High resolution ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method
US5456256A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4218
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging system and method for imaging human or animal tissue having a surface and including a probe including a platen for supporting the human or animal tissue for imaging the same, a transducer positioned closely adjacent the supporting means for providing an output ultrasonic beam directed on the surface so that the size of the beam at its focal point is as small as possible to maximize the resolution of the system and a mechanism for moving the transducer in two directions so as to provide a two dimensional scan of the surface by the ultrasonic beam. There is also provided a scan controller operatively connected to the probe for controlling the mechanism to provide the scan of the surface and a signal processor operatively connected to the probe for receiving signals produced in response to the scan of the surface and for processing the signals. In a form of mechanism wherein an oscillatory motor moves the transducer to direct the ultrasonic beam along an arcuate path, there is provided an encoder operatively associated with the motor for providing information on the amount of angular rotation provided by the motor. There is also provided an oscillatory flexible l…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.