, the present invention assists in the evaluation and/or diagnosis of biological tissue. Preferably, the apparatus and method of this invention is employed to examine the properties of a subject's vitreous body and thus may be used in the evaluation and/or diagnosis of ocular disorders, such as vitreous traction.