Patent US5458120A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5458120A
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Ultrasonic transducer with magnetostrictive lens for dynamically focussing and steering a beam of ultrasound energy
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1993-12-08
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Granted: 1995-10-17
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Expires: 2013-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic transducer with a magnetostrictive lens for dynamically focussing and steering a beam of ultrasound energy is provided. The magnetostrictive lens is operable in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil such that the speed of propagation of the ultrasound beam is selectively controlled as the beam passes through the lens. The lens can be made up of first and second prisms wherein at least one of such prisms is magnetostrictive. Alternatively, the lens can be made up of an individual stage made of a composite having a plurality of elongated rods of magnetostrictive material cooperating in response to the control signal applied to the lens for selectively controlling the propagation speed of the ultrasound beam passing therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter W. Lorraine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:18
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An ultrasonic transducer for an imaging system comprising: a transducer element which generates a beam of ultrasound energy propagating along a transducer axis with a predetermined speed of propagation; and a magnetostrictive lens acoustically coupled to said transducer element and having an input face positioned at an angle with respect to said transducer axis to receive and to pass said beam of ultrasound energy, said magnetostrictive lens operable such that said speed of propagation of said beam is selectively controlled as said beam passes through said lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ultrasonic transducer for an imaging system comprising: a transducer element which generates a beam of ultrasound energy propagating along a transducer axis with a predetermined speed of propagation; and a magnetostrictive lens acoustically coupled to said transducer element and having an input face positioned at an angle with respect to said transducer axis to receive and to pass said beam of ultrasound energy, said magnetostrictive lens operable such that said speed of propagation of said beam is selectively controlled as said beam passes through said lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 1 further comprising means for applying a control signal to said magnetostrictive lens, thereby selectively controlling said propagation speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 2 wherein said lens includes an output face having a substantially planar surface positioned at a predetermined angle relative to said transducer axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 3 wherein said beam of ultrasound energy is selectively steered at a predetermined angle θ based upon said control signal applied to said magnetostrictive lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 2 wherein said lens includes an output face having a curved surface substantially centered relative to said transducer axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 5 wherein said magnetostrictive lens is operable in response to said control signal such that said beam of ultrasound energy is dynamically focused at a controllable range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 2 wherein said magnetostrictive lens is comprised of first and second prisms positioned in said transducer axis to share a mutually interfacing surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 7 wherein at least one of said first and second prisms is made of a respective magnetostrictive material responsive to said control signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 8 wherein at least one of said first and second prisms is made of a composite having a plurality of elongated rods of magnetostrictive material respectively extending substantially parallel to said transducer axis, said plurality of rods in said composite cooperating in response to said control signal to selectively control said propagation speed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 2 wherein said magnetostrictive lens is substantially comprised of an individual stage made of a composite having a plurality of elongated rods of magnetostrictive material respectively extending substantially parallel to said transducer axis, said plurality of rods in said composite cooperating in response to said control signal to selectively control said propagation speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 2 further comprising a beam backing layer positioned rearward of said transducer element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 11 further comprising a first beam matching layer interposed between said transducer element and said input face of said lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 12 further comprising a second beam matching layer positioned forward of said output face of said lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
An ultrasonic transducer for an imaging system comprising: a transducer element which generates a beam of ultrasound energy propagating along a transducer axis with a predetermined speed of propagation; a magnetostrictive lens acoustically coupled to said transducer element and having an input face positioned at an angle with respect to said transducer axis to receive and to pass said beam of ultrasound energy, said magnetostrictive lens operable such that said speed of propagation of said beam is selectively controlled as said beam passes through said lens; and means for applying a control signal to said magnetostrictive lens, thereby selectively controlling said propagation speed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
An ultrasonic transducer for an imaging system comprising: a transducer element which generates a beam of ultrasound energy propagating along a transducer axis with a predetermined speed of propagation; a magnetostrictive lens acoustically coupled to said transducer element and having an input face positioned at an angle with respect to said transducer axis to receive and to pass said beam of ultrasound energy, said magnetostrictive lens operable such that said speed of propagation of said beam is selectively controlled as said beam passes through said lens; and means for applying a control signal to said magnetostrictive lens, thereby selectively controlling said propagation speed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 14 wherein said lens includes an output face having a substantially planar surface positioned at a predetermined angle relative to said transducer axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 15 wherein said beam of ultrasound energy is selectively steered at a predetermined angle θ based upon said control signal applied to said magnetostrictive lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 14 wherein said lens includes an output face having a curved surface substantially centered relative to said transducer axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 17 wherein said magnetostrictive lens is operable in response to said control signal such that said beam of ultrasound energy is dynamically focused at a controllable range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 14 wherein said magnetostrictive lens is comprised of first and second prisms positioned in said transducer axis to share a mutually interfacing surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 19 wherein at least one of said first and second prisms is made of a respective magnetostrictive material responsive to said control signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 20 wherein at least one of said first and second prisms is made of a composite having a plurality of elongated rods of magnetostrictive material respectively extending substantially parallel to said transducer axis, said plurality of rods in said composite cooperating in response to said control signal to selectively control said propagation speed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 14 wherein said magnetostrictive lens is substantially comprised of an individual stage made of a composite having a plurality of elongated rods of magnetostrictive material respectively extending substantially parallel to said transducer axis, said plurality of rods in said composite cooperating in response to said control signal to selectively control said propagation speed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 14 further comprising a beam backing layer positioned rearward of said transducer element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 23 further comprising a first beam matching layer interposed between said transducer element and said input face of said lens.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasonic transducer of claim 24 further comprising a second beam matching layer positioned forward of said output face of said lens.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |