US4601292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable Doppler transducer probes
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Ultrasound Inc
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Filing: 1984-11-08
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Granted: 1986-07-22
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Expires: 2004-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic diagnostic probe is provided which performs simultaneous ultrasonic imaging and Doppler flow measurement. The Doppler transducer is mounted for rotation by a mechanical assembly, which permits the Doppler beam to be steered during imaging to the point in the body where a flow measurement is to be taken. As the Doppler transducer is rotated, a variable impedance device within the probe is adjusted in correspondence with the transducer rotation so as to provide an indication signal of the direction in which the Doppler beam is being directed.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard F. Fidel
- 👤 David L. Greenwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:41
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; G10K11/355; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An ultrasonic diagnostic probe which is capable of performing ultrasonic imaging and Doppler measurement, comprising: a hollow case having an acoustic window which passes ultrasonic energy and including chamber means for containing fluid located within said hollow case and adjacent to a portion of said acoustic window; imaging transducer means, located in said hollow case and outside said fluid chamber means, and oriented to direct ultrasonic energy through said acoustic window toward an area which is to be imaged; Doppler transducer means, located in said hollow case within said fluid chamber means, and movably oriented to direct Doppler signals through said acoustic window toward said imaged area; means located within said fluid chamber means and externally controlled for controllably moving said Doppler transducer means to select one of a plurality of axes in said imaged area along which said Doppler signals are to be directed; and means, located external to said fluid chamber means and responsive to said means for moving, for providing an indication signal for identifying said selected axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An ultrasonic diagnostic probe which is capable of performing ultrasonic imaging and Doppler measurement, comprising: a hollow case having an acoustic window which passes ultrasonic energy and including chamber means for containing fluid located within said hollow case and adjacent to a portion of said acoustic window; imaging transducer means, located in said hollow case and outside said fluid chamber means, and oriented to direct ultrasonic energy through said acoustic window toward an area which is to be imaged; Doppler transducer means, located in said hollow case within said fluid chamber means, and movably oriented to direct Doppler signals through said acoustic window toward said imaged area; means located within said fluid chamber means and externally controlled for controllably moving said Doppler transducer means to select one of a plurality of axes in said imaged area along which said Doppler signals are to be directed; and means, located external to said fluid chamber means and responsive to said means for moving, for providing an indication signal for identifying said selected axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasonic diagnostic probe of claim 1, wherein said means for controllably moving comprises a manually actuated mechanical assembly, located in said fluid chamber means and connected to said Doppler transducer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ultrasonic diagnostic probe of claim 2, wherein said mechanical assembly includes means for pivoting said Doppler transducer means through an arc by pivoting said Doppler transducer means about a point located between said Doppler transducer means and said imaged area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ultrasonic diagnostic probe of claim 1, wherein said means for identifying includes a potentiometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The ultrasonic diagnostic probe of claim 4, wherein said moving means includes a motive member passing through a wall of said fluid chamber means and mechanically connected to said Doppler transducer means; and a cam, located within said hollow case and outside said fluid chamber means, and in contact with said motive member, wherein movement of said cam causes said Doppler transducer means to move in a controlled manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasonic diagnostic probe of claim 5, further comprising a thumbwheel, connected to said cam, for turning said cam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The ultrasonic transducer probe of claim 5, wherein said moving means further includes: a pivoting arm, located within said fluid chamber means, and having a first end connected to said Doppler transducer means and a second end connected to said motive member, wherein movement of said motive member moves said Doppler transducer means by pivoting said arm about a pivot point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The ultrasonic transducer probe of claim 7, wherein said moving means further includes: a second pivoting arm, located within said fluid chamber means, and having a first end connected to said Doppler transducer means and a second end, wherein said pivoting arms cooperate to permit said Doppler transducer to be moved through an arc centered about a point located between said Doppler transducer means and said imaged area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ultrasonic transducer probe of claim 8, wherein said moving means further includes a spring, in contact with said second end of said second pivoting arm, for spring-loading said moving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ultrasonic transducer probe of claim 9, wherein said motive member comprises a tube, passing through a seal in said fluid chamber means wall, and pivotally mounted in the proximity of said wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
An ultrasonic diagnostic probe which is capable of performing ultrasonic imaging and Doppler measurement, comprising: a hollow case; imaging transducer means, located in said case, for producing a two-dimensional image of a region being imaged; Doppler transducer means, located in chamber means for containing fluid within a portion of said case, for directing a beam of Doppler ultrasound toward said region being imaged; means for controllably moving said Doppler transducer to select one of a plurality of axes along which said beam of ultrasound is to be directed; and means, responsive to said controllably moving means, for developing an indication signal of the selected axis. wherein said imaging transducer means is located external to said fluid chamber means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
An ultrasonic diagnostic probe which is capable of performing ultrasonic imaging and Doppler measurement, comprising: a hollow case; imaging transducer means, located in said case, for producing a two-dimensional image of a region being imaged; Doppler transducer means, located in chamber means for containing fluid within a portion of said case, for directing a beam of Doppler ultrasound toward said region being imaged; means for controllably moving said Doppler transducer to select one of a plurality of axes along which said beam of ultrasound is to be directed; and means, responsive to said controllably moving means, for developing an indication signal of the selected axis. wherein said imaging transducer means is located external to said fluid chamber means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The ultrasonic diagnostic probe of claim 9, wherein said means for controllably moving comprises a mechanical assembly, connected to said Doppler transducer means, for mechanically adjusting the orientation of said Doppler transducer means toward said region being imaged; and wherein said indication signal developing means comprises variable impedance means, coupled to said mechanical assembly, for exhibiting an impedance which is representative of the orientation of said Doppler transducer means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
An ultrasonic diagnostic probe for ultrasonic imaging and Doppler flow measurement, comprising: a hollow case a fluid chamber located with a portion of said case; imaging transducer means, located in said case external to said fluid chamber, for producing a two-dimensional image of a region of a patient's body; Doppler transducer means, rotatably mounted within said fluid chamber, for controllably directing a Doppler ultrasound signal along one of a plurality of arcuately dispersed axes in said region being imaged; and means, responsive to said Doppler transducer means, for producing an indication signal representative of the axis along which said Doppler ultrasound signal is directed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
104 words
An ultrasonic diagnostic probe for ultrasonic imaging and Doppler flow measurement, comprising: a hollow case a fluid chamber located with a portion of said case; imaging transducer means, located in said case external to said fluid chamber, for producing a two-dimensional image of a region of a patient's body; Doppler transducer means, rotatably mounted within said fluid chamber, for controllably directing a Doppler ultrasound signal along one of a plurality of arcuately dispersed axes in said region being imaged; and means, responsive to said Doppler transducer means, for producing an indication signal representative of the axis along which said Doppler ultrasound signal is directed.
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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) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |