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US4286455A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ultrasound phantom

Assignee: Acoustic Standards Corp
•
Filing: 1979-05-04
•
Granted: 1981-09-01
•
Expires: 1999-05-04
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Abstract

Abstract An ultrasound phantom is provided which has ultrasound wave velocities, attenuation coefficients and scattering coefficients which closely mimic those of human tissue and which permits diagnostic ultrasound equipment to be accurately tested and calibrated on a continuing day-to-day basis. The phantom preferably includes a substantially air-tight enclosure or box, having therein a quantity of reticulated synthetic resin foam material and a salt water solution. The ultrasonic characteristics of the phantom are completely uniform, stable and reproduceable, can be varied at will by using different foam materials and/or liquids, and the phantom can be stored and used at room temperature without degradation thereof. Localized zones having different ultrasonic qualities for mimicking various normal and pathological tissues can also be provided by hollowed, cut-out regions within the foam material, with different inserts located within certain of the hollowed regions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jonathan Ophir
  • 👤 Nabil F. Maklad
  • 👤 Paul M. Jaeger

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 04:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/5205; G01S7/52052; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 44 words
An ultrasound phantom comprising: a substantially air-tight enclosure; means within said enclosure for altering ultrasonic waves directed therethrough in a manner to yield desired ultrasound characteristics, said wave-altering means including a quantity of a cellular foam material, and a fluid dispersed throughout said material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 44 words
An ultrasound phantom comprising: a substantially air-tight enclosure; means within said enclosure for altering ultrasonic waves directed therethrough in a manner to yield desired ultrasound characteristics, said wave-altering means including a quantity of a cellular foam material, and a fluid dispersed throughout said material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 2 wherein said liquid is an aqueous liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 3 wherein said liquid comprises a solution of sodium chloride in water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid is characterized by the property that ultrasound waves travel therethrough at an average speed of about 1540 meters per second.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said quantity of material is substantially shape-retaining.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said material is a reticulated, open cell foam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 7 wherein said material has a porosity of from about 5 to 100 pores per linear inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 8 wherein said porosity is about 20 pores per linear inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 16 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 9 wherein said foam material is a polyurethane foam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 42 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 1 there being a hollowed region in said material for altering the characteristics of ultrasound waves passing through the hollowed region in a manner different from the alteration effected by other portions of said material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 11 including an insert within said hollow region which has a different density and/or porosity than that of the majority of said quantity of material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 33 words
The phantom as set forth in claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a lid having structure defining a couplant-receiving depression in the lid for receiving a material which serves as an ultrasound couplant.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3175106A Cited
US4116040A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-08-31 1985-03-02 1985-09-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-08-31 1989-03-02 1989-09-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-08-31 1993-03-02 1993-09-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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