US3690311A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus with transducer scanning rate-responsive transmitter
Assignee: Siemens Gammasonics Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-27
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1991-05-27
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus for scanning an object at a predetermined rate and generating a two-dimensional anatomical map of a plane section thereof. A position-sensing transducer develops an electrical signal corresponding to the orientation of an ultrasonic transducer. A function generator is responsive to the electrical signal for generating a voltage proportional to the rate of change of position of the ultrasonic transducer. This voltage is applied to a voltage-controlled oscillator which in turn varies the transmission rate of an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver in accordance with the scanning rate of the ultrasonic transducer. A second function generator and oscillator subsystem, together with a switch, are employed to switch to the more accurate of the two subsystems.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley W Schorum
- 👤 Wonjin Song
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/102; G01S15/105; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8909; G01S15/8911; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/04; G01S7/06; G01S7/10; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/5206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An improved ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus for scanning a patient at a predetermined variable scanning rate, comprising: ultrasonic transducer means having a variable position relative to said patient; an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver having a trigger input terminal for generating ultrasonic electrical signals at a predetermined nominal transmission rate for application to said transducer means and for receiving electrical signals corresponding to reflected signals detected by said transducer means; a position-sensing transducer coupled to said ultrasonic transducer for developing an electrical signal corresponding to the position of said ultrasonic transducer; a function generator coupled to said position-sensing transducer and responsive to the electrical signals therefrom for generating a control effect proportional to the rate of change of position of said ultrasonic transducer; a voltage-controlled oscillator responsive to said control effect for producing a periodic pulse signal having a repetition rate corresponding to said control effect; and means for applying said signal to the trigger input terminal of said ultrasonic transmitter-receiver to thereby vary the ultrasonic transmission rate in accordance with the scanning rate of said ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An improved ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus for scanning a patient at a predetermined variable scanning rate, comprising: ultrasonic transducer means having a variable position relative to said patient; an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver having a trigger input terminal for generating ultrasonic electrical signals at a predetermined nominal transmission rate for application to said transducer means and for receiving electrical signals corresponding to reflected signals detected by said transducer means; a position-sensing transducer coupled to said ultrasonic transducer for developing an electrical signal corresponding to the position of said ultrasonic transducer; a function generator coupled to said position-sensing transducer and responsive to the electrical signals therefrom for generating a control effect proportional to the rate of change of position of said ultrasonic transducer; a voltage-controlled oscillator responsive to said control effect for producing a periodic pulse signal having a repetition rate corresponding to said control effect; and means for applying said signal to the trigger input terminal of said ultrasonic transmitter-receiver to thereby vary the ultrasonic transmission rate in accordance with the scanning rate of said ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises means including a switch for decoupling said function generator from said voltage-controlled oscillator and coupling said voltage-controlled oscillator to a fixed reference voltage, whereby said transmitter-receiver is caused to have a uniform transmission rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
244 words
An improved ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus scanning a patient at a predetermined variable scanning rate, comprising; ultrasonic transducer means having a variable angular position relative to said patient; an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver for generating ultrasonic electrical signals at a predetermined transmission rate for application to said transducer means and for receiving electrical signals corresponding to reflected signals detected by said transducer means, with the transmitter portion having a trigger input terminal; a position-sensing transducer coupled to said ultrasonic transducer means for developing two electrical signals corresponding to the angular position of said ultrasonic transducer, one such signal corresponding to one trigonometric Function of said angle and the other such signal corresponding to a different trigonometric function of said angle; two function generators coupled to said position-sensing transducer and respectively responsive to the electrical signals therefrom for generating two control effects each proportional to the rate of change of position of said ultrasonic transducer; two voltage-controlled oscillators respectively responsive to said control effects for producing two periodic pulse signals having repetition rates corresponding to said control effects; means responsive to one of said electrical signals for generating an indicating signal when the magnitude of said signal exceeds a predetermined value; and switch means coupled to both of said oscillators and responsive to said indicating signal for selectively applying one of said periodic pulse signals to the trigger input of said transmitter-receiver to vary said transmission rate in accordance with the scanning rate of said ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
244 words
An improved ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus scanning a patient at a predetermined variable scanning rate, comprising; ultrasonic transducer means having a variable angular position relative to said patient; an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver for generating ultrasonic electrical signals at a predetermined transmission rate for application to said transducer means and for receiving electrical signals corresponding to reflected signals detected by said transducer means, with the transmitter portion having a trigger input terminal; a position-sensing transducer coupled to said ultrasonic transducer means for developing two electrical signals corresponding to the angular position of said ultrasonic transducer, one such signal corresponding to one trigonometric Function of said angle and the other such signal corresponding to a different trigonometric function of said angle; two function generators coupled to said position-sensing transducer and respectively responsive to the electrical signals therefrom for generating two control effects each proportional to the rate of change of position of said ultrasonic transducer; two voltage-controlled oscillators respectively responsive to said control effects for producing two periodic pulse signals having repetition rates corresponding to said control effects; means responsive to one of said electrical signals for generating an indicating signal when the magnitude of said signal exceeds a predetermined value; and switch means coupled to both of said oscillators and responsive to said indicating signal for selectively applying one of said periodic pulse signals to the trigger input of said transmitter-receiver to vary said transmission rate in accordance with the scanning rate of said ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, which further comprises a delay circuit coupled between said generating means and said switch means to prevent premature switching of said periodic pulse signals.
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) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |