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:
Feb. 20, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 13, 1996
J. Fleming Dias, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Hewlett E. Melton, Jr., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Agielnt Technologies, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A direct contact scanner uses a fiber acoustic waveguide to convey ultrasound from an ultrasound transducer to a direct contact area. The waveguide extends from a main body of the scanner into an oblong nose, and terminates in a deflector. To minimize thickness of the nose, the waveguide and deflector are rotated about an ultrasound transmission axis of the waveguide, enabling the scanner to be used in a variety of situations where quarters are cramped. A coupling fluid conveys ultrasound between the deflector and a radome, which directly contacts the object to be scanned. Using the waveguide, an ultrasound transducer and supporting electronics may be distanced from the direct contact area and separated from the fluid, thereby insulating the fluid from possible electronic leakage currents and heat.