US4510810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic microscope
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1982-12-28
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Granted: 1985-04-16
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Expires: 2002-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic microscope displays an ultrasonic wave image of a sample relatively and two-dimensionally scanned with respect to an ultrasonic wave beam transmitted from and focused by a transducer including a piezoelectric element and an acoustic lens. The F number of the acoustic lens is variably changeable while the scan in one direction of the two-dimensional scan is substituted by a time axis scan of the received echo.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Kanda
- 👤 Isao Ishikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01H3/12; G01H3/125; B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0622; B06B1/0625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
An ultrasonic microscope comprising: a single transducer for generating an ultrasonic beam to be focused at a single focal point and for detecting a reflected echo of said ultrasonic beam, said single transducer including an acoustic lens having opposite surfaces, one of said surfaces being a spherical surface and the other of said surfaces being a planar surface, and a thin piezoelectric film formed on said planar surface of said acoustic lens; driving means for driving said transducer; receiving means for receiving the echo detected in said transducer; scanning means for two-dimensionally scanning a relative position of a sample with respect to said ultrasonic beam at least in a plane normal to a direction of travel of said ultrasonic beam; display means for selectively displaying a first image obtained by scanning an output of said receiving means in synchronism with the two-dimensional scan by said scanning means, and a second image obtained by scanning the output of said receiving means in synchronism with a time axis scan of a received signal and a scan synchronized with the scan in one direction of said two-dimensional scan, said first image being an ultrasonic image of said sample in a plane parallel to said plane, and said second image being an ultrasonic image of a cross-section of said sample normal to said plane; and switching means for changing over an effective aperture of said transducer so that a first effective aperture is provided when the display of said first image is selected, sand a second effective aperture is provided with the display of said second image is selected, said first effective aperture being larger than said second effective aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
276 words
An ultrasonic microscope comprising: a single transducer for generating an ultrasonic beam to be focused at a single focal point and for detecting a reflected echo of said ultrasonic beam, said single transducer including an acoustic lens having opposite surfaces, one of said surfaces being a spherical surface and the other of said surfaces being a planar surface, and a thin piezoelectric film formed on said planar surface of said acoustic lens; driving means for driving said transducer; receiving means for receiving the echo detected in said transducer; scanning means for two-dimensionally scanning a relative position of a sample with respect to said ultrasonic beam at least in a plane normal to a direction of travel of said ultrasonic beam; display means for selectively displaying a first image obtained by scanning an output of said receiving means in synchronism with the two-dimensional scan by said scanning means, and a second image obtained by scanning the output of said receiving means in synchronism with a time axis scan of a received signal and a scan synchronized with the scan in one direction of said two-dimensional scan, said first image being an ultrasonic image of said sample in a plane parallel to said plane, and said second image being an ultrasonic image of a cross-section of said sample normal to said plane; and switching means for changing over an effective aperture of said transducer so that a first effective aperture is provided when the display of said first image is selected, sand a second effective aperture is provided with the display of said second image is selected, said first effective aperture being larger than said second effective aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ultrasonic microscope according to claim 1, wherein said driving means is a common driving means for driving said transducer for enabling the display of said first image and for enabling the display of said second image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An ultrasonic microscope according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means is a common receiving means for receiving the echo detected in said transducer for enabling the display of said first image and for enabling the display of said second image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An ultrasonic microscope according to claim 1, wherein said switching means includes a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on said single transducer and means for controlling the energization of all or at least a selected one of said electrodes so as to change said effective aperture of said single transducer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-15 | 1988-10-15 | 1989-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-15 | 1992-10-15 | 1993-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-15 | 1996-10-15 | 1997-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |