Patent · US Expired

Opto-acoustic generator of ultrasound waves from laser energy supplied via optical fiber

US6519376B2 · kind B2 · utility

117Cited by
3References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 1, 2001
Grant dateFeb 11, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 21, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG10K15/046
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The opto-acoustic generator of ultrasound waves comprises an optical fiber associated to a laser-energy source, and an opto-acoustic transducer which is applied to said fiber and is designed to be impinged upon by the laser beam and to absorb partially the energy, converting it into thermal energy, thus bringing about the formation of ultrasound waves by the thermo-acoustic effect. Said opto-acoustic transducer consists of a layer or film containing prevalently graphite, which is applied on a surface of said optical fiber.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.