Acoustic imaging device
US5417218A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 23, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/5223
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides an acoustic imaging device in which a large number of transducers are spaced less than a half acoustic wavelength apart on a circle surrounding an object to be imaged. A signal generator generates discrete acoustic frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 1.5 MHz. Multiplexer systems are provided to permit each transducer, one at a time, to broadcast a signal while the broadcast signal is detected by the other transducers. Electronic equipment records the detected signal and from the recorded information phase and amplitude data is calculated with respect to each transducer location. A computer programmed with an algorithm computes images of slices through the object using the phase and amplitude data. We utilize single frequency, steady-state acoustic signals which enables the accurate determination of the phase and amplitude of the acoustic signals at each receiver transducer. Finally, in order to reduce the data acquisition time and reduce motion artifacts, we utilize acoustic signals comprised of a plurality of discrete indentifiable frequencies each frequency providing an image of the medium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.