Method and apparatus for coupling ultrasound between an ultrasonic transducer and an object
US7100449B2 · kind B2 · utility
7Cited by
82References
33Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2698
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for coupling ultrasound between an ultrasonic transducer and an object. A fluid cavity in an upper chamber has an inlet for receiving a flow of coupling fluid, a first aperture for admitting the ultrasonic transducer into the fluid cavity and a second aperture for dispensing coupling fluid from the fluid cavity to the object. The first and second apertures may be sized to restrict flow of coupling fluid from the fluid cavity. The focus of the ultrasound transducer may be varied by moving the ultrasonic transducer relative to the upper chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.