Ultrasonic visualization

Claim 2

Ultrasonic image converter apparatus for use in the medical diagnostic area for examination of a subject in a field comprising: CRT transmitter means having a piezoelectric faceplate, for radiating successive ones of ultrasonic energy waves adapted for scanning said field in ''''flying-spot'''' type fashion; receiver means distinct from said transmitting means, for providing electric signals indicative of the ultrasonic wave change in the field including a piezoelectric plate having a lead wire through which said electric signals are directly derived; and display means operated in synchronism with the CRT transmitter means and responsive to said electric signals for producing a visual representation.

Claim 3

Ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 1 where said CRT transmitter means includes: A piezoelectric target mounted on the faceplate, electronic beam means for applying an electrical change to successive ones of a plurality of spots on said target to radiate corresponding successive ones of a plurality of ultrasonic energy waves from said faceplate at a narrow angle of radiation allowing for a highly efficient transmission power utilization.

Claim 4

Ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said receiver means includes detector means to provide video signals representative of the ultrasonic energy wave change in said field; and said display means being intensity modulated by said video signals for providing a visible pattern of a subject portion in the field.

Claim 5

Ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 1 including: linear sweep frequency generator means connected witH said transmitter means for controlling the operating frequency of said ultrasonic energy wave: mixer means in said receiver means connected with said linear sweep frequency generator means for heterodyning said electrical signals: bandpass filter means in said receiver means connected from said mixer means; and detector means in said receiver means coupled from said bandpass filter means for providing video signals to said display means.

Claim 6

Ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said field intermediate the CRT transmitting means and the subject is filled with a coupling medium, and said faceplate is fabricated of an FACEPLATE IS FABRICATED OF AN RF shielding material having an integral number of half wavelengths of said ultrasonic wave for matching said piezoelectric plate to said medium to achieve maximum acoustical transmission.

Claim 7

Ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 1 including: ultrasonic mirror means positioned in a path defined by said ultrasonic energy waves and adapted to direct ultrasonic energy waves reflected back along said path from said subject, to said receiver means.

Claim 8

An image conversion method for ultrasonic examination of a subject in a field for medical diagnostic purposes, which allows for receiving an improved signal/noise ratio at low ultrasonic energy transmitting levels comprising: employing a CRT transmitter having a piezoelectric faceplate for radiating successive ones of ultrasonic energy waves adapted to scan said field in a ''''flying-spot'''' type fashion; sensing, with a piezoelectric receiver spatially separated from the transmitter, an ultrasound energy wave change resulting from the presence of a subject in the field; deriving through a lead wire directly connected with the piezoelectric receiver, electrical signals indicative of said ultrasonic energy wave change; and displaying a visual representation of the subject scanned, in synchronism with the transmitter scan.

Claim 9

An image conversion method for ultrasonic examination of a subject in a field for medical diagnostic purposes, which allows for receiving an improved signal/noise ratio at low ultrasonic energy transmitting levels comprising: employing a CRT transmitter having a piezoelectric faceplate for radiating successive ones of ultrasonic energy waves adapted to scan said field in a ''''flying-spot'''' type fashion; sensing, with a piezoelectric receiver spatially separated from the transmitter, an ultrasound energy wave change resulting from the presence of a subject in the field; deriving through a lead wire directly connected with the piezoelectric receiver, electrical signals indicative of said ultrasonic energy wave change; and displaying a visual representation of the subject scanned, in synchronism with the transmitter scan.