US4276491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focusing piezoelectric ultrasonic medical diagnostic system
Assignee: AUSONICS INTERNATIONAL PTY Ltd
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Filing: 1979-10-02
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Granted: 1981-06-30
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Expires: 1999-10-02
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer consisting of two separate transducer elements bonded together. The individual elements may be similar or different in size, thickness, and/or material. The material which bonds the two elements together may serve as one electrode, and two other electrodes coat the outer surfaces of the two individual elements. By switching the electrodes which are connected to the transmit and receive circuits of an ultrasonic medical scanning apparatus, the single transducer may be used for imaging with high resolution at one frequency, and for pulse Doppler velocity measurements at a different frequency. The two elements may be driven individually or in combination, in order to achieve different operating frequencies and focusings.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith P. Daniel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:37
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/32; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/06; A61B8/13; A61B8/48; A61B8/488; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/895; G01S15/8952
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic system comprising a first transducer element; a second transducer element; electrodes coating the front and back surfaces of both of said transducer elements, with the back electrode of said first transducer element and the front electrode of said second transducer element being bonded together; means for controlling pulse echo operation at one frequency, with relatively low penetration and high resolution, by applying an energizing signal across the front and back electrodes of one of said transducer elements; and means for controlling Doppler operation at another lower frequency, with relatively high penetration and low resolution, by applying an energizing signal across the front electrode of said first transducer element and the back electrode of said second transducer element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic system comprising a first transducer element; a second transducer element; electrodes coating the front and back surfaces of both of said transducer elements, with the back electrode of said first transducer element and the front electrode of said second transducer element being bonded together; means for controlling pulse echo operation at one frequency, with relatively low penetration and high resolution, by applying an energizing signal across the front and back electrodes of one of said transducer elements; and means for controlling Doppler operation at another lower frequency, with relatively high penetration and low resolution, by applying an energizing signal across the front electrode of said first transducer element and the back electrode of said second transducer element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic system in accordance with claim 1 wherein both of said transducer elements are curved and have mating radii of curvature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first transducer element has a diameter larger than of said second transducer element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second transducer elements have the same thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second transducer elements have different thicknesses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-06-29 | 1984-12-29 | 1985-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-29 | 1988-12-29 | 1989-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-29 | 1992-12-29 | 1993-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |