Method and apparatus for distinguishing between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts
US5487387A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/915
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for distinguishing between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts by using an ultrasonic transducer to transmit a plurality of ultrasonic signals into a target lesion within a human body and for receiving a plurality of reflected signals therefrom. At least one of the plurality of transmitting signals should be of sufficient intensity to initiate movement of any fluid located within the target lesion. A plurality of reflected ultrasonic signals are received from the target lesion and a comparison of differences between individual ones of the plurality of reflected signals is made to detect the presence or absence of fluid movement within the target lesion. Then a determination is made as to whether the target lesion is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass based upon the presence or absence of fluid within the target lesion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.