US4430898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulse-echo ultrasound system utilizing conjugate emitting and receiving apertures
Assignee: Technicare Corp
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Filing: 1981-12-30
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Granted: 1984-02-14
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Expires: 2001-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A novel method for imaging body tissues is disclosed wherein an ultrasonic pulse having a radially asymmetric side-lobe pattern surrounding a central focal lobe is generated. A receiver for receiving echoes of this pulse is provided which exhibits a sensitivity to echoes from the aforementioned side-lobe pattern which is relatively decreased by comparison to its sensitivity to echoes from the central focal lobe. In the preferred embodiment, square transducers which are rotated with respect to the focal axis by about 45° are used to practice the disclosed method.
Inventors
- 👤 William S. Trimmer
- 👤 David H. R. Vilkomerson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:37
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A pulse-echo ultrasound system including an active element of piezoelectric material having a plurality of acoustic apertures formed of separate electrode areas positioned generally along a common focal axis, comprising: (a) a first pulsing aperture means including a first one of said electrode areas for producing sound focused into higher intensity central focal lobe and asymmetric side lobe regions; and (b) a second receiving aperture means including a second one of said electrode areas for receiving echoes of sound produced by said pulsing aperture means, said receiving aperture means being rotated about said common focal axis with respect to said pulsing aperture means so as to exhibit a greater senstivity to echoes from said central focal lobe than to echoes from said side lobes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A pulse-echo ultrasound system including an active element of piezoelectric material having a plurality of acoustic apertures formed of separate electrode areas positioned generally along a common focal axis, comprising: (a) a first pulsing aperture means including a first one of said electrode areas for producing sound focused into higher intensity central focal lobe and asymmetric side lobe regions; and (b) a second receiving aperture means including a second one of said electrode areas for receiving echoes of sound produced by said pulsing aperture means, said receiving aperture means being rotated about said common focal axis with respect to said pulsing aperture means so as to exhibit a greater senstivity to echoes from said central focal lobe than to echoes from said side lobes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said apertures are polygonal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said apertures are corresponding polygons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said polygons are rectangles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said rectangles are squares.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said squares are positioned at 45° with respect to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said second aperture is positioned so that its axes of side-lobe intensity bisect the axes of side-lobe intensity of said first aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the solid focal angles of said apertures overlap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said apertures are triangular, and are rotated with respect to each other by about 30°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said apertures are hexagonal and are rotated with respect to each other by about 30°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said aperetures are octagonal and are rotated with respect to each other by about 22.5°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said first pulsing aperture means comprises a pulsing means for activating a first portion of said active element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said second aperture means comprises a sensing means for sensing sound received by a second portion of said active element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said first one of said electrode areas comprises an electrode configured to correspond to said first portion disposed on one surface of said active element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said second one of said electrode areas comprises an electrode configured to correspond to said second portion disposed on a second surface of said active element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein said electrodes are squares disposed on the opposite surfaces of a disc-shaped active element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein said squares are disposed at differing degrees of rotation with respect to the focal axis of the active element.
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) | 1987-02-13 | 1987-08-15 | 1988-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-13 | 1991-08-15 | 1992-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-13 | 1995-08-15 | 1996-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |