US3886488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for the real time visualization of ultrasonic images
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1973-05-01
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-05-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to the real time visualization of ultrasonic images. The acoustic image conversion system in accordance with the invention comprises a diaphragm forming the bottom of a cell filled with a liquid; a periodic array of masking elements is provided for forming a grating of ripples at the reflective surface of the liquid, and an optical imaging system selects at least one of the radiations diffracted by the grating of ripples under the action of an incoherent illumination.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Bossaert
- 👤 Joel Ernvein
- 👤 Erich Spitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/44; A61B6/4429; A61B6/4435; A61B6/4441; A61B6/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system for the real time visualization of an ultrasonic image constituted by a two dimensional distribution of ultrasonic vibrational amplitudes, said system comprising: a vibrating diaphragm positioned for receiving said ultrasonic image, a thin liquid layer overlaying said diaphragm and having a reflective free surface, a periodic array of masking elements extending parallel beneath said free surface for inducing along said free surface a grating of ripples having the pitch of said periodic array, illuminating means for supplying incoherent optical radiation to said free surface, and optical imaging means forming an image of said free surface by selectively receiving at least one of the distinct portions of said incoherent optical radiation diffracted by said grating; said illuminating means comprising a field lens and a source of incoherent electromagnetic radiation arranged in the focal plane of said lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system for the real time visualization of an ultrasonic image constituted by a two dimensional distribution of ultrasonic vibrational amplitudes, said system comprising: a vibrating diaphragm positioned for receiving said ultrasonic image, a thin liquid layer overlaying said diaphragm and having a reflective free surface, a periodic array of masking elements extending parallel beneath said free surface for inducing along said free surface a grating of ripples having the pitch of said periodic array, illuminating means for supplying incoherent optical radiation to said free surface, and optical imaging means forming an image of said free surface by selectively receiving at least one of the distinct portions of said incoherent optical radiation diffracted by said grating; said illuminating means comprising a field lens and a source of incoherent electromagnetic radiation arranged in the focal plane of said lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said array of masking elements is immersed in said liquid layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said array of masking elements is Located on one side of said diaphragm in order to be immersed in the propagation medium through which the ultrasonic energy carrying said image propagates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said array of masking elements is integral with said diaphragm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said array of masking elements is constituted by at least one grid of constant pitch wires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said array of masking elements is constituted by regularly spaced independent obstacles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said field lens has its optical axis perpendicular to said free surface, said source being eccentric in relation to said optical axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical imaging means comprise a perforated diaphragm located in said focal plane, said perforated diaphragm transmitting selectively, at least one of the images of said source, diffracted by said free surface in the presence of said ultrasonic energy; said optical imaging means further comprising a further lens arranged behind said perforated diaphragm and cooperating with said field lens in order to project an image of said free surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said source is the filament of an incendescent bulb; said perforated diaphragm being arranged in the focal plane of said lens in order to occult the zero order image of said filament.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
Ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said source is constituted by a screen receiving incoherent radiation, said screen comprising perforations arranged in a grid fashion in said focal plane, and a further apertured screen being arranged in said focal plane in order to selectively occult the zero order image of the assembly of said perforations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
An ultrasonic imaging system for visualization of an object by means of an ultrasonic image conversion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm is in contact with a liquid contained in an ultrasonic tank; said object being immersed in said tank; said tank comprising insonification means for emitting an ultrasonic beam irradiating said object, and means for projecting the ultrasonic image of said object on to the face of said diaphragm which is in contact with the liquid filling said tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasonic imaging system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said projection means comprise a spherical ultrasonic mirror designed to form the image of said object at a magnification factor substantially equal to -1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ultrasonic imaging system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insonification means comprise an electromechanical transducer of spherical cap design, a concave ultrasonic mirror with its focus located at the centre of the curvature of said spherical cap, and a filter pin hole diaphragm, the hole in which coincides with the said centre of curvature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ultrasonic imaging system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insonification means comprise at least one electromechanical transducer associated with an electrical generator producing an alternating voltage whose frequency spectrum comprises more than one ultrasonic emission frequency.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |