US5305756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volumetric ultrasonic imaging with diverging elevational ultrasound beams
Assignee: Advanced Technology Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1993-04-05
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Granted: 1994-04-26
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Expires: 2013-04-05
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic transducer is provided for producing two-dimensional projection images of the interior of the body. The transducer may comprise an array of elements, acuated to produce scanning beams which are focused in the azimuthal direction and divergent in the elevation direction. The elements will, when actuated, emit fan-shaped beams which will insonify a volumetric region in front of the transducer. Echoes returning from structures within the volumetric region are acoustically integrated and projected onto a plane within the region. An image display of this plane will represent a two-dimensional projection of the volumetric region.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Entrekin
- 👤 Brent S. Robinson
- 👤 Philip Keller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8993; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In an ultrasonic imaging system, including transducer means having an ultrasonic energy emitting surface for scanning a region in front of said emitting surface in an azimuthal direction by mechanically sweeping beams emitted from said transducer means over said region, and means for producing an image from echoes received by said transducer means, said transducer means further comprising means for focusing the ultrasonic energy emitted by said transducer means in the azimuthal direction at a focal range in front of said emitting surface and means for diverging said ultrasonic energy in the elevation direction within said azimuthal focal range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In an ultrasonic imaging system, including transducer means having an ultrasonic energy emitting surface for scanning a region in front of said emitting surface in an azimuthal direction by mechanically sweeping beams emitted from said transducer means over said region, and means for producing an image from echoes received by said transducer means, said transducer means further comprising means for focusing the ultrasonic energy emitted by said transducer means in the azimuthal direction at a focal range in front of said emitting surface and means for diverging said ultrasonic energy in the elevation direction within said azimuthal focal range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 1, wherein said transducer means further comprises a single piston or annular array transducer, the beams from which are mechanically swept in an oscillatory motion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 2, wherein said means for diverging comprises the surface geometry of the transducer means in the elevation direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 3, wherein said transducer means comprises means for emitting a sequence of fan-shaped beams, each of which is focused in the azimuthal direction and divergent in the elevation direction, said sequence of fan-shaped beams insonifying a volumetric region in front of said emitting surface for the production of echoes from said region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 4, wherein said means for producing an image comprises means for forming an image representing an image plane which is parallel to said azimuthal direction of said transducer means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 1, wherein said means for focusing and said means for diverging comprise the surface geometry of said transducer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 6, wherein the surface geometry of said transducer means is approximately saddle shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 7, wherein said transducer means includes a transducer element having a saddle shaped surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 6, wherein said transducer means includes a transducer element, and wherein the surface geometry of said transducer means is a combination of the surface geometry of said transducer element and an acoustic lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an ultrasonic imaging system, including transducer means having an ultrasonic energy emitting surface for scanning a region in front of said emitting surface in an azimuthal direction, and means for producing an image from echoes received by said transducer means, said transducer means further comprising a two dimensional array of elements oriented in the azimuthal direction and in the elevation direction, means for focusing the ultrasonic energy emitted by said transducer means in the azimuthal direction and means for diverging said ultrasonic energy in the elevation direction, wherein said means for focusing and said means for diverging control the timing of actuation of respective elements of said array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an ultrasonic imaging system, including transducer means having an ultrasonic energy emitting surface for scanning a region in front of said emitting surface in an azimuthal direction, and means for producing an image from echoes received by said transducer means, said transducer means further comprising a two dimensional array of elements oriented in the azimuthal direction and in the elevation direction, means for focusing the ultrasonic energy emitted by said transducer means in the azimuthal direction and means for diverging said ultrasonic energy in the elevation direction, wherein said means for focusing and said means for diverging control the timing of actuation of respective elements of said array.
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) | 1997-04-25 | 1997-10-25 | 1998-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-25 | 2001-10-25 | 2002-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-25 | 2005-10-25 | 2006-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |