Ultrasonic transducer orientation sensing and display apparatus and method
US5701900A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4488
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer orientation sensing and display apparatus, and related method, for use in providing an accurate representation of the orientation of an ultrasonic transducer's imaging plane. The orientation sensing and display apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer having an integral orientation sensor, a processor, and a display. The representation of the imaging plane as indicated on the display is based on electrical signals generated by the orientation sensor. The ultrasonic transducer, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, is integrated near the distal end or tip of an elongated tube of a laparoscopic instrument used for ultrasonic imaging. The orientation sensor is a biaxial gravitational sensor, composed of two orthogonal sensing toroids to sense rotation about any axis lying in a horizontal plane. Each sensing toroid has a hollow tubular shape that contains a gravity indicator that is free to move within the respective sensing toroid for measuring rotation about an axis through the toroid's center. Gravity causes each gravity indicator to migrate to the lowest portion of the respective toroid. The orientation also can include a permanent …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.