US4094306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for ultrasonic examination
Assignee: Department of Health and Aged Care
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Filing: 1976-04-28
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Granted: 1978-06-13
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Expires: 1996-04-28
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the pulse-echo ultrasonic examination of an object comprised of transducer means for transmitting pulses of ultrasonic energy and receiving reflected echoes of said pulses immersed in a coupling medium contained within a housing, the pulses being transmitted and echoes received through an aperture in the housing which may be covered with a flexible coupling membrane and the housing including a storage header tank open to the atmosphere to maintain the pressure to the coupling medium on the membrane constant during flexing of the membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 George Kossoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/262; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0825; A61B8/40; A61B8/406; A61B8/42; A61B8/4209; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/0609; G01N29/223; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for use in the ultrasonic examination of an object, said apparatus comprising: a housing adapted to be filled with a liquid coupling medium, said housing having a substantially horizontal upper surface and being provided with an aperture in said surface; a flexible coupling membrane covering said aperture in a liquidtight seal; transducer means contained within said housing and adapted to be immersed in said coupling medium, said transducer means comprising means for transmitting pulses of ultrasonic energy through said aperture into an object positioned adjacent said aperture and means for receiving echoes of said pulses of ultrasonic energy reflected through said aperture by acoustic impedance discontinuities within the object; and an open storage header tank for said liquid coupling medium in communication with said housing and the atmosphere to maintain the pressure of said coupling membrane constant during flexing of the membrane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for use in the ultrasonic examination of an object, said apparatus comprising: a housing adapted to be filled with a liquid coupling medium, said housing having a substantially horizontal upper surface and being provided with an aperture in said surface; a flexible coupling membrane covering said aperture in a liquidtight seal; transducer means contained within said housing and adapted to be immersed in said coupling medium, said transducer means comprising means for transmitting pulses of ultrasonic energy through said aperture into an object positioned adjacent said aperture and means for receiving echoes of said pulses of ultrasonic energy reflected through said aperture by acoustic impedance discontinuities within the object; and an open storage header tank for said liquid coupling medium in communication with said housing and the atmosphere to maintain the pressure of said coupling membrane constant during flexing of the membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transducer means comprises a plurality of transducers mounted in an arm, said arm being mounted within the housing by a supporting mechanism for movement thereof with respect to the object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said arm is curved about a point spaced a predetermined distance above said membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said supporting mechanism includes means to move said arm towards and away from said object, means to move said arm longitudinally and transversely with respect to an axis of said object, and means to rotate and tilt said arm with respect to said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each transducer of said plurality of transducers is mounted in said arm for pivotal movement in the plane of the arm, and said transducers are mechanically linked for simultaneous movement.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |