Patent EP0253268A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0253268A1
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Ultrasonic Probe
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1987-07-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic transducer element (l30) is supported by a member (l20). The transducer element and the supporting member are disposed within a casing (l00) filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium (l50). At least part of the casing forms an ultrasonic wave transmission window. In a first case, the supporting member (l20) is rotatable about a first axis (A) and about a second axis (B), and the position of the supporting member is detected (20). In a second case, the casing (30l) has a first portion (304) accommodating the transducer element (306) and the supporting member (307) and a second portion (303) extending in rear of the first portion and being narrower than the first portion, and the transducer element is allowed to emit and receive ultrasonic wave to and from a region extending in front of the casing with respect to a direction of insertion of the casing into a body to be examined. In a third case, a sensor (322) detects at least one condition related to operation of a mechanism driving the supporting member.
Inventors
- 👤 Masami Kawabuchi
- 👤 Fumio Muramatsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461; A61B8/4466; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4494; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8934; G01S15/8936; G01S15/8938; G01S15/894; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52079; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; G10K11/355
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An ultrasonic probe comprising: (a) an ultrasonic transducer element; (b) a member supporting the transducer element; (c) a casing accommodating the transducer element and the supporting member and filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium, wherein at least part of the casing forms an ultrasonic wave transmission window; (d) means for rotating the supporting member about a first axis and also about a second axis; and (e) means for detecting position of the supporting member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An ultrasonic probe comprising: (a) an ultrasonic transducer element; (b) a member supporting the transducer element; (c) a casing accommodating the transducer element and the supporting member and filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium, wherein at least part of the casing forms an ultrasonic wave transmission window; (d) means for rotating the supporting member about a first axis and also about a second axis; and (e) means for detecting position of the supporting member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasonic probe of claim l wherein the rotating means comprises a motor, and means for allowing the motor to rotate the supporting member selectively about the first axis and about the second axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ultrasonic probe of claim l wherein the rotating means comprises a first motor, means for allowing the first motor to rotate the supporting member about the first axis, a second motor, and means for allowing the second motor to rotate the supporting member about the second axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
An ultrasonic probe comprising: (a) an ultrasonic transducer element; (b) a member supporting the transducer element; (c) a casing having a first portion and a second portion, the first casing portion accommodating the transducer element and the supporting member and filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium, wherein at least part of the first casing portion forms an ultrasonic wave transmission window, the second casing portion extending in rear of the first casing portion and being narrower than the first casing portion; and (d) means for allowing the transducer element to emit and receive ultrasonic wave to and from a region extending in front of the casing with respect to a direction of insertion of the casing into a body to be examined.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
An ultrasonic probe comprising: (a) an ultrasonic transducer element; (b) a member supporting the transducer element; (c) a casing having a first portion and a second portion, the first casing portion accommodating the transducer element and the supporting member and filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium, wherein at least part of the first casing portion forms an ultrasonic wave transmission window, the second casing portion extending in rear of the first casing portion and being narrower than the first casing portion; and (d) means for allowing the transducer element to emit and receive ultrasonic wave to and from a region extending in front of the casing with respect to a direction of insertion of the casing into a body to be examined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ultrasonic probe of claim 4 wherein the second casing portion comprises an outer tube made of synthetic resin and an inner tube made of metal, the inner tube having an axial hole accommodating electric leads connected to the transducer element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
An ultrasonic probe comprising: (a) an ultrasonic transducer element; (b) a member supporting the transducer element; (c) a casing having a first portion and a second portion, the first casing portion accommodating the transducer element and the supporting member and filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium, wherein at least part of the first casing portion forms an ultrasonic wave trasmission window, the second casing portion extending in rear of the first casing portion; (d) means for driving the supporting member; and (e) means for detecting at least one condition related to operation of the driving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An ultrasonic probe comprising: (a) an ultrasonic transducer element; (b) a member supporting the transducer element; (c) a casing having a first portion and a second portion, the first casing portion accommodating the transducer element and the supporting member and filled with ultrasonic wave propagation medium, wherein at least part of the first casing portion forms an ultrasonic wave trasmission window, the second casing portion extending in rear of the first casing portion; (d) means for driving the supporting member; and (e) means for detecting at least one condition related to operation of the driving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ultrasonic probe of claim 6 wherein the detecting means comprises means for sensing load on the driving means, and means for sensing temperature of the driving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic psrobe of claim 7 wherein the temperature sesing means comprises at least one thermistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic probe of claim 7 wherein the temperature sensing means comprises at least one diode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
l0. The ultrasonic probe of claim 7 wherein the load sensing means comprises a variable resistor having a predetermined resistance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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