US6036646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for three dimensional ultrasound imaging
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1998-07-10
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Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2018-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging that utilizes a one, one and one-half or two dimensional scanhead for performing three dimensional imaging. The method and apparatus limits acoustic reverberations by swinging or rotating an array of ultrasound transducer elements about the longitudinal axis of the probe of an ultrasound transducer apparatus to enable the transducers to maintain a constant and concentric position with the acoustic membrane of the probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G. Barthe
- 👤 Michael H. Slayton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; A61B8/13; A61B8/14; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/4461; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for ultrasound imaging comprising: (a) a swing shaft having a longitudinal axis; (b) at least one ultrasound transducer element; (c) means for connecting said at least one transducer element to the swing shaft such that said transducer element is positioned at a predetermined distance from the swing shaft; (d) drive means for rotating said swing shaft about its longitudinal axis; (e) means for operating said transducer element comprising a flexible printed circuit board, at least one connector element connected to said printed circuit board, and a cable assembly connected to said connector element; and (f) means for displaying echos received by operating the transducer element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for ultrasound imaging comprising: (a) a swing shaft having a longitudinal axis; (b) at least one ultrasound transducer element; (c) means for connecting said at least one transducer element to the swing shaft such that said transducer element is positioned at a predetermined distance from the swing shaft; (d) drive means for rotating said swing shaft about its longitudinal axis; (e) means for operating said transducer element comprising a flexible printed circuit board, at least one connector element connected to said printed circuit board, and a cable assembly connected to said connector element; and (f) means for displaying echos received by operating the transducer element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wet housing module wherein elements (a) through (d) are contained within said wet housing module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wet housing module is filled with an acoustic coupling liquid such that elements (a) through (d) of claim 1 are immersed in said acoustic coupling liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a dry housing module connected to said wet housing module and a fluid impervious seal separating said wet module from said dry module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for operating said transducer element comprises: a flexible printed circuit board connected to said transducer element such that said flexible printed circuit board passes through said fluid impervious seal separating the wet and dry housing modules; at least one connector element connected to said printed circuit board; and a cable assembly connected to said connector element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one ultrasound transducer comprises a linear array of a plurality of transducer elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said linear array is a phased array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one ultrasound transducer comprises at least one of a one dimensional transducer array, a one and one-half dimensional transducer array, and a two dimensional transducer array.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for performing ultrasound imaging comprising: positioning an ultrasound transducer at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axis of a probe of an ultrasound imaging apparatus; operating and swinging the ultrasound transducer about the longitudinal axis of the probe such that the ultrasound transducer is maintained in a concentric position with an acoustic membrane of the probe wherein the operating and swinging of the ultrasound transducer is controlled by a flexible circuit board connected to the ultrasound transducer; and compiling sequential scanning data obtained from the ultrasound transducer to create a three-dimensional image.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for performing ultrasound imaging comprising: positioning an ultrasound transducer at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axis of a probe of an ultrasound imaging apparatus; operating and swinging the ultrasound transducer about the longitudinal axis of the probe such that the ultrasound transducer is maintained in a concentric position with an acoustic membrane of the probe wherein the operating and swinging of the ultrasound transducer is controlled by a flexible circuit board connected to the ultrasound transducer; and compiling sequential scanning data obtained from the ultrasound transducer to create a three-dimensional image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the ultrasound transducer comprises at least one of a one, a one and one-half, and a two dimensional array of transducers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9 where the step of compiling sequential scanning data to create a three dimensional image comprises the step of processing a series of sequential two-dimensional scans generated from the ultrasound transducer to create the three-dimensional image.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for performing ultrasound imaging comprising: positioning an ultrasound transducer on a rotatable probe of an ultrasound imaging apparatus; operating and rotating the rotatable probe perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe such that the ultrasound transducer is maintained in a concentric position with an acoustic membrane of the probe wherein the operating and rotating of the ultrasound transducer is controlled by a flexible circuit board connected to the ultrasound transducer; and compiling sequential scanning data obtained from the ultrasound transducer to create a three-dimensional image.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for performing ultrasound imaging comprising: positioning an ultrasound transducer on a rotatable probe of an ultrasound imaging apparatus; operating and rotating the rotatable probe perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe such that the ultrasound transducer is maintained in a concentric position with an acoustic membrane of the probe wherein the operating and rotating of the ultrasound transducer is controlled by a flexible circuit board connected to the ultrasound transducer; and compiling sequential scanning data obtained from the ultrasound transducer to create a three-dimensional image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the ultrasound transducer comprises at least one of a one, a one and one-half, and a two dimensional array of transducers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 12 where the step of compiling sequential scanning data to create a three dimensional image comprises the step of processing a series of sequential two-dimensional scans generated from the ultrasound transducer to create the three-dimensional image.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for ultrasound imaging comprising: (a) at least one of a swinging multiple element transducer array and a rotating multiple element transducer array; (b) means for electrically connecting said multiple element transducer array to a coaxial cable assembly by way of a flexible printed circuit board; (c) drive means for at least one of swinging said multiple element transducer array up to 90 degrees in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction and rotating said multiple element transducer array up to 180 degrees in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction; (d) means for transmitting and receiving a plurality of electrical signals from said multiple element transducer array through said means for electrically connecting said multiple element transducer array; and (e) means for processing and displaying said electrical signals into an ultrasound image.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for ultrasound imaging comprising: (a) at least one of a swinging multiple element transducer array and a rotating multiple element transducer array; (b) means for electrically connecting said multiple element transducer array to a coaxial cable assembly by way of a flexible printed circuit board; (c) drive means for at least one of swinging said multiple element transducer array up to 90 degrees in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction and rotating said multiple element transducer array up to 180 degrees in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction; (d) means for transmitting and receiving a plurality of electrical signals from said multiple element transducer array through said means for electrically connecting said multiple element transducer array; and (e) means for processing and displaying said electrical signals into an ultrasound image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for electrically connecting said multiple transducer array to a coaxial cable further comprises at least one connector element connected to said flexible printed circuit board and in turn connected to said coaxial cable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a wet housing module wherein said multiple element transducer array, said drive means, and at least a portion of said flexible printed circuit board are contained within said wet housing module.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said wet housing module is filled with an acoustic coupling liquid such that said multiple element transducer array, said drive means, and at least a portion of said flexible printed circuit board are immersed in said acoustic coupling liquid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a dry housing module connected to said wet housing module and a fluid impervious seal separating said wet module from said dry module.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said flexible printed circuit board passes through said fluid impervious seal separating the wet and dry housing modules.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said at least one multiple element transducer array comprises a linear array.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said linear array is a phased array.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said at least one multiple element transducer array comprises at least one of a one dimensional transducer array, a one and one-half dimensional transducer array, and a two dimensional transducer array.
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) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |