US5158087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential temperature measurement for ultrasound transducer thermal control
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1992-01-31
•
Granted: 1992-10-27
•
Expires: 2012-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The surface temperature of tissue adjacent to an ultrasound transducer in an ultrasound imaging probe is determined by a differential measurement technique. A first temperature representative of the temperature of the ultrasound transducer is measured with a first temperature sensor. A second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the ultrasound transducer is measured with a second temperature sensor. The surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the ultrasound transducer is calculated from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature. The energy transmitted by the ultrasound transducer can be controlled in response to the calculated surface temperature, typically by reducing the transmitted ultrasound energy when the calculated surface temperature exceeds a temperature limit.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald D. Gatzke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; G; G01; G01B; G01B13/00; G01B13/02; G01B13/06; G01B13/065; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/5205; A61B8/00; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for determining the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to a transducer that applies energy to the tissue, comprising the steps of: measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the transducer; measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the transducer; and calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for determining the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to a transducer that applies energy to the tissue, comprising the steps of: measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the transducer; measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the transducer; and calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said transducer comprises an ultrasound transducer and wherein the step of measuring the first temperature is performed with a first temperature sensor in thermal proximity to said ultrasound transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said transducer is mounted in a probe and wherein the step of measuring the second temperature is performed with a second temperature sensor attached to said probe and thermally isolated from the transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of calculating the surface temperature is performed in accordance with: T.sub.surf =(1-1/k)T.sub.2 +(1/k)T.sub.1 where: T surf =surface temperature; T 1 =first temperature; T 2 =second temperature; and k=a constant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1 further including the step of reducing the power applied to said transducer when said calculated surface temperature exceeds a temperature limit.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for determining and controlling the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to a transducer that applies energy to the tissue, comprising the steps of: measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the transducer; measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is isolated from the transducer; and calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature; and controlling the energy applied to said transducer in response to said calculated surface temperature.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for determining and controlling the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to a transducer that applies energy to the tissue, comprising the steps of: measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the transducer; measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is isolated from the transducer; and calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature; and controlling the energy applied to said transducer in response to said calculated surface temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for determining the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to a transducer that applies energy to the tissue, comprising: means for measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the transducer; means for measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the transducer; and means for calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for determining the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to a transducer that applies energy to the tissue, comprising: means for measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the transducer; means for measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the transducer; and means for calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for measuring a first temperature comprises a first temperature sensor in thermal proximity to said transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said transducer is mounted in a probe and wherein said means for measuring a second temperature comprises a second temperature sensor attached to said probe and thermally isolated from said transducer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said transducer comprises a piezoelectric crystal for transmitting ultrasound energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for application of ultrasound energy to biological tissue, comprising: a probe having an ultrasound transducer mounted therein; a first temperature sensor mounted in said probe for sensing a first temperature representative of the temperature of an emitting face of said ultrasound transducer; a second temperature sensor mounted in said probe for sensing a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the biological tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the ultrasound transducer; a power source for energizing said ultrasound transducer; and means for calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the ultrasound transducer from the first sensed temperature and the second sensed temperature
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for application of ultrasound energy to biological tissue, comprising: a probe having an ultrasound transducer mounted therein; a first temperature sensor mounted in said probe for sensing a first temperature representative of the temperature of an emitting face of said ultrasound transducer; a second temperature sensor mounted in said probe for sensing a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the biological tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the ultrasound transducer; a power source for energizing said ultrasound transducer; and means for calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the ultrasound transducer from the first sensed temperature and the second sensed temperature
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 further including means for controlling said power source in response to said calculated surface temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said second temperature sensor is in thermal contact with said biological tissue during application of ultrasound energy to said biological tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 further including means for controlling said power source such that the ultrasound energy applied by said ultrasound transducer is reduced when said calculated surface temperature exceeds a temperature limit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said first temperature sensor is in thermal proximity to said ultrasound transducer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said ultrasound transducer comprises a piezoelectric crystal attached to a backing material and wherein said first temperature sensor is attached to said backing material.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for controlling the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to an ultrasound transducer that applies ultrasound energy to the tissue, comprising the steps of: measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the ultrasound transducer; measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the ultrasound transducer; calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the ultrasound transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature; and reducing the ultrasound energy transmitted by said ultrasound transducer when said calculated surface temperature exceeds a temperature limit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for controlling the surface temperature of tissue adjacent to an ultrasound transducer that applies ultrasound energy to the tissue, comprising the steps of: measuring a first temperature representative of the temperature of the ultrasound transducer; measuring a second temperature representative of the ambient temperature of the tissue in a region that is thermally isolated from the ultrasound transducer; calculating the surface temperature of the tissue adjacent to the ultrasound transducer from the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature; and reducing the ultrasound energy transmitted by said ultrasound transducer when said calculated surface temperature exceeds a temperature limit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the step of calculating the surface temperature is performed in accordance with: T.sub.surf =(1-1/k)T.sub.2 +(1/k)T.sub.1 where: T surf =surface temperature; T 1 =first temperature; T 2 =second temperature; and k=a constant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3901242A
Cited
US4116198A
Cited
US4441486A
Cited
US4620546A
Cited
US4716897A
Cited
US4681122A
Cited
US4817615A
Cited
US5015102A
Cited
US4901734A
Cited
US4960109A
Cited
US4977902A
Cited
US4920978A
Cited
US5018872A
Cited
US5029582A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-27 | 1996-04-27 | 1996-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-27 | 2000-04-27 | 2000-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-27 | 2004-04-27 | 2004-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |