Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
Method for systematic examination and detection of tissue abnormalities including: a. providing an ultrasonic energy transmitting source to provide a tissue intercepting beam and receving source therefor; b. positioning said source in close association to the tissue to be examined; c. moving said source in a first predetermined direction over the tissue in a path; d. oscillating said beam of energy in a first plane, said first plane being substantially coincident with and in the same direction of movement of said source across the tissue; said oscillating beam of energy being simultaneously transmitted in a second plane generally normal to said first plane and therefore generally normal to the directions of movement across the tissue; e. continuing moving the source and its beam oscillations in different but closely adjacent paths; f. providing interpretation means for the instantaneous processing and readout of said beam energy receiving means and, g. said interpretation means including means for quantitatively reading the energy returned from the tissue whereby conversion of such energy to a delayed visual form is eliminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
Method for systematic examination and detection of tissue abnormalities including: a. providing an ultrasonic energy transmitting source to provide a tissue intercepting beam and receving source therefor; b. positioning said source in close association to the tissue to be examined; c. moving said source in a first predetermined direction over the tissue in a path; d. oscillating said beam of energy in a first plane, said first plane being substantially coincident with and in the same direction of movement of said source across the tissue; said oscillating beam of energy being simultaneously transmitted in a second plane generally normal to said first plane and therefore generally normal to the directions of movement across the tissue; e. continuing moving the source and its beam oscillations in different but closely adjacent paths; f. providing interpretation means for the instantaneous processing and readout of said beam energy receiving means and, g. said interpretation means including means for quantitatively reading the energy returned from the tissue whereby conversion of such energy to a delayed visual form is eliminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 where said interpretation means includes means for processing and numerical conversion of the energy being received.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method set forth in claim 1 and the degree of angular oscillation of the beam of energy in said first plane being greater than that of the oscillation in said second plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tissue is in in-vivo condition and includes the female breast and including the steps of a. reposing the female on her back on a support device; and, b. adjusting the support device to balance and substantially flatten the breast on the thorax.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 and including the step of instantaneously physically marking the tissue in response to a predetermined reception of energy read out above a predetermined level of energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein movement in said path includes movement defining a spirallying plot from a predetermined central location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 and including the step of maintaining the position of said source at a predetermined location with respect to the tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 and said beam oscillations being arranged to direct the beam to strike the tissue being examined at not only a normal angle of incidence but at different angles during such oscillation.