US4563899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic imaging apparatus using transducer control
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1985-01-29
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2005-01-29
Abstract
Abstract In an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the pulser applies drive pulses to the transducer element. Depending upon the transducer characteristics and the scanning mode of the ultrasonic beams, the pulser is required to apply proper drive voltage to a given transducer element. The voltage selector switch is provided to select the desirable drive voltage from the power source. Further, the transistor is provided to adjust the selected drive voltage so as to obtain the most preferable drive voltage for the transducer element.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenichi Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/5206; G01S7/52063; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/34; G10K11/341
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: transducer means having a plurality of transducer elements arranged in an array for transmitting ultrasonic pulses toward an object under examination upon receipt of drive pulses, and for receiving ultrasonic echoes reflected from the object, thereby producing echo signals; transmitter means including generator means for generating rate pulses, generator means for generating trigger pulses in response to the rate pulses, source means for producing drive voltages for the transducer means, control means for controlling the drive voltages so as to obtain the drive pulses having a desirable mode, and pulser means for supplying to the transducer elements the drive pulses having the desirable mode upon receipt of the trigger pulses; receiver means coupled to the transducer means for processing the echo signals so as to produce tomographic image signals; and means for displaying tomographic images of the object scanned by the ultrasonic pulses based upon the tomographic image signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: transducer means having a plurality of transducer elements arranged in an array for transmitting ultrasonic pulses toward an object under examination upon receipt of drive pulses, and for receiving ultrasonic echoes reflected from the object, thereby producing echo signals; transmitter means including generator means for generating rate pulses, generator means for generating trigger pulses in response to the rate pulses, source means for producing drive voltages for the transducer means, control means for controlling the drive voltages so as to obtain the drive pulses having a desirable mode, and pulser means for supplying to the transducer elements the drive pulses having the desirable mode upon receipt of the trigger pulses; receiver means coupled to the transducer means for processing the echo signals so as to produce tomographic image signals; and means for displaying tomographic images of the object scanned by the ultrasonic pulses based upon the tomographic image signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulser means includes: storage means for charging the drive voltages applied from the source means via the control means; and semiconductor switching means connected parallel to the transducer elements via the storage means, the switching means being turned on upon receipt of the trigger pulses to apply the drive pulses to the transducer elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage means is a capacitor, and the switching means is a power MOSFET.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulser means includes: first semiconductor switching means connected to receive the drive voltages of the control means; and second semiconductor switching means series-connected to the first semiconductor switching means, whose current path is connected parallel to the transducer element, the second semiconductor switching means being turned off upon receipt of the trigger pulses while the first semiconductor switching means is turned on, thereby applying the drive pulses to the transducer elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first semiconductor switching means is a P-channel MOSFET and the second semiconductor switching means is an N-channel MOSFET.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means includes at least a semiconductor voltage controlling element whose current path is connected between the source means and the pulser means and whose internal impedance is controllable in accordance with the desirable drive pulse mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising variable resistor means connected to the semiconductor voltage controlling element so as to control the internal impedance of the semiconductor voltage controlling element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising voltage selecting means interposed between the source means and the semiconductor voltage controlling element so as to select the desirable drive voltage applied from the source means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the semiconductor voltage controlling element is a field effect transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the variable resistor means is constructed by a resistor network and an analogue switch array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the voltage selecting means is constructed by series-connected relay contacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein a semiconductor voltage insulator is interposed between the semiconductor voltage controlling element and the variable resistor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the semiconductor voltage insulator is a bipolar transistor.
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) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |