US4375166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound examination apparatus comprising a mosaic of transducers of an electrostrictive material
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1981-03-20
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Granted: 1983-03-01
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Expires: 2001-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasound examination apparatus comprises a processing circuit for echo signals from a mosaic of ultrasonic transducers which are made of an electrostrictive material with a non-remanent polarization. These signals are applied to processing channels which comprise coupling means (10i) for coupling the electrodes of the transducers to a circuit (20) for generating a polarization voltage ramp whose waveform is the inverse of that of the attenuation curve of the ultrasonic signals in the structures examined. These coupling means, for example, an RC circuit (11i, 12i) or a transformer (13i) enable the polarization voltage to be applied to the electrodes while inhibiting the transmission to the part of the processing channels which is situated behind the coupling means.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Auphan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:27
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/34; G10K11/341; G10K11/346; H; H04; H04R; H04R17/00; H04R17/04; H04R17/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/90; Y10S73/00; Y10S73/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An ultrasound examination apparatus, comprising at least one transducer for the repeated emission of ultrasonic signals and, for the reception of ultrasonic signals, a mosaic of individual ultrasonic transducers which are made of an electrostrictive material with a nonremanent polarization which is applied to each individual transducer by a corresponding electrode which is connected to a polarization stage, characterized in that it comprises a processing circuit for the echo signals supplied by the individual transducers in which each of the processing channels associated with one or with several individual transducers comprises coupling means (10i) which serve to couple the electrodes to the polarization stage and which enable the application of a polarization voltage to each of the electrodes while inhibiting the transmission of this voltage to the part of the processing channels which is situated behind the coupling means, said polarization stage comprising a single circuit (20) for generating a voltage ramp having a waveform which is approximately the inverse of that of the curve of the attenuation of the ultrasonic signals within the structures examined.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An ultrasound examination apparatus, comprising at least one transducer for the repeated emission of ultrasonic signals and, for the reception of ultrasonic signals, a mosaic of individual ultrasonic transducers which are made of an electrostrictive material with a nonremanent polarization which is applied to each individual transducer by a corresponding electrode which is connected to a polarization stage, characterized in that it comprises a processing circuit for the echo signals supplied by the individual transducers in which each of the processing channels associated with one or with several individual transducers comprises coupling means (10i) which serve to couple the electrodes to the polarization stage and which enable the application of a polarization voltage to each of the electrodes while inhibiting the transmission of this voltage to the part of the processing channels which is situated behind the coupling means, said polarization stage comprising a single circuit (20) for generating a voltage ramp having a waveform which is approximately the inverse of that of the curve of the attenuation of the ultrasonic signals within the structures examined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means comprise a circuit of the type RC whose capacitor (11i) is connected in series with the processing channel and whose resistor (12i) is connected in series with the circuit (20) for generating the voltage ramp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means comprise a transformer (13i).
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) | 1986-02-28 | 1986-08-30 | 1987-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-28 | 1990-08-30 | 1991-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-28 | 1994-08-30 | 1995-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |