Dynamic focusing apparatus and method
US4227417A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 1977 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S15/8931
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for imaging a body, such as an ultrasonic imaging system. In the disclosed apparatus, means are provided for transmitting energy, such as ultrasound energy, into the body. A transducer is provided for converting energy reflected from the body, typically ultrasound echoes, into electrical signals. The transducer, which is divided into a plurality of defined segments, such as concentric annular segments surrounding a central circular segment, is utilized for both transmitting and receiving. A plurality of register devices are provided, preferably analog registers of the charge-transfer type. The input of each of the register devices is coupled to a respective one of the transducer segments. A first clock is associated with each of the register devices. A plurality of second clocks are also provided, each being associated with one of the plurality of register devices.The second clocks have different characteristic clock rates. Timing means are provided for effecting clocking of the electrical signals from the segments into their respective devices with one of the device's associated clocks (i.e., either the common first clock or the device's …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.