Ultrasonic transducer for three dimensional imaging
US5460181A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/916
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for three dimensional ultrasonic scanning with reduced electronic switching and cabling requirements. The invention includes a body including a relaxor ferroelectric ceramic material and electrodes coupled to opposing surfaces of the body. Electronic switches select electrodes so as to select column regions of the body that are arranged adjacent to one another in a row extending radially outward from a central axis of the body. A bias voltage source is coupled with the electronic switches for substantially polarizing ceramic material within the selected column regions of the body. A sector controller dynamically configures the electronic switches to rotationally vary a position of the row arrangement of selected column regions. An oscillating voltage source excites the row of selected column regions to emit an acoustic beam, so that the beam rotationally scans the medium as the sector controller rotationally varies the position of the row arrangement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.