US4252125A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1979-05-16
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Granted: 1981-02-24
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Expires: 1999-05-16
Abstract
Abstract At the bottom of a receptacle for medical examinations which is filled with warm water, there is an ultrasonic probe swinging along the bottom face for sector-shaped mechanical scanning and also for electronic scanning in a longitudinal direction at right angles to the mechanical scanning direction. Immersed in the warm water, an ultrasonic-wave transmitting flexible membrane is stretched across the receptacle above the ultrasonic probe. This membrane is provided with a plurality of pores through which the warm water passes. A breast to be examined is pressed against the membrane while it is immersed in the warm water, and a sectional image of the breast is displayed on a display unit by means of the ultrasonic probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Iinuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0825; A61B8/40; A61B8/406; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus comprising: a receptacle containing a liquid; an ultrasonic-wave transmitting flexible membrane stretched across said receptacle under the surface of the liquid and having a passage portion through which the liquid passes freely; an ultrasonic probe disposed in the liquid in said receptacle; and a means for displaying and recording sectional information on a patient provided by said ultrasonic probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus comprising: a receptacle containing a liquid; an ultrasonic-wave transmitting flexible membrane stretched across said receptacle under the surface of the liquid and having a passage portion through which the liquid passes freely; an ultrasonic probe disposed in the liquid in said receptacle; and a means for displaying and recording sectional information on a patient provided by said ultrasonic probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said liquid passage portion consists of notches formed at the four corners of said membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said liquid passage portion consists of a number of pores formed in said membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is a net.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid in said receptacle is warm water and including means for compulsively circulating said water through a constant-temperature water bath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is formed of one of vinyl chloride, rubber and polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic probe has its end supported by a rotating shaft penetrating through the bottom of said receptacle, and is formed of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a straight line in parallel with the bottom of said receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is transparent to visible light.
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) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-08-25 | 1985-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-08-25 | 1989-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-08-25 | 1993-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |