US4357690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch circuit for exciting ultrasonic transducer elements
Assignee: Hitachi Healthcare Manufacturing Ltd
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Filing: 1980-12-16
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Granted: 1982-11-02
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Expires: 2000-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for exciting an ultrasonic transducer element comprises a diode switch exhibiting a long reverse recovery time duration connected between an input and an output terminal. A transducer exciting signal varying in both positive and negative directions and applied to the input terminal is conducted to the output terminal through the diode switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Masao Kuroda
- 👤 Sekijyuro Ono
- 👤 Toshio Kondo
- 👤 Noriyoshi Ichikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/74; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A switch circuit for an ultrasonic transducer element comprising a diode having a cathode connected to an input terminal for pulse signals for exciting the ultrasonic transducer element and an anode connected to an output terminal, said anode also being connected through a resistor to a control voltage terminal for controlling a conductive state of said diode, said diode having a long reverse recovery time due to a hole storage effect and being adapted to produce pulse signals having bipolar pulse components at the output terminal in accordance with the pulse signals at the input terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A switch circuit for an ultrasonic transducer element comprising a diode having a cathode connected to an input terminal for pulse signals for exciting the ultrasonic transducer element and an anode connected to an output terminal, said anode also being connected through a resistor to a control voltage terminal for controlling a conductive state of said diode, said diode having a long reverse recovery time due to a hole storage effect and being adapted to produce pulse signals having bipolar pulse components at the output terminal in accordance with the pulse signals at the input terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switch circuit according to claim 1, wherein said diode has a reverse recovery time of several microseconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A switch circuit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said diode has a reverse recovery time of about 10 microseconds.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves comprising at least one pulser means for generating pulses, at least one ultrasonic transducer means for transmitting ultrasonic waves and receiving an echo from an object to produce echo signals, and switch circuit means having an input terminal connected to said pulser means and an output terminal connected to said ultrasonic transducer means for applying pulse signals to said ultrasonic transducer means and passing the received echo signals to an echo processor means connected to a connecting point at which said pulser means is connected to said input terminal of said switch circuit means, said switch circuit means comprising a diode having a cathode connected to said input terminal and an anode connected to said output terminal, said anode also being connected through a resistor to a control voltage terminal means for controlling a conductive state of said diode, said diode having a long reverse recovery time due to a hole storage effect and being adapted to produce pulse signals having bipolar pulse components at said output terminal in accordance with pulses of said pulser means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves comprising at least one pulser means for generating pulses, at least one ultrasonic transducer means for transmitting ultrasonic waves and receiving an echo from an object to produce echo signals, and switch circuit means having an input terminal connected to said pulser means and an output terminal connected to said ultrasonic transducer means for applying pulse signals to said ultrasonic transducer means and passing the received echo signals to an echo processor means connected to a connecting point at which said pulser means is connected to said input terminal of said switch circuit means, said switch circuit means comprising a diode having a cathode connected to said input terminal and an anode connected to said output terminal, said anode also being connected through a resistor to a control voltage terminal means for controlling a conductive state of said diode, said diode having a long reverse recovery time due to a hole storage effect and being adapted to produce pulse signals having bipolar pulse components at said output terminal in accordance with pulses of said pulser means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said diode of said switch circuit means passes the received echo signals to said echo processor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said diode has a reverse recovery time of several microseconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said diode has a reverse recovery time of about 10 microseconds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of ultrasonic transducer means and switch circuit means are provided, a respective switch circuit means being interposed between the at least one pulser means and an associated ultrasonic transducer means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of pulser means are provided, a respective switch circuit means being interposed between a respective pulser means and an associated ultrasonic transducer means.
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) | 1985-11-01 | 1986-05-03 | 1986-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-01 | 1990-05-03 | 1990-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-01 | 1994-05-03 | 1994-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |