Electro-dynamic phased array lens for controlling acoustic wave propagation
US6554826B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2007/0078
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electro-dynamic phased array acoustic lens having an array of cells, each of which may be separately controlled to alter characteristics of an incident acoustic wave. Because each cell of the acoustic lens controls the delay and amplitude of the acoustic wave passing through that cell, such an acoustic lens may be used in combination with a single-element transducer to control the characteristics of acoustic waves with a similar degree of control, or more, as that provided by a phased multi-element transducer array. The acoustic lens may also be used in combination with a multi-element transducer, such that all elements of the transducer may be fired at the same phase and amplitude. In other words, an ultrasonic wave that passes through a given cell of the acoustic lens is phase offset as determined by that cell. The acoustic lens may be used in an ultrasonic ablation system to control the ultrasonic waves used to ablate the tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.