Compact rotationally steerable ultrasound transducer
US5575288A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K11/355
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
According to the present invention, an ultrasonic imaging system having a remote ultrasound console and a probe connected thereto for inspecting an interior region of a body is provided. The ultrasonic imaging system includes a scanhead housing disposed at a distal end of the probe. A transducer is mounted upon a support structure within the scanhead housing and is electrically connected to the ultrasonic imaging system. The present invention also includes a magnetic position sensor located within the scanhead housing and coupled to the ultrasonic imaging system. The magnetic sensor may be attached to the support structure. In addition, the present invention may include a piezomotor mounted within an ultrasound probe, the piezomotor being mechanically coupled to an acoustic device within the probe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.