Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for generating and directing ultrasound over predetermined regions of a body, characterized by: a plurality of side-by-side tapered piezoelectric transducer elements (100-1 to 100-n); and means (170) for energizing the transducer elements with electrical energy having a variable frequency; the frequency of the electrical energy being variable to change the direction of the ultrasound produced by the transducer elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for generating and directing ultrasound over predetermined regions of a body, characterized by: a plurality of side-by-side tapered piezoelectric transducer elements (100-1 to 100-n); and means (170) for energizing the transducer elements with electrical energy having a variable frequency; the frequency of the electrical energy being variable to change the direction of the ultrasound produced by the transducer elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising means (180, Figure 1; 520, Figure 6) for focusing the ultrasound produced by the transducer elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined by claims 1, further comprising processor means (150) responsive to a coordinate (x) of an input target point for controlling the variation of frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising means (180) for varying the relative phases of the electrical energy applied to the transducer elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined by claims 3 and 4, wherein the processor means (150) is also responsive to at least one other coordinate (y) of the input target point for controlling the variation of the relative phases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising means (580) for selectively enabling at least one of the transducer elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claims 3 and 6 wherein the processor means (150) is responsive to at least one other coordinate of the target point to control the means for selecting the transducer elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, 6 or 7, wherein the piezoelectric transducer elements comprise separate wedge-shaped piezoelectric units, each unit having an associated focusing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 8, wherein the focusing means comprises a portion of the wedge-shaped unit (810, Figure 8) formed with a curvature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined by any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of side-by-side tapered piezoelectric transducer elements (100-1 to 100-n) comprise a wedge of piezoelectric material having spaced electrodes thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10, wherein the electrodes comprise spaced parallel conductive strips disposed along the direction of taper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 11, further comprising a common electrode (105) opposing the electrode strips.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for hyperthermia treatment of target points in a treatment region of a body, comprising the steps of: energizing a plurality of tapered piezoelectric transducer elements with electrical energy; and varying the frequency of the electrical energy to change the direction of the ultrasound produced by the transducer elements.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for hyperthermia treatment of target points in a treatment region of a body, comprising the steps of: energizing a plurality of tapered piezoelectric transducer elements with electrical energy; and varying the frequency of the electrical energy to change the direction of the ultrasound produced by the transducer elements.