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:
Jun. 03, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 03, 2001
Ronald F. Bax, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Lazar A. Shifrin, San Jose, CA (US);
Acuson Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
A two level power supply and method are provided for ultrasound transmission. A coupling capacitor is provided between a high voltage source and a low voltage source. The coupling capacitor provides direct current restoration for a two level power supply selector connected with an ultrasound transmit array. For example, a clamping circuit, including a capacitor and a diode, is provided between the high voltage and the low voltage sources. The high voltage source connects as a power supply to a pulser. Control signals are provided to the pulser to switch the output between the high voltage and ground depending on the type of ultrasound signal being transmitted. A voltage rail of the transmit array connects with the clamp circuit and receives a low voltage for CW Doppler mode imaging and a high voltage for B-mode imaging. This low cost circuitry may simplify and improve the delivery of high voltage in a two or more level power supply selection in ultrasound imaging.