US4893629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic medical imaging apparatus having a polyvinylidene fluoride transducer
Assignee: Analogic Corp
•
Filing: 1987-10-15
•
Granted: 1990-01-16
•
Expires: 2007-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic medical imaging apparatus provides an ultransonic transducer constructed with polyvinylidene fluoride. Circuitry is included for generating an energizing pulse for the transducer, the pulse having a predetermined period and an instantaneous frequency which is varied from a first frequency to a second frequency during the period. Circuitry is provided for digitizing electrical signals from the transducer which electrical signals represent ultrasonic reflections received by the transducer in response to the energizing pulse, and a signal processor cross-correlates the digitized electrical signals with the energizing pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 George K. Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8959
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An ultrasonic medical imaging apparatus comprising; an ultrasonic transducer constructed with polyvinylidene fluoride; circuit means for generating an energizing pulse for the transducer, said pulse having a predetermined length and an instantaneous frequency which is varied by said circuit means from a first frequency to a second frequency during the period; means for digitizing electrical signals from the transducer which electrical signals represent ultrasonic reflections received by the transducer in response to the energizing pulse; and signal processing means for cross-correlating the digitized electrical signals with the energizing pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An ultrasonic medical imaging apparatus comprising; an ultrasonic transducer constructed with polyvinylidene fluoride; circuit means for generating an energizing pulse for the transducer, said pulse having a predetermined length and an instantaneous frequency which is varied by said circuit means from a first frequency to a second frequency during the period; means for digitizing electrical signals from the transducer which electrical signals represent ultrasonic reflections received by the transducer in response to the energizing pulse; and signal processing means for cross-correlating the digitized electrical signals with the energizing pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for digitizing electrical signals includes means for digitizing the energizing pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transducer is constructed from a vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energizing pulse is amplitude weighted over the predetermined period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said circuit means linearly varies the instantaneous frequency from the first frequency to the second frequency during the pulse length period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3918025A
Cited
US3953825A
Cited
US4191193A
Cited
US4489726A
Cited
US4519396A
Cited
US4401910A
Cited
US4471785A
Cited
US4583545A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-15 | 1993-07-17 | 1994-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-15 | 1997-07-17 | 1998-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-15 | 2001-07-17 | 2002-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |