US4787070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupler for ultrasonic transducer probe
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1987-06-29
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Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2007-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A coupler for use between an ultrasonic transducer probe and a sample to be examined thereby to keep the ultrasonic transducer probe and the sample spaced a prescribed distance from each other includes an acoustic lens in an area through which a ultrasonic signal is to pass from the ultrasonic transducer probe. The acoustic lens allows the focusing point of the lens of the ultrasonic transducer probe to be shifted to a desired position. Since the ultrasonic transducer probe and the sample are spaced from each other by the coupler, the image of an observed region of the sample can be positioned in a wide field of view on a screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Akifumi Suzuki
- 👤 Hiroshi Sasaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S181/00; Y10S181/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A coupler for use between an ultrasonic transducer probe and a sample to be examined thereby to keep the untrasonic transducer probe and the sample spaced a prescribed distance from each other, said coupler comprising: a hollow main body having distal and proximal ends, a trapezoidal cross section, and a contact surface disposed on the distal end adapted for contact with the sample to be examined; a mounting member, disposed on the proximal end, for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer probe; said main body having, between said mounting member and said contact surface, a larger width in a scanning direction in which a beam from the ultrasonic transducer probe is scanned and a smaller width in a focusing direction normal to said scanning direction; and an acoustic lens disposed on the coupler.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A coupler for use between an ultrasonic transducer probe and a sample to be examined thereby to keep the untrasonic transducer probe and the sample spaced a prescribed distance from each other, said coupler comprising: a hollow main body having distal and proximal ends, a trapezoidal cross section, and a contact surface disposed on the distal end adapted for contact with the sample to be examined; a mounting member, disposed on the proximal end, for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer probe; said main body having, between said mounting member and said contact surface, a larger width in a scanning direction in which a beam from the ultrasonic transducer probe is scanned and a smaller width in a focusing direction normal to said scanning direction; and an acoustic lens disposed on the coupler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A coupler according to claim 1, wherein said mounting member includes a mounting surface, said acoustic lens being disposed on said mounting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A coupler according to claim 2, wherein said acoustic lens has a first surface, held against said mounting surface, having a first radius of curvature; and a second surface, opposite to said first surface, having a second radius of curvature smaller than said first radius of curvature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A coupler according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic lens is disposed on said contact surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |