Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080200810 | ULTRASOUND COUPLING DEVICE - An ultrasound coupling device for transmitting ultrasound waves from an ultrasound transducer to a test specimen, especially to a human or animal body, said coupling device comprising (a) a gel pad ( | 08-21-2008 |
20080200811 | Ultrasonic transducer, method for manufacturing ultrasonic transducer, and ultrasonic endoscope - An ultrasonic transducer according to the invention includes a flexible sheet, a rigid body portion including a lower electrode made of at least a thin-film conductive material on a surface of the flexible sheet, a dividing portion which divides the rigid body portion into segments, and a plurality of transducer elements including the divided rigid body portion, has at least one transducer cell composed of one of the segments, an insulating partition portion bonded to the segment, an air gap portion surrounded by the partition portion, an upper electrode opposed to the lower electrode extending to the partition portion to sandwich the air gap portion therebetween, and an upper insulating layer formed on the upper electrode, and includes an upper protection film which continuously covers a surface portion of the transducer elements and the dividing portion. | 08-21-2008 |
20080200812 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe that can be relatively easily manufactured and has a desired ultrasonic radiation surface. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural supporting materials, each having a principle surface on which plural signal wires are formed, the plural supporting materials arranged such that the principle surfaces are oriented in different directions from one another; plural groups of ultrasonic transducers, plural ultrasonic transducers in each group having plural electrodes formed on side surfaces, the plural electrodes respectively joined to the plural signal wires formed on the principle surface of the respective one of the plural supporting materials. | 08-21-2008 |
20080200813 | COMPONENT ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - An ultrasound transducer having multiple focal zones is described. In one embodiment there is an ultrasound transducer manufactured as a single piece but having two or more focal zones. In a second embodiment there is a transducer assembly combining a high frequency and low frequency transducer. In a third embodiment there is an interchangeable assembly allowing for different ultrasound transducers to be used based on procedural needs. Variations of each embodiment are also disclosed. | 08-21-2008 |
20080208060 | Acoustic Coupler for Medical Imaging - An acoustic coupler for use with an ultrasound probe by a surgeon as a diagnostic tool is described. The present invention provides an acoustic, coupler for use with an ultrasound probe for imaging an anatomical structure, comprising a member that is capable of being sterilized, is acoustically neutral, and is in vivo biocompatible, and comprises: (a) a first surface adapted to receive and fix the position of an ultrasound probe head relative to the member, to ensure the correct orientation of the probe head in relation to the anatomical structure during imaging: and (b) a second surface opposed to the first surface, the second surface being shaped to substantially conform to the contour of the anatomical structure. Also described is a method for producing ultrasonic images of an anatomical structure with an acoustic coupler and an ultrasound probe. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208061 | Methods and systems for spatial compounding in a handheld ultrasound device - Method and systems for medical ultrasound imaging using a handheld ultrasound imaging system is provided. The ultrasound system includes a probe configured to acquire scan data from an object and a handheld device configured to process the received scan data and perform image compounding. | 08-28-2008 |
20080214937 | DEVICE FOR ROTATING A TRANSDUCER OF AN ULTRASONIC PROBE - Embodiments of the present invention may provide a device for rotating a transducer of an ultrasonic probe using a rod. The device of the present invention comprises: a drive motor; a drive disk driven by the drive motor; a transducer including a plurality of ultrasonic elements and having a rotating shaft; a rod holder mounted on the transducer and being shaped of a circular arc centering the rotating shaft of the transducer; and a rod jointed to the drive disk at its one end and to the rod holder at its other end. The rod is curved with a curvature larger than that of the rod holder. | 09-04-2008 |
20080214938 | Optimized Temperature Measurement in an Ultrasound Transducer - There is provided a medical ultrasound transducer ( | 09-04-2008 |
20080221453 | UNIVERSAL ULTRASOUND HOLDER AND ROTATION DEVICE - Provided herein are devices and methods for mounting variously configured medical imaging probes for imaging applications. In one aspect, a holding device allows for interfacing/holding most conventional ultrasound probes such that the probes may be attached to a positioning device using a common interface. As ultrasound probes come in various sizes and lengths, the device may adjust to different lengths, widths and shapes of different probes. Hence, the device may work in a substantially universal manner while securely holding probes with little wobble or other problems. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221454 | Curved 2-D Array Ultrasound Transducer and Method for Volumetric Imaging - An ultrasound imaging system includes an imaging probe having an array of transducer elements that is flat and relatively elongated in the azimuth direction and is curved outwardly in the elevation direction. As a result, when the transducer elements are scanned in a step-wise manner, the acoustic pattern of the probe diverges in the elevation direction. The probe therefore provides a large field of view in the near field despite using relatively few transducer elements. The probe also includes sub-array beamformers to delay signals transmitted and received from the transducer elements in respective sub-arrays. The received signals are coupled to an imaging system which includes a signal path that processes the received signals into signals corresponding to a volumetric image. A display coupled to the signal path can then show a volumetric image of anatomical features in a volumetric region adjacent the array of transducer elements. | 09-11-2008 |
20080228081 | Ultrasonic Intracavity Probe For 3D Imaging - An intracavity ultrasound probe includes a pivotally mounted array transducer which is oscillated to scan a volumetric region from within the body. The transducer is oscillated by a motor located in the probe handle. The array transducer is immersed in a liquid which acoustically couples ultrasonic energy between the elements of the transducer and the body. The acoustic coupling liquid is located in the distal tip of the probe shaft, where only 6 cc of liquid is required. The small amount of liquid reduces the weight of the shaft of the probe so that the center of gravity of the probe is in the handle, making the probe comfortable and easy to manipulate. The majority of parts in the probe shaft are made of aluminum or other low density materials, keeping the overall weight of the probe to about 250 grams. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228082 | Intracavity Probe With Continuous Shielding of Acoustic Window - An ultrasound probe has a transducer array which is moved to scan a patient with ultrasonic energy. The array is located in a fluid chamber ( | 09-18-2008 |
20080243000 | Integrated Circuit For Implementing High-Voltage Ultrasound Functions - An integrated SOI circuit is provided for implementing high-voltage ultrasound functions of an ultrasound imaging system. The integrated circuit is packaged as an integrated chip. The integrated circuit is composed of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology and integrates at least the following high-voltage ultrasound functions: gatedriver, power amplifier, transmit/receive switch. Optionally the integrated chip may contain a low noise amplifier and an analog multiplexer. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243001 | Ultrasonic Attentuation Materials - Improved acoustic attenuation materials and applications are provided. An improved acoustic attenuation material may include a woven layer of fibers made of porous polymers, such as porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), that include interstitial space. An improved acoustic attenuation material may include sheets of porous polymers interleaved with layers of epoxy. The sheets of porous polymers may include through holes. An embodiment of an ultrasonic transducer that includes a backing with woven layers of porous PTFE fibers is provided. The ultrasonic transducer that includes a backing with woven layers of porous PTFE fibers may be used in a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging apparatus. An embodiment of an ultrasonic transducer that includes a plurality of sheets of porous PTFE interleaved with layers of epoxy is provided. The ultrasonic transducer that includes a plurality of sheets of porous PTFE may be used in an ultrasonic imaging catheter. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243002 | Electrostatically driven image probe - The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probe uses electrostatic discharge for actuating a metalized cantilever which holds the end portion of imaging assembly which emits energy in the imaging probe device by holding the cantilever at a potential such that it is neither grounded or charged such that the only electrical path to ground is through a dissipative polymer forming part of the device which is enveloped by a wire or coil held at ground potential. A high voltage electrode attracts the metalized cantilever and the dissipative polymer is used to connect to the cantilever to ground causing the cantilever to move about thereby scanning the region in front of the probe. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243003 | SLIP RING SPACE AND METHOD FOR ITS USE - An interchangeable transducer for use with an ultrasound medical system having a keyless adaptor and capable of operating in a wet environment. The interchangeable transducer has an adaptor for engaging a medical system, an ultrasound transducer and additional electronics to provide a self-contained insert for easy replacement and usage in a variety of medical applications. A slip ring spacer is also disclosed, the slip ring spacer for use with a pancake slip ring having a base and flange configuration to form one or more channels around each contact ring of the pancake slip ring. The channels provide fluid isolation around each connector to help reduce electronic cross talk and contact corrosion between the connector pads of the slip ring while the slip ring is immersed in a wet environment. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243004 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe in which cable wiring between transducers within the ultrasonic probe and connector terminals can be simplified. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to supplied drive signals, and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output detection signals; plural terminals provided in a connector to be used for connecting the plural ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body; plural cables for electrically connecting the plural ultrasonic transducers and the plural terminals to one another; and a storage unit for storing connection relationship data representing connection relationships between the plural ultrasonic transducers and the plural terminals. | 10-02-2008 |
20080249417 | Non-Linear Ultrasonic Diagnostic Imaging Using Intermodulation Product Signals - An ultrasonic imaging system transmits waveforms containing first and second major frequency components which are intermodulated by passage through a nonlinear medium or interaction with a contrast agent microbubble to produce a difference frequency component. In an illustrated embodiment the second major frequency is twice the frequency of the first major frequency, resulting in a difference frequency signal at the first major frequency. Two differently modulated transmit waveforms are transmitted and the difference frequency component is separated by pulse inversion. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249418 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM INCLUDING A MOTOR DRIVING MULTIPLANE ULTRASOUND PROBE AND IMAGE DATA ACQUIRING METHOD - An ultrasound diagnosis system including a motor driving multi-plane ultrasound probe for acquiring image data at a voluntary scanning plane in a body of a patient is provided. The data acquisition is performed by driving rotation of a plurality of transducers arranged in a head portion of the probe toward a target angle of a prescribed rotation range by driving an arranged surface of the plurality transducers so as to make a plurality of scanning planes toward a first direction in a normal mode. The driving direction of the head portion is automatically reversed by 180 degrees to a second direction opposite to the first direction at a high speed in a reverse mode when the rotation angle of the head portion arrives at the target angle. The reversed head portion can continue to acquire image data at the same scanning planes to the previous scanning planes of the rotation drive to the first direction. | 10-09-2008 |
20080255455 | Probe holder for portable diagnostic ultrasound system - An ultrasound probe holder for use with a portable ultrasound system comprises a probe holder that is configured to have first and second interconnection portions. The first interconnection portion is configured to interconnect with a three-dimensional (3D) object. A second opening is formed in the second interconnection portion, and is configured to accept a scanning end of an ultrasound probe. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255456 | ULTRASOUND PROBE HAVING A TRANSDUCER ARRAY WITH MULTIPLE RADII OF CURVATURE - The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe used in an ultrasound system. The ultrasound probe includes a body and a transmission/reception unit mounted on the body and having at least one partially curved array transducer operable to reciprocally convert ultrasound signals and electric signals. The curved array transducer may be sized and configured to have multiple radii of curvature. | 10-16-2008 |
20080262357 | TRANSMIT/RECEIVE CIRCUITRY FOR ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS - A transceiver for use in an ultrasound system is provided. The transceiver is configured to operate in a transmit mode and a receive mode. The transceiver comprises a high voltage switch, a low voltage switch and a resistor coupled to the high voltage switch and the low voltage switch. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262358 | THERMALLY ENHANCED PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT - A system and method for removing unwanted heat generated by a piezoelectric element of an ultrasound transducer. Some implementations have high thermal conductivity (HTC) material placed adjacent to the piezoelectric element. The HTC material can be thermally coupled to one or more heat sinks. Use of HTC material in conjunction with these piezoelectric element surfaces is managed to avoid degradation of propagating acoustic energy. Use of the HTC material in conjunction with heat sinks allows for creation of thermal paths away from the piezoelectric element. Active cooling of the heat sinks with water or air can further draw heat from the piezoelectric element. Further implementations form a composite matrix of thermally conductive material or interleave thermally conductive layers with piezoelectric material. | 10-23-2008 |
20080269613 | Versatile Breast Ultrasound Scanning - Versatile ultrasound scanning of a breast is described using an apparatus ( | 10-30-2008 |
20080269614 | CAPACITIVE MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER (cMUT) DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) device, comprising: a cMUT formed on a semiconductor substrate; a DC high-voltage generation unit that is provided on the semiconductor substrate and that is for generating a DC high-voltage signal to be superposed on a driving signal for the cMUT; a driving signal generation unit that is provided on the semiconductor substrate and that is for generating the driving signal; and a superposition unit that is provided on the semiconductor substrate and that is for branching the DC high-voltage signal output from the DC high-voltage generation unit and for superposing one of the branched DC high-voltage signals on the other of the branched DC high-voltage signals via the driving signal generation unit. | 10-30-2008 |
20080275346 | ULTRASOUND THERAPY APPARATUS - An ultrasound therapy apparatus includes a signal generating device for generating an oscillatory wave signal, and configured to switch automatically frequency of the oscillatory wave signal between at least first and second preset frequency values. An amplitude adjusting unit is connected electrically to the signal generating device for receiving the oscillatory wave signal therefrom, and is operable so as to adjust amplitude of the oscillatory wave signal for outputting a driving signal. A probe device is connected electrically to the amplitude adjusting unit, and is driven by the driving signal from the amplitude adjusting unit so as to output ultrasound energy that is adapted to be applied to a human body. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281206 | Ultrasound Measurement System and Method - An ultrasound measurement system including a handheld display and processing means, an ultrasound transducer, a processing means of a substantially similar weight to the handheld display and processing means, and a transmission cable interconnecting the handheld display and processing means with the ultrasound transducer and processing means, the cable being of sufficient length to provide a means to mechanically locate the system around the neck of a user. | 11-13-2008 |
20080294050 | Ultrasonic Imaging Apparatus - It is possible to realize an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of eliminating deterioration of the S/N of the ultrasonic image while suppressing enlargement of the circuit size. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of transducers arranged for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined; transmission means for supplying a drive signal to each of the transducers; reception means for phasing/adding and receiving a reflected echo signal received by each transducer; and an image processing unit for reconfiguring an ultrasonic image based on the reflected echo signal received. The transmission means divides the plurality of transducers into a plurality of groups, supplies a common drive signal to the transducers belonging to the same group, and performs focus control by group units. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294051 | ULTRASONIC OPERATING APPARATUS - The ultrasonic operating apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer that generates ultrasonic vibrations, and a probe that has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the proximal end portion being coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and to which ultrasonic vibrations output from the ultrasonic transducer are transmitted, where the probe has a probe main body having a length of an integral multiple of about a half wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations and an adjusting portion that changes a weight and a dimension of the probe main body to adjust a resonance frequency of the probe main body. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294052 | Biplane ultrasound imaging and corresponding transducer - An ultrasonic imaging tube is provided. A tube body has a longitudinal axis and a circumference. A first transducer array is disposed in the body along the longitudinal axis. A second transducer array is disposed in the body along the longitudinal axis. The first transducer array is substantially parallel with the second transducer array. The first transducer array and the second transducer array are at a first non-zero angle to each other about the longitudinal axis. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294053 | Ultrasonic probe and manufacturing process thereof - The invention relates to an ultrasonic probe in which the array accuracy of lead wires, and heat resistance when connecting to a connector are enhanced, and a manufacturing method therefor. The ultrasonic probe of the invention is one in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arrayed in a two-dimensional direction on a fixing base, and lead wires from the lower surface of each of the piezoelectric elements are inserted through the fixing base, and the electrically connected lead wires are led out, and the fixing base has an opening portion in an array direction of the piezoelectric elements, and comprises unit fixing plates laminated in the array direction, and grooves through which the lead wires are inserted, are formed on one principal surface of the unit fixing plates, and damper material is filled into the opening portion. The invention is also for a manufacturing method for the ultrasonic probe. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294054 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - An ultrasound probe is provided with a piezoelectric sensor module, which includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged two-dimensionally and configured to generate an ultrasound beam so that the beam is reflected by a subject's body and to capture a resulting reflection signal, and a control circuit board that is electrically connected to the piezoelectric sensor module through a flexible substrate and transmits or receives a signal to or from the piezoelectric sensor module. The control circuit board is composed of a transmit-only circuit board, a receive-only circuit board, and a relay flexible substrate that electrically connects the transmit-only and receive-only circuit boards. | 11-27-2008 |
20080300488 | Finger mounted probe adapted for intraoperative use - An ultrasound finger-mounted probe that has a finger clip that is adapted to be mounted on a human finger. The finger clip also has an interior surface adapted to contact the human finger. An ultrasound probe is adapted to be supported by the finger clip. Also, the ultrasound probe protrudes outwardly, relative to the interior surface, by less than 1.5 cm. | 12-04-2008 |
20080300489 | Cable and connector system for an ultrasound probe - A finger-mounted ultrasound probe assembly having an ultrasound probe, adapted to be mounted on a finger and a multi-conductor cable, attached to the ultrasound probe. In addition, a forearm unit is connected to the multi-conductor cable and includes a physical connector to bind the forearm unit to a user's forearm. Also, the ultrasound probe and the forearm unit are adapted to cooperatively engage so that the ultrasound probe may be engaged to and retained by the forearm unit, to stow the ultrasound probe when not in immediate use. | 12-04-2008 |
20080300490 | Portable ultrasound imaging system - A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged. | 12-04-2008 |
20080306387 | Finger mounted imaging and sensing assembly - An ultrasound finger probe having a finger clip that is adapted to be mounted on a human finger and an ultrasound probe that is supported by the finger clip. Also, control input elements are mounted on the finger clip and are adapted to control the operation of the ultrasound probe. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306388 | Non-Strap Treatment Applicator - An ultrasound transducer assembly including a ultrasound transducer and a transducer holder. The transducer holder may have a central body and a plurality of arms, wherein the lower surfaces of the plurality of arms comprises an adhesive to adhere the ultrasound transducer assembly proximate to a treatment site. | 12-11-2008 |
20080312536 | Oscillating Phased-Array Ultrasound Imaging Catheter System - A dynamic ultrasound image catheter includes a catheter body with an acoustic window on the distal end, an ultrasound phased array transducer assembly configured to rotate within the acoustic window through an angle of rotation, an acoustic coupling fluid filling a gap between the transducer array and the acoustic window, and a drive motor at the proximal end of the catheter body that is configured to rotate the transducer array. The drive motor may transmit a rotational force to the ultrasound phased array transducer by a drive wire or by tension wires coupled to drive spools. A system processor coupled to the drive motor controls rotation of the transducer array and estimates the angular orientation of the transducer array. By taking ultrasound images at increments through the angle of rotation, the dynamic ultrasound image catheter can obtain images spanning a volume which can be processed to generate three-dimensional composite images. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312537 | COMPOSITE PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL, ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A composite piezoelectric material capable of reducing a peak temperature of a vibrator array to be used for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic waves in ultrasonic imaging. The composite piezoelectric material includes: plural piezoelectric materials arranged along a flat surface or curved surface; and an anisotropic heat conducting material having a higher coefficient of thermal conductivity in at least one direction and provided between the plural piezoelectric materials and/or at outer peripheries of the plural piezoelectric materials. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312538 | Urethral Blockage Diagnosis - A system and method are provided for the determination of urethral blockage. The system comprises a transducer arrangement for locating in the vicinity of the patient's urine flow, and a control unit in communication with the transducer arrangement. The transducer arrangement has at least one acoustic transducer capable of at least receiving acoustic waves, generated by the patient's urine flow, and producing an output signal indicative thereof. The control unit receives and processes the output signal and determines a change in the output signal indicative of the urethral blockage. | 12-18-2008 |
20090005685 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND INSPECTION APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe includes a light irradiating portion configured to radiate light for generating ultrasonic waves from a light absorber, an ultrasonic transducing portion configured to transduce the ultrasonic waves to an electric signal, and a light guide member configured to introduce light from a light source to the light irradiating portion. A light irradiating region of the light irradiating portion is included within an ultrasonic receiving region of the ultrasonic transducing portion. | 01-01-2009 |
20090005686 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an operating device for an operator to input an instruction; a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; an image display device for displaying an ultrasonic image; and an processing device which drives the probe based on the instruction, produces the ultrasonic image, and displays the image on the image display device. The processing device is mounted on an installation platform or placed on a floor. A cable receiving space is provided inside the processing device or the installation platform for receiving a cable of probe. A probe connector is provided above an opening of the cable receiving space such that the cable is received into the cable receiving space in the shape of a U. A movable pulley is hung from a lower end of the U-shaped cable, and the movable pulley is supported on a rail in a vertically movable manner. | 01-01-2009 |
20090012401 | MOTOR DRIVER FOR ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - A motor driver for an ultrasound system is provided. The ultrasound system includes a transmitter and receiver, both communicatively coupled to a transducer array of an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound system further includes a digital motor driver for controlling movement of the transducer array. | 01-08-2009 |
20090024038 | Acoustic imaging probe incorporating photoacoustic excitation - Various embodiments of the present invention provide for a photoacoustic imaging probe for use in a photoacoustic imaging system, whereby the probe is comprised of a cohesive composite, acoustic lens incorporating aspheric geometry and exhibiting low or practically no measurable dispersion of acoustic waves constructed of at least one material with a low acoustic impedance and attenuation and a relatively low acoustic velocity and at least one other material with a low acoustic impedance and attenuation and a relatively high acoustic velocity. The probe is housed in a conduit filled with a low acoustic velocity and low acoustic impedance fluid such as water or mineral oil. The lens may be designed as a telecentric lens, an acoustic zoom lens, a catadioptric lens, or a reflective lens. The lens focuses acoustic waves on an acoustic imager which detects the image. The acoustic imager may be designed as a 2 dimensional array of transducers. Research to date indicates that within the range of acoustic frequencies of interest, 1 MHz-50 MHz and preferable 2 MHz-10 MHz, there exists little velocity variation within the materials of interest, and the lens design approach may currently be considered to be essentially monochromatic. The acoustic waves can be generated when an emitting light source illuminates a test subject comprising materials that generate acoustic waves at differing intensities and/or frequencies when illuminated with light, for example tissue containing blood vessels, wherein the blood vessels excite and generate an acoustic pulse. The probe has an acoustic window made of a material with low acoustic impedance which allows the acoustic pulse to enter the probe without distortion and then may be reflected by a mirror onto the acoustic lens. The probe may include the emitting light source and an optical window to allow light emitting from said light source to illuminate the test subject. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024039 | HANDHELD VOLUMETRIC ULTRASOUND SCANNING DEVICE - An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue volume are described, the apparatus being particularly advantageous in the context of freehand ultrasound assisted biopsy of the breast although readily applied to non-biopsy contexts and other body parts. The apparatus comprises a casing configured and dimensioned for single-handed manipulation relative to a surface of the tissue, and a texturably couplant-porous material sheet extending across an opening of the casing. The texturably couplant-porous material sheet has an outer side and an inner side relative to the casing, the outer side for compressively contacting the tissue surface. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound transducer positioned against the inner side of the texturably couplant-porous material sheet and being mechanically translatable thereacross for volumetrically scanning the tissue volume therethrough. | 01-22-2009 |
20090030324 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes: a transmitting section | 01-29-2009 |
20090030325 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC ENDSCOPE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - In an ultrasonic probe to be used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for medical use, ultrasonic transducers are cooled while sufficiently absorbing ultrasonic waves released to the back of the ultrasonic transducers without causing attenuation of ultrasonic waves transmitted or received by the ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic probe includes: an ultrasonic transducer array including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; an acoustic matching layer provided on a front of the ultrasonic transducer array; a cooling mechanism directly or indirectly provided on a back of the ultrasonic transducer array and including a porous member; a backing material provided on the back of the ultrasonic transducer array via at least the cooling mechanism; and channels for circulation of a liquid heat transfer material in the cooling mechanism. | 01-29-2009 |
20090036777 | USING ACOUSTIC ENERGY TO COMPUTE A LUNG EDEMA FLUID STATUS INDICATION - Systems and methods for monitoring lung edema fluid status, such as monitoring the presence or absence of pulmonary edema, in a subject using information about responsive acoustic energy echoes from a lung are described. The system comprises, among other things, an implantable device including an acoustic transducer configured to emit acoustic energy to a lung and to receive one or more responsive acoustic energy echoes from a lung. In an example, the implantable device includes a cardiac function management device having an acoustic window in a body thereof. In another example, the implantable device includes one or more subcutaneous leads. An implantable or external processor circuit is configured to receive information about the acoustic energy echoes to compute and provide a lung edema fluid status indication; such information may include an increased number or special pattern of acoustic energy echoes received or a decreased time between successively received echoes. | 02-05-2009 |
20090036778 | DUAL FREQUENCY DOPPLER ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasonic Doppler probe is provided for use in connection with non-invasive Doppler imaging of fluid flow within the human body. The Doppler probe can be selectively operated at more than one frequency during the course of a Doppler imaging examination thereby enhancing the resolution of the image obtained while also increasing the effective depth of the image. The probe of the present invention employs piezo-electric materials for the formation of acoustic transmitting and receiving transducers that are positioned within the probe to allow the probe to be selectively operated at a number of different frequencies spanning no more than one octave in frequency range. | 02-05-2009 |
20090036779 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - Pressure distribution on a surface of an ultrasonic probe can be measured directly. Piezoelectric sensors, in which a piezoelectric thin film is formed on a film-like substrate, are arranged in the form of an array on the surface of an ultrasonic probe, and a sensor output signal processing unit outputs pressure measured for each piezoelectric sensor S | 02-05-2009 |
20090036780 | Wired and Wireless Remotely Controlled Ultrasonic Transducer and Imaging Apparatus - A remotely manipulatable transducer element or linear transducer array for use with a remote work station including a display permits an operator of an ultrasound system to be remotely located from a patient. The transducer or linear transducer array comprises an assembly within a housing for fixation to a human body and intended to be placed one time and then remotely manipulated in directions of rotation, twist, and linearly in first and second perpendicular directions within a plane parallel to the surface of the human body under study. In one embodiment, the housing comprises a motor and a linear transducer array which are mounted to a rotor of the motor via an optional gear assembly for rotation, for example, in a range of 180 degrees so that multiple planes of imaging can be obtained, for example, of a heart or other body organ. The remotely manipulatable transducer or transducer array assembly may comprise a wireless transceiver having a unique identifier for communication with one or more work stations, each having a unique identifier. | 02-05-2009 |
20090043209 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A probe includes a transducer unit including a plurality of transducers which are arrayed in the first direction, transmit ultrasonic waves and receive echo signals, and a moving mechanism for continuously moving the transducer unit in the second direction crossing the first direction. A movement control unit controls the moving mechanism to continuously move the transducer unit in the second direction. A transmission unit causes the transducer unit to generate ultrasonic waves. A scan line signal generation unit generates a plurality of actual measurement scan line signals by delaying and adding a plurality of echo signals from the transducer unit. A scan line signal calculation unit calculates a plurality of mathematical scan line signals constituting a plurality of mathematical electronic scan planes from the plurality of actual measurement scan line signals. An image generation unit generates multislice tomograms on the basis of the plurality of calculated mathematical scan line signals. | 02-12-2009 |
20090048519 | Hybrid Dual Layer Diagnostic Ultrasound Transducer Array - An ultrasound transducer array having a transmit transducer element comprising a transmit transducer material interposed between a transmit electrode and a reference electrode, wherein voltages applied across the transmit electrode and reference electrode induce an acoustic wave to emanate from the transmit transducer material; and a plurality of receive transducer elements positioned in an array on the transmit transducer element, each of the plurality of the receive transducer elements comprising a receive electrode and a receive transducer material interposed between the receive electrode and the reference electrode, and wherein acoustic waves applied to the plurality of receive transducer elements induces receive voltage signals on the receive electrodes with respect to the reference electrode. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048520 | Multi-headed imaging probe and imaging system using same - A diagnostic imaging system is provided that includes an image acquisition component, a transmitter operatively coupled to the image acquisition component to transmit a signal therefrom, and a beamformer operatively coupled to the image acquisition component to receive image data therefrom. Also included is a processor configured to assemble images from the acquired image data and a display configured to display the images. The image acquisition component includes a multi-headed probe that has a plurality of transducers configured to permit a change of active transducers during an imaging session without a change of the image acquisition component. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048521 | Short Axis Oscillating Ultrasonic Probe - A short axis oscillating ultrasonic probe is configured such that: a piezoelectric element group that is arranged in a long axis direction and that has an acoustic lens on an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface thereof is provided on a rotational retention base; the rotational retention base is housed within a sealed container so as to rotate and oscillate in a short axis direction of the piezoelectric element group; ultrasonic waves that are transmitted and received from the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface of the piezoelectric element group are mechanically scanned in the short axis direction; and a liquid that serves as an acoustic medium is filled within the sealed container; and has a means for absorbing unwanted ultrasonic waves that propagate in the long axis direction, between the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface and the inner circumferential surface of the sealed container, and as the means for absorbing unwanted ultrasonic waves, a projecting section is provided on both end sides of the acoustic lens positioned in the long axis direction. As a result, there is provided a short axis oscillating ultrasonic probe that reduces operation processes in manufacturing the probe while achieving reliable sealing as well as absorption of unwanted ultrasonic waves, and that reduces the weight of the probe while achieving an excellent level of operability during diagnosis. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048522 | Modulation in Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers - A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) system uses a modulation technique to increase cMUT sensitivity. An AC carrier signal is applied to the cMUT through a modulation signal port to modulate the signal. The higher frequency of the AC carrier signal carries the real signal to a high frequency range to increase the output current signal level. The real signal is later recovered by demodulation. The technique is applicable in both the reception mode and the transmission mode. | 02-19-2009 |
20090054781 | Diagnostic imaging device having protective facade and method of cleaning and disinfecting same - A diagnostic imaging device is provided that includes a display panel, a set of switches including at least one of a proximity switch and a capacitive switch, and a one-piece non-flexible facade covering the display panel and the set of switches. The facade is transparent over at least a portion of the display panel and configured such that the set of switches are operable by a user. A method for cleaning the imaging system includes operating the diagnostic imaging device, including the set of switches, by touching the one-piece non-flexible facade with human fingers or a stylus over selected switches, and, after said operating the diagnostic imaging device, disinfecting the diagnostic imaging device by cleaning the one-piece non-flexible facade with quaternary ammonium or isopropyl alcohol, or both. | 02-26-2009 |
20090054782 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe; a transceiver device which drives said ultrasound probe to scan a subject with an ultrasound beam; an image generating device which generates an ultrasound image on the basis of received signals obtained by said scanning; a display device which displays said ultrasound image; a first operation device and a second operation device to enable an operator to input instructions; and a control device which accepts instructions inputted from said first operation device and instructions inputted from said second operation device and controls said transceiver device, said image generating device and said display device in accordance with the instructions. | 02-26-2009 |
20090054783 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, ULTRASOUND PROBE, AND TEMPERATURE CALCULATING METHOD - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a temperature sensor disposed on an ultrasound probe to detect the temperature of the surface of the probe, a calculating unit which calculates the temperature on the basis of an input from the temperature sensor, and a storage unit in which the temperature characteristics of said temperature sensor measured in advance are stored. Said calculating unit performs temperature calculation according to the temperature characteristics of said temperature sensor stored in said storage unit. | 02-26-2009 |
20090054784 | Ultrasonic sensor - An ultrasonic sensor for detecting an object includes: a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric body and first and second electrodes for sandwiching the piezoelectric body; an acoustic matching element having a reception surface, which receives an ultrasonic wave reflected by the object; and a circuit electrically coupled with the piezoelectric element via a wire. The piezoelectric element is embedded in the acoustic matching element so that the acoustic matching element covers at least the first electrode, a part of a sidewall of the piezoelectric element and a part of the wire between the circuit and the piezoelectric element, and the sidewall of the piezoelectric element is adjacent to the first electrode. | 02-26-2009 |
20090062655 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe is provided capable of eliminating difficulties in processing, increasing the directivity of ultrasonic waves, and obtaining a high-resolution diagnostic image. An ultrasonic probe | 03-05-2009 |
20090062656 | BACKING MATERIAL, ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPE, ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, AND ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPIC APPARATUS - A backing material for suppressing the surface temperature rise of an ultrasonic probe. This backing material is provided on a back face of at least one vibrator for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves in an ultrasonic probe, and includes: a backing base material containing a polymeric material; and a heat conducting fiber provided in the backing base material, having a larger coefficient of thermal conductivity than that of the backing base material, and running through without disconnection from a first face of the backing material in contact with the at least one vibrator to a second face different from the first face. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062657 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an operating device for an operator to input an instruction, a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, an image display device for displaying an ultrasonic image, and a processing device. The processing device controls driving the probe based on the instruction, generates the ultrasonic image based on a received signal, and displays the ultrasonic image on the image display device. The operating device is formed separately from the processing device and the image display device is supported by an arm extending from a column support along the processing device or by an arm extending from the processing device. | 03-05-2009 |
20090069686 | Piezoelectric and CMUT layered ultrasound transducer array - A CMUT or other semiconductor-based transducer is stacked with a piezoelectric transducer (PZT). The CMUT is sufficiently thin to avoid or limit interference with sound propagation through the CMUT from or to the PZT or crosstalk between transmitter elements. The PZT/CMUT layered structure is used as a matrix array, such as an array with a multi-dimensional arrangement of elements. The CMUT array is formed and thinned using semiconductor processing. The PZT transmits acoustic energy through the thin CMUT. The CMUT receives responsive echoes. Using integrated electronics in the thin wafer of the CMUT limits interconnection problems for the matrix receive array. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069687 | MEDICAL APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION INDICATIVE OF INTERNAL STATE OF AN OBJECT BASED ON PHYSICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN ULTRASOUND WAVE AND LIGHT - A medical apparatus comprises a sound-wave radiating member and a light radiating member. The sound-wave radiating member radiates ultrasound wave into an object, the ultrasound wave having a plurality of frequency components different from each other. The light radiating member radiates light into a region within the object, the ultrasound wave being already radiated into the region. Thus, the light reflects and scatters at depth-directional higher-density local portions of the object, which are caused by the ultrasound wave inside the object. Further, the apparatus comprises a light receiving member receiving light reflected in the region in response to the radiated light. In this apparatus, information indicative of a reflected (and scattered) state of the radiated light in the region is calculated based on the received light and the radiated ultrasound wave. For example, the ultrasound wave being radiated increases its frequency over time. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069688 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - There is provided an ultrasound probe including a first substrate having a silicon substrate and an ultrasound transmit-receive element, an acoustic lens disposed over an upper surface of the first substrate, and a damping layer disposed under the first substrate, in which a second substrate is disposed between a lower surface of the first substrate and an upper surface of the damping layer, and the second substrate is made of a material having approximately the same linear expansion coefficient and acoustic impedance as the silicon substrate of the first substrate. With this structure, it is possible to provide the ultrasound probe which can prevent damage to the silicon substrate due to temperature change and has excellent transmission/reception performance and structure reliability while reducing noise by reflected waves in transmission and reception. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069689 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe includes: a composite piezoelectric element including piezoelectric elements arranged through gaps on a plane and a filler filled in each of the gaps; an adhesive layer positioned in an ultrasonic wave irradiating direction orthogonal to the plane, the adhesive layer being in contact with one plate surface of the composite piezoelectric element; and a complete reflector layer joined to the composite piezoelectric element through the adhesive layer to reflect an ultrasonic elastic oscillation generated in the composite piezoelectric element substantially toward the composite piezoelectric element plate surface. The composite piezoelectric element has a plate-like connector portion constituted by only the piezoelectric elements, the plate-like connector portion covering the whole of the composite piezoelectric element. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069690 | Ultrasound Diagnostic System - The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic system. The ultrasound diagnostic system includes a plurality of connectors. Each of the connectors has a signal transmitter to transmit an identification signal uniquely identifying the respective connector. The ultrasound diagnostic system further includes a plurality of probes. Each of the probes has a signal detector and an indicator assembly. In response to a connection of each of the probes to one of the connectors, the signal detector of the respective probe is configured to detect the identification signal identifying said one of the connectors and the indicator assembly of the respective probe is configured to provide an identification of said one of the connectors based on the identification signal. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069691 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - Provided is an ultrasonic probe, which can be improved in quality, which can acquire characteristics of a high sensitivity and a wide band and which can acquire an ultrasonic image of a high resolution. In this ultrasonic probe, grooves ( | 03-12-2009 |
20090069692 | Ultrasonic Synthetic Transmit Focusing With a Multiline Beamformer - An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces an image with an extended focal range by transmitting a plurality of beams spaced along an array for multiline reception. The receive multilines of a plurality of transmit beams are spatially aligned and are combined with phase adjustment between the respective receive multilines to prevent undesired phase cancellation. The combined multilines produce the effect of an extended transmit focus so that an image produced using the combined multilines exhibits an extended focal range. To prevent motion artifacts the multiline order is adjustable as a function of image motion. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069693 | Retrospective Dynamic Transmit Focusing for Spatial Compounding - An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system transmits a plurality of focused beams normal to the plane of a transducer aperture and receives multiple receive lines in response to each transmitted beam. Sub-apertures of the transducer aperture are defined by apodization and signals of the sub-apertures are aligned and combined to produce signals exhibiting the effect of transmit steering at different angles with respect to the sub-apertures. The steered signals are detected and the detected signals relating to common points in an image field are combined. The combined detected signals are used to produce an ultrasound image with reduced speckle. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076392 | Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus - For realization of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of satisfactorily narrowing a beam width while suppressing an increase in the number of focus data, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is designed to include an ultrasonic probe | 03-19-2009 |
20090076393 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER AND ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A micromachined ultrasound transducer including a plurality of ultrasound transducer cells each of which includes a substrate on which a bottom electrode is formed, and a membrane provided apart from the substrate and having an upper electrode formed thereon, said ultrasound transducer generating ultrasound with the membrane vibrating when voltage is applied between the bottom electrode and the upper electrode, comprises: a vibration propagation suppression unit suppressing propagation of vibration of said each ultrasound transducer cell to an adjacent ultrasound transducer cell. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076394 | High-frequency tissue imaging devices and methods - The present invention relates to systems and methods for signal processing of an ultrasound images. More specifically, a preferred embodiment of an ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer array that provides imaging signals at a first frequency, f | 03-19-2009 |
20090082673 | Semiconductor matching layer in a layered ultrasound transducer array - A same transducer includes both piezoelectric and CMUT transducer layers. The semiconductor substrate used for the CMUT is also used as a matching layer. A portion of the semiconductor material is removed and the kerfs or voids are filled to provide the desired density, volume ratio, and/or acoustic impedance. This composite portion operates as a matching layer for the piezoelectric transducer layer. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082674 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having a plurality of transducer groups with a simple apparatus configuration having a plurality of transducer groups which are provided at a distal end portion of a probe, and are configured by a plurality of transducers arranged in a circumferential form or an arc form having a same radius of curvature, and a common sound ray synthesis table storing control data of the respective transducer groups. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082675 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS - A transmission and reception unit repeatedly scans a three-dimensional scanning area including a specific part of a patient with an ultrasonic beam via an ultrasonic probe. A volume data set generation unit generates a plurality of volume data sets whose scanning times different from one another in accordance with the output from the transmission and reception unit. A section image generation unit respectively generates the data of a plurality of the section images concerning the predetermined section of the specific part based on the plurality of the volume data sets. An image display unit displays the plurality of section images by changing at least one of the position and the size of each of the plurality of section images against the display area in accordance with variation of at least one of the position and the shape of the specific part on the plurality of section images. | 03-26-2009 |
20090088642 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING METHOD - In an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, image quality is improved without increase in the number of ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: a transmitting unit for supplying drive signals to plural ultrasonic transducers so as to form an ultrasonic beam having a beam width that covers adjacent two or more transmission lines; a receiving unit for performing phase-matching processing and addition processing on the reception signals to generate RF data in which focuses of ultrasonic echoes are narrowed in positions corresponding to respective pixels of an ultrasonic image to be displayed; an RF data storage unit for storing the RF data with respect to a plural number of transmissions of the ultrasonic beams; and an image signal generating unit for averaging the RF data for the plural number of transmissions and generating an image signal representing the ultrasonic image based on the averaged RF data. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088643 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER - A ultrasonic probe has a plurality of piezoelectric transducers arranged in the array direction. Each piezoelectric transducer has a piezoelectric element which vibrates in the thickness direction. A signal electrode is formed on the lower surface of the piezoelectric element. An earth electrode is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric element. Inside the piezoelectric element, a plurality of non-piezoelectric elements are arranged along the lens direction. Each non-piezoelectric element does not come in contact with the signal electrode and the earth electrode. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088644 | CIRCULAR ARC WIDE BEAM TRANSMISSION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING - A circular arc wide beam transmission method includes setting parameters for a focusing circular arc and calculating a transmission delay for each of the array elements in a transmission aperture of a probe based on the parameters for the focusing circular arc. An ultrasonic imaging system controls each array element to transmit ultrasonic waves according to the transmission delay for that array element. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088645 | Portable Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device - There is provided a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device wherein a handle for easy carriage or transportation is removably coupled to a main body. The portable ultrasonic diagnostic device comprises: a main body having two fixing holes at one edge thereof; a handle, one end portion and the opposite end portion thereof being adapted to be inserted into the main body through the two fixing holes; and a device for removably coupling the one end portion and the opposite end portion of the handle to the main body. | 04-02-2009 |
20090093722 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe has a plurality of modules joined at least along the elevation direction. The module has a plurality of first piezoelectric transducers having a first width with respect to the elevation direction. The module has at least one second piezoelectric transducer having a second width narrower than the first width with respect to the elevation direction. The second piezoelectric transducer is arranged at the module ends with respect to the elevation direction. The module is arranged in such a manner that the second piezoelectric transducer faces the second piezoelectric transducer of the adjacent module. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093723 | ULTRASOUND DEVICE INCLUDING DISPENSER - An ultrasound device, comprising: a housing; an ultrasound transducer disposed within the housing, the transducer having a wear layer; at least one port formed in the housing; a lubricant reservoir operably connected to the at least one port; and a pump in fluid connection with the lubricant reservoir, the pump dispensing lubricant from the reservoir through the at least one port. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093724 | METHOD FOR OPTIMISING THE FOCUSSING OF WAVES THROUGH AN ABERRATION-INDUCING ELEMENT - The invention concerns a method for optimizing the focusing of waves in a zone of interest of a medium, with the waves being emitted by a network of sources to the medium through an aberration-inducing element that introduces an initially indeterminate phase shift. The method according to the invention proposes to use M−1 successive modifications of the emitted wave, each giving rise to a perturbation. According to the invention, the M perturbations are measured in the zone of interest at each modification of the phase and/or amplitude distributions, and these measurements are used to deduce optimal focusing characteristics to maximize the perturbation induced in the zone of interest. | 04-09-2009 |
20090099453 | STAND-ALONE CW DOPPLER PROBE INTERFACE FOR PHASED ARRAY ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - A stand-alone continuous wave (CW) Doppler probe (CW probe) comprises a scanning end that has a single transmit element and a single receive element. A connector has probe connecting elements configured to interface with port connecting elements of a probe port that is provided on an ultrasound system. The port connecting elements are configured to connect with system channels of the ultrasound system. Transmit circuitry connects a first set of the probe connecting elements in parallel, and the transmit circuitry is interconnected with the transmit element. Receive circuitry connects a second set of the probe connecting elements in parallel, and the receive circuitry is interconnected with the receive element. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099454 | Equal phase two-dimensional array probe - An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object includes a 2D array probe constructed with transducer elements in both azimuth and elevation dimension. There is a multiplexer disposed in one dimension to route the transducer elements to system front-end channels, while the other dimension can sum into the first dimension with various element number. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099455 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS METHOD AND APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasound probe having a plurality of elements arranged therein, the ultrasound probe transmitting ultrasound toward a subject, receiving an ultrasound signal reflected off the subject, and outputting a received signal; a device that changes a preset assumed sound speed with respect to an actual sound speed of the ultrasound transmitted toward the subject; and a frame position calculation device that determines similarity of each portion between each frame by using speckles in RF data or amplitude images based on two or more of the different assumed sound speeds and calculates frame positions, thereby determining similarity in a stable, uniform, accurate manner without lowering a frame rate. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099456 | Ultrasonic Synthetic Transmit Focusing With Motion Compensation - An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces an image with an extended focal range by transmitting a plurality of beams spaced along an array for multiline reception. The receive multilines of a plurality of transmit beams are spatially aligned and are combined with phase adjustment between the respective receive multilines to prevent undesired phase cancellation. The combined multilines produce the effect of an extended transmit focus so that an image produced using the combined multilines exhibits an extended focal range. To prevent motion artifacts the multiline order is adjustable as a function of image motion. | 04-16-2009 |
20090105596 | TRANSDUCER ARRAYS FOR MEDICAL ULTRASOUND AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - An ultrasound transducer ( | 04-23-2009 |
20090112098 | THIN-PROFILE THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND APPLICATORS - An ultrasound therapy probe including a thin-profile therapy head for implementing therapeutic procedures in confined spaces. The thin-profile is achieved by incorporating a cooling fluid channel about a periphery of at least a portion of the housing. A therapy transducer is disposed in an inner volume of the housing, and fluid circulated through the peripheral cooling channel can be used to remove heat generated by the therapy transducer, without requiring bulky external cooling devices, such as balloons. The housing can include an acoustic lens portion, to enable the housing to be used with flat transducers and can also be configured to be used with concave transducers, and so that an acoustic lens is not required. Electrical connections can be made with conductors that extend through an elongate hollow handle. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112099 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, CHARGER, ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM - An ultrasonic probe that can be efficiently charged in a short time, a charger and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, as well as an ultrasonic diagnostic system that uses them are provided by the present invention, which comprises a detector for detecting whether or not an ultrasonic probe having a rechargeable battery or the charger for charging this is in charging state; and a controller for stopping transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmitting and receiving circuit for executing the generation of a signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves and the generation of the diagnostic information based on the signal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves; a probe switching circuit for selecting one of a plurality of ultrasonic probes; and a controller for controlling the probe switching circuit in accordance with a detection signal from the detector. The ultrasonic diagnostic system comprises the above-mentioned ultrasonic probes, chargers and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. | 04-30-2009 |
20090118618 | CONNECTORIZED PROBE WITH SERIAL ENGAGEMENT MECHANISM - A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electrical interface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section. | 05-07-2009 |
20090118619 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC METHOD - Provided are an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method capable of obtaining an image having a preferable SN and no blur in a wide range from a shallow portion to a deep portion of the image without using a delay control for each transducer. | 05-07-2009 |
20090131797 | Ultrasound Diagnostic Device Having Transducers Facing Each Other - The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic device. The ultrasound diagnostic device comprises a pair of transducers operable to transmit/receive ultrasound signals. The transducers are arranged to face each other. The transducers may be an array transducer including a plurality of elements, which are linearly arranged. | 05-21-2009 |
20090137905 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe for locating with respect to a surface of a target object. The ultrasound probe has a face suitable for receiving the palm of a hand of a user, allowing the user to accurately move, hold and/or grip the ultrasound probe using their hand. At least a portion of the face comprises an elastically deformable material. | 05-28-2009 |
20090143682 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - A technology for the provision of an ultrasonic probe is disclosed, which is capable of preventing the position thereof from being displaced due to the slippage of a wire on a drive pulley and a swing pulley while swinging and enabling the easy attaching of the wire thereto while adjusting the origin position angle of an ultrasonic transducer unit in swing operation without using a position angle sensor. According to the technology, the ultrasonic probe is provided with an ultrasonic transducer unit | 06-04-2009 |
20090143683 | DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND APPARATUS - A diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is disclosed comprising a base board, an ultrasonic front-end analog circuit, a digital processing circuit connected with the ultrasonic front-end analog circuit, and a power module for providing electric power to the ultrasonic front-end analog circuit and the digital processing circuit. The ultrasonic front-end analog circuit is implemented with a modular design, the digital processing circuit and the power module being located at one half-region of the base board, and the ultrasonic front-end analog circuit being located at the other half-region of the base board. The ultrasonic front-end analog circuit is provided far away from the power module and the digital processing circuit such that interference from the power supply and digital circuits is prevented. | 06-04-2009 |
20090149760 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING PROBE FOR IMAGING A TEMPORARY CHANGE IN AN ENVIRONMENT - The invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging probe for imaging a medium ( | 06-11-2009 |
20090156939 | Composite Passive Materials For Ultrasound Transducers - Provided herein are composite passive layers for ultrasound transducers having acoustic properties that can be easily tailored to the needs of the transducer application using current microfabrication techniques. In an embodiment, a passive layer comprises metal posts embedded in a polymer matrix or other material. The acoustic properties of the passive layer depend on the metal/polymer volume fraction of the passive layer, which can be easily controlled using current microfabrication techniques, e.g., integrated circuit (IC) fabrication techniques. Further, the embedded metal posts provide electrical conduction through the passive layer allowing electrical connections to be made to an active element, e.g., piezoelectric element, of the transducer through the passive layer. Because the embedded metal posts conduct along one line of direction, they can be used to provide separate electrical connections to different active elements in a transducer array through the passive layer. | 06-18-2009 |
20090156940 | DUAL-LAYER TRANSDUCER FOR RECTILINEAR OR CURVILINEAR THREE-DIMENSIONAL BROADBAND ULTRASOUND - Dual-layer acoustic transducer array designs, related fabrication methods, and ultrasound imaging techniques are described. The designs include two perpendicular 1-D arrays for clinical 3-D acoustic imaging of targets near the transducer. These targets can include the breast, carotid artery, prostate, and musculoskeletal system among others. The transducer designs reduce the fabrication complexity and the channel count making 3-D rectilinear imaging more realizable. With such designs, an effective N×N 2-D array can be developed using only N transmitters and N receivers. This benefit becomes very significant when N becomes greater than 128, for example. Embodiments/aspects of the present disclosure are directed to fabricating and interconnecting 2-D arrays with a large number of elements (>5,000) for 3-D rectilinear imaging. | 06-18-2009 |
20090171216 | Connections For Ultrasound Transducers - Described herein are electrical connections to acoustic elements, e.g., piezoelectric elements. In an exemplary embodiment, a transducer comprises an acoustic element, a passive layer attached to the acoustic element, and a conductive post embedded in the passive layer to provide a direct low resistance electrical connection to the acoustic element. In one embodiment, the conductive post has an exposed side surface allowing electrical connections to be made from the side of the transducer. In another embodiment, the conductive post has an exposed bottom surface allowing electrical connections to be made from the bottom of the transducer. In another embodiment, the transducer comprises an extension substrate adjacent to the acoustic element for protecting the acoustic element from thermal stress when a connection is made to the transducer at high temperatures. In one embodiment, a circuit is integrated on the extension substrate to process signals to or from the acoustic element. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171217 | ULTRASOUND SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING BREAST CANCER - The present invention relates to an ultrasound system for diagnosing breast cancers. The ultrasound system comprises an ultrasound probe including an array transducer having an arcuate shape, the array transducer containing a plurality of elements arrayed in a longitudinal direction of the array transducer. The ultrasound probe further includes a probing surface for contacting a surface of the target object, wherein the probing surface is formed to have a concave shape at a front side of the array transducer. | 07-02-2009 |
20090177092 | Noninvasive sensor system and method for detection of internal pathologic conditions - The present invention is directed to a system for non-invasively detecting the presence or absence of a trauma in a tissue region utilizing a dual-modality wand-detector. The wand integrates an electromagnetic transceiver and an ultrasound transducer to simultaneously obtain interrogation signatures from the tissue region by minimizing impedance mismatches that occur due to reflected energy at interfaces. Thereafter, the interrogation signals are processed in a signal processing system utilizing dual modality and impedance software to obtain trauma condition data that is subsequently displayed. | 07-09-2009 |
20090182237 | Dual Frequency Band Ultrasound Transducer Arrays - An acoustic probe transmits/receives acoustic pulses with frequencies both in a high frequency (HF), and a selectable amount of lower frequency (LF1, LF2, . . . , LFn, . . . ) bands. The radiation surfaces of at least two of the multiple frequency bands have a common region. The arrays and elements can be of a general type such as annular arrays, phased or switched arrays, linear arrays with division in both azimuth and elevation direction, like a 1.5D, a 1.75D and a full 2D array, or curved arrays. The element division, array type, and array aperture sizes for the different bands can also be different. | 07-16-2009 |
20090192388 | ULTRASONIC TRANSMISSION MEMBER - An ultrasonic transmission member including one end part and the other end part and transmitting an ultrasonic wave input into the one end part to the other end part is formed by preparing a main mold having a casting cavity corresponding to a whole outer shape of the ultrasonic transmission member, melting an alloy which is a material of a metallic glass, and pouring the melted alloy into the casting cavity of the main mold to solidify the melted alloy in a liquid phase state thereof. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192389 | INNOVATIVE COMPONENTS FOR AN ULTRASONIC ARC SCANNING APPARATUS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various aspects of imaging systems, including permeable and impermeable barriers separating liquid compartments, one of which contains the object to be imaged and the other an ultrasonic transducer, a fluidic bearing between a transducer carriage and guide supporting the carriage, a linear motor for the carriage, and a location sensing device for the carriage. | 07-30-2009 |
20090204004 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - This invention includes a first electrode which is fixed on a base, a vibration film which is disposed to oppose the first electrode with an air and vacuum portion between the vibration film and the first electrode, a second electrode which is supported by the vibration film and is connected to a predetermined potential, a ferroelectric which is electrically connected to the first electrode, and a driving portion that applies, to the first electrode, a driving signal which is a monopulse voltage signal and whose polarity is reversed every time the driving signal is outputted. | 08-13-2009 |
20090209862 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEDICAL ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTICS - A method and apparatus for medical ultrasound diagnostics use time multiplexing of ultrasonic transducers of a multi-transducer array ( | 08-20-2009 |
20090209863 | METHOD AND INTERFACE FOR COOLING ELECTRONICS THAT GENERATE HEAT - A method and interface for cooling electronics that generate heat are provided. The interface includes a housing having tubing (i) therein to transfer heat from liquid flowing in the tubing and (ii) extending therefrom and configured to engage a pump. The tubing forms a closed circulation path. The interface further includes an electrical connection member configured to provide electrical connection through the housing and to the electronics. | 08-20-2009 |
20090209864 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL ARRAY ULTRASONIC PROBE - A two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe is provided with a two-dimensional ultrasonic array and a surface protection layer provided on the array. The two-dimensional ultrasonic array arranges a plurality of piezoelectric vibration elements two-dimensionally. The surface protection layer is made essentially of polybutadiene series rubber. The polybutadiene series rubber is synthesized from 100 parts by weight of polybutadiene and 1 to 5 parts by weight of glycerin. | 08-20-2009 |
20090216128 | Broadband Ultrasonic Probe - An ultrasound probe includes a reverberator having a randomly uneven shape preferably including a plurality of facets. Together with a rigid coupling window, it forms a closed cavity filled with reverberation medium such as water. One or more ultrasound transducers are placed inside the reverberator to generate a signal using time-reversed acoustics principles. Additional transducers increase the power output of the probe. An optional transducer design features a piezomaterial formed in a randomly uneven shape, preferably having length/thickness ratio of at least 2. The reverberator cavity further includes scatterers suspended inside and aimed at improving the focusing quality of the probe. Such scatterers can be of various sizes and in a number of shapes such as beads, cylinders and membranes. The probe can be advantageously used for focusing broadband ultrasonic waves in various industrial and medical applications such as those utilizing high intensity short ultrasonic pulses. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216129 | Hand-held ultrasound imaging device and techniques - An acoustic imaging arrangement is disclosed including a longitudinal axis defining an imaging path; a source transducer configured and arranged for producing a beam of acoustic energy, the source transducer comprising a piezoelectric polymer-based material, the source transducer disposed along the imaging path; and at least one sensor disposed along the imaging path, the sensor constructed and arranged to produce electrical signals in response to acoustic energy incident thereon. Related methods are also described. | 08-27-2009 |
20090247875 | ULTRASONIC GENERATOR - An ultrasonic transducer ( | 10-01-2009 |
20090259127 | Disposable High Frequency Multi-Focus Silicone Self-Contained Water Bath Offset - A multiple focal length transducer comprising a first end allowing cooperable attachment to an ultrasound bio-microscope. A second end allowing contact with a water bath. An adjustable connecting portion allowing multiple focal lengths. The adjustable connecting portion may be allowed to flex similar to an accordion. The multiple focal length transducer is preferably produced to be sterile from medical grade silicone and is disposable. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259128 | MOVEABLE ULTRASOUND ELEMENTS FOR USE IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT - In accordance with the present invention, an ultrasound device is provided for diagnosing pathologies in a tissue of interest. The ultrasound device includes a platform member and an array of at least two ultrasonic elements coupled to the platform member. Each of the at least two elements includes a body portion and a piezoelectric crystal member. The piezoelectric crystal member has a first axis and a second axis. A first mover is provided that is capable of moving the piezoelectric crystal member about a first axis of the crystal. A second mover is provided that is capable of moving the piezoelectric crystal about a second axis of the crystal. A controller is provided for causing the first mover and second mover to move the piezoelectric crystal about the respective first and second axes for enabling the ultrasound device to capture a plurality of images at different positions of rotation about the first and second axes. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259129 | Resonance Ultrasonic Transducer - The present invention provides a resonance ultrasonic transducer. The resonance ultrasonic transducer comprises an ultrasound source for transmitting ultrasound, and a reflecting unit disposed opposite to the ultrasound source. The ultrasound source and the reflecting unit Constitute a resonance cavity. The reflecting unit can also act as an ultrasound source. A specific distribution of the acoustic field may be formed in the resonance cavity by matching the transmitting acoustic field of one ultrasonic transducer with the reflecting acoustic field of the other ultrasonic transducer. This resonance ultrasonic transducer can be widely used in ultrasonic diagnosis device, ultrasonic therapy device and ultrasonic detection devices and carries out effective focusing and controlling of an ultrasonic fled. | 10-15-2009 |
20090264767 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING USING TRANSDUCER ARRAYS - An ultrasonic imaging system and method for acquiring three-dimensional (3D) image data sets are provided. The system comprises a transducer array with a given range of motion adapted to obtain a plurality of 3D image data sets of a region of interest and a processor coupled to the transducer array adapted to receive image data sets from the transducer array and to correct for spatially varying errors induced by motion of the transducer array. | 10-22-2009 |
20090270735 | ELECTRONIC ARRAY PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING - An electronic array probe for ultrasonic imaging includes an array of transmitting and/or receiving electroacoustic transducers arranged in concentric bands in which the transducers are tangent to one other in both radial and circumferential directions. In order to minimize the number of transducers required without compromising dynamic range, a transducer arrangement geometry is provided so that the number of transducers having the same focusing delay is minimal or null. | 10-29-2009 |
20090275836 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe having an organism contact portion that is shaped for use along a comparatively large curvature and can easily be used while closely contacting an organism, and that has an adequately reduced size. According to the technique of the invention, a first cylinder pulley | 11-05-2009 |
20090275837 | ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - A processing unit calculates first displacement related information concerning a first direction of an object to be measured by using data in either one of an increase period and a decrease period of a force applied to the objected to be measured, among first received data received by a first ultrasonic probe. In addition, the processing unit calculates second displacement related information concerning a second direction of the object to be measured by using data in the same period as that used to calculate the first displacement related information, among second received data received by a second ultrasonic probe. | 11-05-2009 |
20090281428 | Method and apparatus for examining a body with an ultrasound head - In a method for extracorporeal examination of a body with an ultrasound head, in which a plurality of ultrasound emitters which are placed next to one another and emit ultrasonic radiation in a common central plane of the ultrasound head, and a plurality of ultrasound receivers are arranged in a row, in order to improve the reproducibility of the orientation of the ultrasound head, it is proposed that with the use of prominent points of the body, a geometrical structure which is defined by these prominent points be determined, and the ultrasound head be positioned relative to this geometrical structure in a defined orientation in which the ultrasound examination is performed on the body. An apparatus for performing this method is also described. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281429 | HOOD FOR ULTRASOUND PROBE DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND PROBE DEVICE - An ultrasound probe device of the present invention includes an insertion section having an ultrasound probe, and a hood section which has a cylindrical shape having an opening portion at a distal end side and is disposed at the insertion section to surround the ultrasound probe, and is capable of decompressing a space surrounded by the hood section. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287085 | Device, system, and method of determining an acoustic contact between an ultrasonic transducer and a body - Device, system and method of determining an acoustic contact between an ultrasonic transducer and a body subject to ultrasonic energy generated by the transducer. For example, a method of determining an acoustic contact between an ultrasonic transducer and a body subject to ultrasonic energy generated by the transducer may include determining an acoustic contact level between the transducer and the body based on at least one value of at least one parameter related to an electrical impedance at the transducer. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287086 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe in which a balance between basic performance and suppression of heat generation is achieved by suppressing heat generation of the ultrasonic probe without degrading sensitivity and relative bandwidth of the ultrasonic probe in transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe includes at least one vibrator for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, the at least one vibrator including a piezoelectric material in which a piezoelectric strain constant d33 is equal to or less than 500 pm/V and a product of the piezoelectric strain constant d33 and a piezoelectric voltage constant g33 is equal to or more than 7000×10 | 11-19-2009 |
20090299192 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CALIBRATING THE SAME - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus | 12-03-2009 |
20090299193 | REAL TIME ULTRASOUND PROBE - An external ultrasound transducer probe assembly capable of scanning a three-dimensional volume is provided. The ultrasound transducer probe assembly contains a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed along a longitudinal axis of the probe assembly. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers is disposed on a mechanism operable to reciprocally pivot the plurality of ultrasonic transducers enabling the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to scan the entire three-dimensional volume. A helically disposed electrical interconnection member may be disposed about a pivot axis of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and may electrically interconnect the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound transducer probe assembly may be fluid filled and contain bubble position control and fluid expansion compensation features. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299194 | Minor axis motion type ultrasonic probe - The invention relates to a minor axis motion type ultrasonic probe with high sensitivity that suppresses propagation loss. The minor axis motion type ultrasonic probe of the invention comprises: a piezoelectric element group in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged in a line in a major axis direction of the piezoelectric element group; an acoustic lens that is provided on an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface side of the piezoelectric element group and that has a predetermined curvature in a minor axis direction of the piezoelectric element group; and a sealed container that houses the piezoelectric element group with the acoustic lens provided thereon and that is filled with a liquid serving as an ultrasonic wave medium, and the piezoelectric element group is moved in the minor axis direction and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received to and from a living body, wherein the configuration is such that the acoustic lens is a concave lens formed from a material that has less propagation loss than a silicone resin and that has a greater acoustic velocity than a living body, and a relationship between acoustic velocity c | 12-03-2009 |
20090306515 | Automated Pressing Device and Ultrasonic Diagnosis Apparatus Using the Device - An automated pressing device ( | 12-10-2009 |
20090306516 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that can acquire 3-D ultrasound image data of a wide viewing scope including both a diagnosis portion and peripheral portions of the diagnosis portion by swinging a transducer unit in an orthogonal direction to an array of a plurality transducers in the transducer unit without sacrificing the operability of the ultrasound probe. | 12-10-2009 |
20090312642 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which one of an imaging method with advantageous time resolution and an imaging method with advantageous spatial resolution can be selectively used according to an imaging object. The apparatus includes a transmission control unit for controlling a drive signal generating unit to scan the object while shifting a center position of a group of transducers, which simultaneously transmit ultrasonic waves, by a distance not larger than an interval of plural transducers in a first imaging mode and shifting a center position of a group of transducers, which simultaneously transmit ultrasonic waves, by a distance not less than twice the interval in a second imaging mode, and an image generating unit for generating an image signal at a first frame rate in the first imaging mode and a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate in the second imaging mode. | 12-17-2009 |
20090312643 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe having a combination of plural types of functions and thereby easy to carry. The ultrasonic probe includes: a housing part for housing a first group of ultrasonic transducers and a second group of ultrasonic transducers in a first edge part and a second edge part having different curvatures from each other, respectively, the first and second groups of ultrasonic transducers transmitting ultrasonic waves according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output reception signals; and a grip part rotatable relative to the housing part. | 12-17-2009 |
20090318812 | ULTRASOUND WAVEGUIDE - In a medical therapy or diagnostic system, magnetic resonance (MR) techniques are used in order to determine the position of the focal point of an ultrasound wave with respect to a patient's body. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasound waveguide which could be used within a magnetic resonance environment. To better address these concerns, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide an ultrasound waveguide comprising an electrically conducting section and an electrically isolating section. A reduction of the length of an electrically isolating section possibly decreases the electromagnetic coupling of the high frequency electromagnetic field in the MR environment to the electrically conducting section. | 12-24-2009 |
20090318813 | Applicators that house and support ultrasound transducers for transcutaneou delivery of ultrasound energy - An applicator for delivering ultrasound energy that comprises an ultrasound transducer adapted and configured to be electrically coupled to an ultrasound generator. A housing carries the ultrasound transducer for use. An element supports the transducer within the housing. The element includes an elastic material having a hardness of about 30 Shore A to about 100 Shore A. | 12-24-2009 |
20090326380 | Portable Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus - Disclosed herein is a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a body part, a handle coupled to the body part and having a curved shape, and a display unit coupled to the handle. The handle has a curved shape to improve close contact feelings with an operator's palm, so that an operator does not experience palm fatigue even after extended use. | 12-31-2009 |
20100004543 | ULTRASOUND PROBE COVER AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE - An ultrasound probe cover including a flexible polymer tube member having an open first end and a second end closed by a top member of preferably same material. The originally separate tube and top members are joined to each other adhesively, such as by welding or by use of an adhesive. Also disclosed is a corresponding process of manufacture. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010354 | IMPLANTABLE ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT ARRANGEMENT - An implantable measurement arrangement for intracorporeal acoustic measurement of geometric parameters and motion parameters in and on organs and/or tissues of a patient includes an implantable device, in particular an electromedical device; an implantable sonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, the transducer being in signal connection with the implantable device; and an implantable reflector in communication with the implantable device and situated at a distance from the sonic transducer for reflecting the ultrasonic waves back in the direction of the sonic transducer. The electromedical device can analyze the ultrasonic waves picked up and reflected back by the sonic transducer. | 01-14-2010 |
20100016726 | Handheld Imaging Device And Method For Manufacture Thereof - In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging device is configured to facilitate sub-dermal monitoring. The ultrasound imaging device comprises a handheld housing, a processor within the handheld housing, a beamformer coupled to the processor, a transducer assembly coupled to the handheld housing and to at least one of the beamformer and the processor, a scan converter coupled to the transducer assembly, a display coupled to the handheld housing and coupled to at least one of the scan converter and the processor, a switch mechanism coupled to the processor, a rechargeable power source coupled to the handheld housing, a communications port coupled to the processor, a central pointer aligned with a center of the display, and a needle guide coupled to the handheld housing proximate to the transducer assembly. Other examples and embodiments are described herein. | 01-21-2010 |
20100016727 | HIGH POWER ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - Disclosed is a high power ultrasound transducer consisting of piezoelectric ceramic elements, an acoustic impedance matching plate, and an assembly of electric contacts arranged to provide voltage to each of said piezoelectric elements. One or more resilient electrically conductive elements enable electric contact between the piezoelectric elements, the impedance matching plate, and the assembly of electric contacts. Disclosed are also an apparatus and method of using the transducer. | 01-21-2010 |
20100016728 | Magnetostrictive actuator of a medical ultrasound transducer assembly, and a medical ultrasound handpiece and a medical ultrasound system having such actuator - Apparatus includes a magnetostrictive actuator of a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. The actuator comprises a magnetostrictive alloy chosen from a list. A medical ultrasound handpiece includes an ultrasound transducer assembly adapted to attachingly receive an end effector. The transducer assembly includes a magnetostrictive actuator having a magnetostrictive alloy, and includes a first coil surrounding the actuator and adapted to excite the actuator to substantially a desired medical resonant frequency and substantially a desired medical amplitude. A medical ultrasound system includes a handpiece housing, a first medical ultrasound transducer assembly, and a first medical end effector attachable to the first transducer assembly. The first transducer assembly includes a magnetostrictive first actuator having a first magnetostrictive alloy. At least a portion of the first transducer assembly is attachingly insertable in the handpiece housing without the use of tools, without damaging the handpiece housing, and without damaging the first transducer assembly. | 01-21-2010 |
20100022888 | Transducer Holder - A transducer holder for holding a transducer in signal-receiving contact with a patient's body, the holder comprising: a base adherently attachable to the patient's skin; and a retainer attached or attachable to the base; wherein, in use, the retainer holds the transducer in signal-receiving contact with the patient's body and retains the transducer in the holder. | 01-28-2010 |
20100022889 | ULTRASOUND TREATMENT HEAD FOR AN APPARATUS FOR TREATING A PATIENT WITH ULTRASOUND - An ultrasound treatment head for an apparatus for treating a patient with ultrasound comprises at least one active element for converting an electric signal into ultrasound and a vacuum cup having an upper part and a lower part. The active element is mounted in the upper part and the vacuum cup provides a vacuum chamber with a holding space for a gel pad. The upper part is adapted to act as a spring suspension for the active element to lower the active element into the lower part. The active element is provided with a positioning ring protruding with respect to the active element. This positioning ring determines the location of the gel pad within the holding space. | 01-28-2010 |
20100022890 | ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DEVICE - A technique for realizing an ultrasonographic device that can obtain respective rendering images for a plurality of regions of a 3D space is disclosed. According to the technique, in such a way that a transmission beam former | 01-28-2010 |
20100030081 | ULTRASONOGRAPH - Multidimensional beamformer data including time, which is provided by numerical data in practical use, is efficiently stored in storage means and is computed. The computation means for the beamformer utilizes beamformer data computing means which performs the computation of delays and weighting by using a linear combination function of a 2nd-degree term of time and n number of any parameters P | 02-04-2010 |
20100030082 | Ultrasound Apparatus - There is disclosed an ultrasound apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer that operates in a target plane, and a light source that emits a broad, planar light beam that is co-planar with said target plane and directed relative to said ultrasound transducer to illuminate at least a region where an instrument is to be aligned with said target plane. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036256 | OFFSET ULTRASONIC HAND PIECE - An ultrasonic hand piece has a horn, piezoelectric crystals, and a cutting tip. The piezoelectric crystals and cutting tip are coupled to the horn. A centerline of the piezoelectric crystals is offset from a center line of the cutting tip such that oscillatory movement is produced in the cutting tip when the piezoelectric crystals are excited. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036257 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Provided is an ultrasonic probe including: a cMUT chip having a plurality of vibration elements whose electromechanical coupling coefficient or sensitivity is changed according to a bias voltage and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; an acoustic lens arranged above the cMUT chip: and a backing layer arranged below the cMUT chip. | 02-11-2010 |
20100041996 | Ultrasound Probe - An ultrasound probe for cavity scanning of a body, comprising: an elongated rod-like member ( | 02-18-2010 |
20100041997 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a pulsar including an output line coupled to a piezoelectric transducer and a plurality of first push-pull circuits whose output units are coupled to the output line, and a power source unit which supplies a plurality of power source voltages with different levels to the first push-pull circuits. At least one of the first push-pull circuits includes first rectification elements which prevent reverse current from flowing into first complementary transistors configuring the first push-pull circuit. The pulsar includes a second push-pull circuit whose output unit is coupled to the output line, the same power source voltage as in the first push-pull circuit with the first rectification elements is applied to the second push-pull circuit, and current in the direction opposite to that in the first push-pull circuit flows in the second push-pull circuit by turning on second complementary transistors configuring the second push-pull circuit. | 02-18-2010 |
20100049053 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICE - The present invention provides an ultrasonic imaging device which narrows the width of annular areas to be established, without increasing the number of channels, thereby enabling enhancement of a focused sound pressure. The controller establishes the annular areas | 02-25-2010 |
20100056925 | Ultrasonic Therapeutic Device Capable of Multipoint Transmitting - An ultrasonic therapeutic device capable of multipoint transmitting includes a substrate ( | 03-04-2010 |
20100063396 | COMPRESSIVE SURFACES FOR ULTRASONIC SCANNING - An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample are described, the apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer and a taut fabric sheet compressing the tissue sample, the ultrasound transducer contacting the taut fabric sheet and ultrasonically scanning the tissue sample therethrough. Preferably, the taut fabric sheet is substantially porous with respect to an acoustic couplant. In another embodiment, an ultrasound transducer and a vented membrane are provided, the vented membrane having a first surface contacting the tissue surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the ultrasound transducer contacting the second surface and being translated across the second surface for ultrasonically scanning the tissue volume. An acoustic couplant is applied to one of the tissue surface, the first surface, and the second surface, the vented membrane being provided with a void pattern such that it is substantially porous with respect to the acoustic coupling agent. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063397 | MULTI-DIMENSIONAL TRANSDUCER ARRAY AND BEAMFORMING FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING - The electrodes for a CMUT are split to provide separate transmit and receive bias and alternating current electrodes. The transmit electrodes of different elements are interconnected, such as rows sharing bias and columns sharing transmit alternating signals. The bias is used to select an aperture in elevation, and only a sufficient number of transmit beamformer channels to use the selected aperture are needed. On receive, the full multi-dimensional array may be used with integrated beamformer electronics. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063398 | ULTRASOUND PROBE FOR GUIDANCE PROCEDURES - An ultrasound probe for guidance procedures is provided. The ultrasound probe includes a linear transducer array and a micro-motor configured to mechanically move the linear transducer array to provide ultrasound guidance of procedures. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063399 | FRONT END CIRCUITRY FOR IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE - Pulse-echo imaging systems and methods are provided, including a transmit code sequencer and a pulse generation circuit, The transmit code sequencer is configured to input a transmit code sequence to the pulse generation circuit. A transducer is configured to receive electrical signals provided as pulses using coded excitation according to the transmit code sequence, and to transduce the electrical signals to pulses of energy other than electrical signals. The transducer is further configured to receive echoes of the pulses of energy other than electrical signals and convert the echoes to received electrical signals generate using coded excitation. A receive circuit is configured to receive the received electrical signals generate using coded excitation, perform analog sampling of the received electrical signals generate using coded excitation, and provide a weighted, summed digital signal by processing the analog samples. At least one example of a pulse imaging system described is configured for ultrasonic pulse-echoes. At least one example of a pulse imaging system described is a medical diagnostic imaging system. | 03-11-2010 |
20100076314 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING VIRTUAL FORCE FIELD - The present invention describes systems and methods for creating a virtual force field. A field source may be scanned over a region of interest on an object using a scanning technique such as vector scanning or raster scanning. The techniques disclosed herein describe applying the force field over volumetric (spatial) regions that can extend beyond the dimensions of the focal region of the force-field source (e.g., acoustic, electromagnetic, or optical source). The present invention may equally apply to multiple processes linked by cause and effect that exhibit unequal time dependence. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076315 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDS-FREE ULTRASOUND - A skin-mounted device ( | 03-25-2010 |
20100076316 | Ultrasonic probe - The ultrasonic probe comprises a group of piezoelectric elements including piezoelectric elements arrayed in a long-axis direction thereof; and a rotation mechanism that oscillates the piezoelectric elements to the left and right in a short-axis direction thereof about a center of the long-axis direction. The rotation mechanism has a first bevel gear of a circular-arc shape, a second bevel gear meshing with the first bevel gear and rotating in a horizontal direction, and a drive motor. An optical rotating plate, with the boundary region as a reference, is rotated by less than a predetermined angle, and the boundary region is detected by transmission or shielding of light by the light shielding portion and the light transmission portion, and thereby, based on the detected boundary region, a reference position with respect to an object to be detected of the piezoelectric element group is set. | 03-25-2010 |
20100113934 | LOW POWER CONTINUOUS WAVE ULTRASOUND TRANSMITTER - A system and method for providing a continuous wave (“CW”) ultrasonic drive signal and a B-mode ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasonic transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasonic transmitter includes a first shunt transistor and a second shunt transistor. The first shunt transistor shunts positive transmitter output voltage to ground. The second shunt transistor shunts negative transmitter output voltage to ground. The shunt transistors include control inputs that, when modulated, cause the shunt transistors to produce a CW ultrasonic drive signal on a transmitter output. The ultrasonic transmitter also includes a first CW control transistor coupled to the first shunt transistor, and a second CW control transistor coupled to the second shunt transistor. The first and second CW control transistors respectively provide negative and positive CW drive voltage to the first and second shunt transistors. | 05-06-2010 |
20100113935 | ULTRASOUND TRANSMITTER - A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first driver and a second driver. Each of the drivers includes an N-type device and a P-type device. The N-type device and the P-type device of each driver are serially coupled. Activation of the first driver drives an ultrasound transmitter output to a first voltage. Activation of the second driver drives the ultrasound transmitter output to a second voltage. The driver activations produce an ultrasonic drive signal at the ultrasound transmitter output. | 05-06-2010 |
20100113936 | ULTRASOUND TRANSMITTER - A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first driver and a bias network. The first driver includes a first plurality of drive transistors that when activated drive an ultrasound transmitter output to a first voltage. The first bias network is coupled to the first plurality of drive transistors, and, at least in part, controls distribution, across the drive transistors, of voltage at the ultrasound transmitter output. Control inputs of the first driver are decoupled from the ultrasound transmitter output. | 05-06-2010 |
20100121194 | Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - The number of signal lines connecting an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body is reduced or wireless communication is realized by reducing a volume of data of reception signals outputted from plural ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output reception signals; signal processing units for performing orthogonal detection processing or orthogonal sampling processing on the reception signals to generate two signals representing a complex baseband signal; sampling units for sampling the two signals to generate parallel sample data; a serializing unit for converting the parallel sample data into serial sample data; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the serial sample data. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121195 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - Provided is a medical instrument that may include a probe connector on a top surface of an extended board in order to provide a diagnostic probe capable of performing ultrasonic diagnosis in a body. The extended board is externally extended from a main board that is included in the body. By forming the probe connector on the top surface of the extended board, it is possible to connect the diagnostic probe and the body without using a separate device. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify a configuration of mounting the diagnostic probe to the body and to reduce a time of mounting the diagnostic probe to the body. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121196 | Ultrasonic Signal Processor for a Hand Held Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument - A hand held ultrasonic instrument is provided in a portable unit which performs both B mode and Doppler imaging. The instrument includes a transducer array mounted in a hand-held enclosure, with an integrated circuit transceiver connected to the elements of the array for the reception of echo signals. A digital signal processing circuit performs both B mode and Doppler signal processing such as filtering, detection and Doppler estimation, as well as advanced functions such as assembly of multiple zone focused scanlines, synthetic aperture formation, depth dependent filtering, speckle reduction, flash suppression, and frame averaging. | 05-13-2010 |
20100125207 | Ultrasonic Probe Capable Of Probing Curved Surface - An ultrasonic probe capable of probing a curved surface is disclosed in one embodiment in accordance with the disclosure as including a housing, a transducer, a guide part and a drive part. The transducer is disposed in the housing. The transducer is movable alongside the curved surface of the examined part. The guide part is configured to guide the transducer along the curved surface of the examined part. The drive part is configured to move the transducer along the curved surface of the examined part. According to the disclosure, the ultrasonic probe can probe or scan a curved examined part of a subject such as a neck, a breast, etc. | 05-20-2010 |
20100125208 | Probe For Ultrasound System And Method Of Manufacturing The Same - A probe for an ultrasound system, and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The probe includes a backing layer, a piezoelectric member installed to the backing layer, and a unidirectional conduction part installed to at least one of the backing layer and the piezoelectric member. The probe is manufactured by connecting the piezoelectric member to the PCB via a unidirectional conduction part, instead of soldering which requires difficult and laborious operations, thereby facilitating manufacture of the probe while reducing an operation time in manufacture of the probe. | 05-20-2010 |
20100125209 | Probe For Ultrasound System And Method Of Manufacturing The Same - A probe for an ultrasound system, and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The probe includes a backing layer, an electrode part formed on the backing layer, and a piezoelectric member installed to the electrode part. The probe is manufactured by connecting the piezoelectric member to the PCB via a unidirectional conduction part, instead of soldering which requires difficult and laborious operations, thereby allowing easy connection therebetween while reducing an operation time for connection. | 05-20-2010 |
20100130867 | ULTRASOUND FREQUENCY RESONANT DIPOLE FOR MEDICAL USE - An ultrasound resonant dipole or sonotrode ( | 05-27-2010 |
20100137718 | BIDIMENSIONAL ULTRASONIC ARRAY FOR VOLUMETRIC IMAGING - Ultrasound transducer comprising an array of electro-acoustic micro-cells, a first and a second group of transducer elements arranged substantially along two directions (x, y), each element being defined by a group of micro-cells of the array, at least part of the micro-cells of each group being electrically interconnected by a first connection pattern having shape with main orientation along one of the two directions (x, y), characterized in that each group of micro-cells defining each element comprises micro-cells interconnected by further connection pattern or patterns having shape with main orientation along the other of the two directions (y, x). | 06-03-2010 |
20100137719 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - The invention aims to give uniform and stable characteristics to a cMUT-cell array and to improve acoustic characteristics. To this end, a signal blocking section is additionally provided for cells | 06-03-2010 |
20100137720 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE - With an ultrasound pulser suitable for application to a medical ultrasound system, and so forth, a high voltage power supply of a transducer drive circuitry, on both high potential and low potential sides, is rendered variable in a range of 0 V on the order of ±200 V, thereby implementing a semiconductor integrated circuit wherein a plurality of the ultrasound pulsers corresponding to a plurality of channels, respectively, are integrally formed on a small area. The ultrasound pulser has a configuration wherein, in a MOSFET gate drive circuitry, an input voltage pulse is converted into a current pulse, and the current pulse is converted again into a voltage pulse on the basis of a high potential side voltage +HV, and a low potential side voltage −HV, applied to a transducer drive circuitry, whereupon voltage level shift in the input voltage pulse is attained, and a voltage pulse swing of an output buffer of the MOSFET gate drive circuitry receiving a shifted voltage pulse is generated by the MOSFET gate drive circuitry similarly on the basis of the high potential side voltage +HV, and the low potential side voltage −HV, applied to the transducer drive circuitry. The MOSFET gate drive circuitry is DC-coupled with the transducer drive circuitry. | 06-03-2010 |
20100152587 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A TWO-DIMENSIONAL TRANSDUCER ARRAY - According to embodiments of the present technique, a system and a method for addressing transducers in a two-dimensional transducer array is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present technique, the transducers are arranged in rows and columns, and the columns are coupled to a shared transmit and receive circuitry while the rows are coupled to a row selection circuitry. In another embodiment, each transducer is coupled to a separate, dedicated transmit circuitry and the columns are coupled to a shared receive circuitry. | 06-17-2010 |
20100152588 | Ultrasonograph - The present invention provides an ultrasonograph excellent in operability and mobility by: compactly containing an operation panel on an upper face of a housing in the operation of a standing posture or a moving operation; and positioning the operation panel in front in the operation of a sitting posture. | 06-17-2010 |
20100152589 | PROBE CABLE ACCOMMODATION APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM - A probe cable accommodation apparatus includes a receptacle housing accommodating a plurality of probe cables. Each of the probe cables is connected at one end thereof to an ultrasound diagnostic system and has at an opposite end thereof an ultrasound probe. The interior of the receptacle housing is partitioned by a partition plate to form a plurality of receptacle chambers. The probe cables are accommodated in the receptacle chambers respectively. | 06-17-2010 |
20100160785 | Wireless Ultrasound Probe Cable - A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, an acquisition circuit, a transceiver, a power circuit, and a rechargeable battery. The wireless probe also has a cable connector accessible from the exterior of the probe, for connection of a cable providing battery charging potential and/or imaging signal conductors for wire communication with a host system. An example is given of a magnetically attachable cable which requires no openings or indentations that could trap gel and other contaminants. Preferably the remote end of the cable uses a standardized connector, enabling the wireless probe to be recharged from standard devices like computers. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160786 | Wireless Ultrasound Probe User Interface - A wireless ultrasound probe has a probe case enclosing a transducer array, a probe controller, and a transceiver which wirelessly receives control signals from and transmits image signals to a host system. Mounted on the probe case is a liquid-tight user interface including basic probe user controls such as directional controls, an image freeze control, and an image save control. The user interface may be fabricated as a touchpanel LCD or OLED display. The probe may alternatively be controlled by a separate user interface which wirelessly transmits control signals to the host system or the probe. Either user interface may also include a display such as battery charge and signal strength indicators. | 06-24-2010 |
20100168581 | WIDE BANDWIDTH MATRIX TRANSDUCER WITH POLYETHYLENE THIRD MATCHING LAYER - An ultrasound transducer comprises a piezoelectric element ( | 07-01-2010 |
20100168582 | HIGH FREQUENCY TRANSDUCERS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE TRANSDUCERS - A method of making an ultrasound transducer includes providing a piezoelectric crystal of PIN-PMN-PT (lead indium niobate-lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate) and etching kerfs into the piezoelectric crystal using a laser. In at least some embodiments, each kerf has a width of no more than 4 μm. The kerfs are filled with a non-piezoelectric material to form an array of piezoelectric elements. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174195 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - An ultrasound imaging system ( | 07-08-2010 |
20100179430 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic probe ( | 07-15-2010 |
20100185096 | Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Power consumption is suppressed when received power is insufficient for wireless power feed to an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a signal processing unit for performing signal processing on reception signals outputted from the plural ultrasonic transducers to generate a transfer signal; an energy conversion unit for converting energy wirelessly fed from a power feeding device into electric energy; a power receiving status detecting unit for detecting an amount of the energy wirelessly fed from the power feeding device, and determining whether or not the ultrasonic probe is within a region where the energy wirelessly fed from the power feeding device can be received; and a transmitting unit for transmitting a determination result of the power receiving status detecting unit to the power feeding device. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185097 | ACOUSTIC OFFSET FOR TRANDUCER - The invention is related to a standoff comprising an acoustic coupling medium for use with an ultrasound transducer, comprising a first portion of tubular shape having a constant cross sectional area with an axis defining the direction of sound propagation and being adapted to be interfaced to the transducer, and a second portion of tapered shape being coaxial to the first portion. The second portion has a proximal end connected to the first, wherein the cross sectional area at a distal end of the second portion is smaller than the cross sectional area at the proximal end. The invention is further related to an envelope which is adapted to enclose the first and/or second portion of the standoff. The invention provides an improved acoustic standoff which is adapted for small and/or superficial structures. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185098 | POWER CONTROL OF TRANSMIT PULSES IN AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - An embodiment for controlling a power of transmit pulses in an ultrasound system is disclosed. An ultrasound probe contains a plurality of transducer elements for reciprocal conversion between electrical signals and ultrasound signals. A transmitter includes a plurality of pulse generators. Each of the pulse generators is connected to the respective transducer element through a channel to generate a transmit (Tx) pulse at a transmit (Tx) frequency in synchronization with a Tx control clock. Each of the pulse generators has a plurality of pulsers operating at different voltages in response to pulser control signals. | 07-22-2010 |
20100191120 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM BASED ON CONTACT WITH AN ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe comprises a probe housing that has an inner surface and an outer surface. An array of transducer elements are within the probe housing. At least one sensor is formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the probe housing. The at least one sensor is configured to detect at least one parameter associated with an object in contact with the outer surface proximate the at least one sensor. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191121 | Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic probe - When a transfer signal according to ultrasonic echoes is wirelessly transmitted from an ultrasonic probe to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, the main body and the probe are reliably connected without false recognition. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, and the ultrasonic probe includes a probe ID transport unit having a transport distance shorter than that of a first wireless communication unit for transporting a probe ID for identification of itself in contact or noncontact to an outside, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body includes a probe ID acquiring unit for acquiring the probe ID transported from the probe ID transport unit, and a second wireless communication unit receives the transfer signal from the ultrasonic probe having the probe ID acquired by the probe ID acquiring unit. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191122 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body, a support member provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body to support the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body on an installation surface, a movable body provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body in a movable state by a moving member while protruding from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body in a direction away from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body, and a tipping-preventing support member provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body and having a support portion able to support the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body on the installation surface on the protruding side of the movable body with respect to the support member. | 07-29-2010 |
20100198076 | Ultrasonic Aperture Scanning System and Method - An ultrasonic aperture scanning system includes a transducer insert having an insert plug, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the transducer insert and an indicator unit having at least one indicator interfacing with the ultrasonic transducer. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198077 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe that enables the sensibility irregularity between arrays to be reduced is disclosed. This piezoelectric element contains: a piezoelectric element | 08-05-2010 |
20100204582 | Multidimensional, multilayer ultrasound transducer probe for medical ultrasound imaging - By using larger segments for transmit than receive in ultrasound imaging, the number of transmit beamformer channels relative to receive beamformer channels is reduced. The space and power requirements of the transmit beamformer channels are reduced, assisting in placement within a transducer probe. The larger segments for transmit are obtained by interconnecting electrodes used for transmit on different elements. Each element includes two or more layers of transducer material and a corresponding three or more electrodes. One of the electrodes is a transmit electrode. The transmit electrodes of two or more elements are connected together, such as sharing a via connection to a transmit beamformer channel. Receive electrodes for each element are isolated from each other and connect to receive beamformer channels. The multi-layer structure of the elements provides for transmit grouping of elements and separate reception without grouping or with different grouping. | 08-12-2010 |
20100204583 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND FABRICATING METHOD THEREOF - An ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The ultrasonic probe includes a rear block, a flexible printed circuit board having wiring patterns formed thereon, a piezoelectric wafer, a ground electrode plate, an acoustic matching layer, an acoustic lens, and a plurality of slots. Holes are formed in at least one of the rear block, the piezoelectric wafer and the acoustic matching layer and wiring patterns are formed in the form of a matrix array, and thus vibration property and focusing can be improved to obtain clear images. | 08-12-2010 |
20100210949 | ULTRASONIC TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER DEVICE, ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - The ultrasonic transmitter/receiver device comprises a transmission section which transmits ultrasonic waves generated by a piezoelectric element when a transmission signal is inputted, a reception section which is superposed directly or indirectly on the transmission section and outputs a reception signal generated by a piezoelectric element when ultrasonic waves are received, a pair of a transmission signal wire and a transmission grounding wire for supplying the transmission signal to the transmission section, and a pair of a reception signal wire and a reception grounding wire for taking the reception signal from the reception section. The transmission grounding wire and the reception grounding wire are used in common as a common grounding wire. The common grounding wire and the transmission signal wire, and further the common grounding wire and the reception signal wire are disposed on different side surfaces of the transmission section and the reception section superposed with each other. | 08-19-2010 |
20100210950 | OPTO-ELECTRICAL ULTRASOUND SENSOR AND SYSTEM - An opto-electrical ultrasound sensor, preferably for the use in medical diagnostics, comprising at least one light source ( | 08-19-2010 |
20100217128 | MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE USER INTERFACE - A user interface for a hand held medical diagnostic scanner system, including a display screen and a control member adapted to sense first user control movements in at least one direction and to communicate this movement to software adapted to translate this movement into highlighting of an option indicator, or selection of an option indicator, from a plurality of option indicators displayed on the display screen, the control member being further adapted to sense a second different user control movement and to communicate this movement to software adapted to translate this movement to cause the activation of an option associated with a highlighted option indicator. | 08-26-2010 |
20100222682 | Ultrasonic Diagnosis Device - Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic device including a probe. When an ultrasonic diagnosis is performed, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may limit an elastic movement of an inspection portion of a subject occurring due to a contact pressure of the probe by disposing a movement limiting instrument on the inspection portion of the subject. | 09-02-2010 |
20100222683 | ULTRASOUND PROBE, PARTICULARLY FOR DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING - An ultrasound probe particularly for diagnostic purposes includes a first array of ultrasound transducers that generate ultrasound waves by electric excitation and transforming ultrasound waves impinging on them into electric signals. Each transducer is provided with contact electrodes which are connected respectively to a ground potential and to electric signals feeding lines. The first array of transducers includes emitting transducers and is intended only for generating and transmitting ultrasound waves, while a second array of transducers is provided over the first array of emitting transducer and includes receiving transducers for generating the electric receipt signals. The second array of transducers is formed of a material having piezoelectric behavior. | 09-02-2010 |
20100234733 | Sterile Ultrasound Probe Cover and Method of Releasing Coupling Agent from a Sealed Compartment - A sterile cover tube for ultrasound probe and electrical cable has a telescoping tube having a closed end and open end. The telescoping tube is extendable to cover the ultrasound probe and electrical cable. A sealed pouch containing coupling agent is disposed adjacent to the closed end of the telescoping tube. The sealed pouch has a breakable seam or membrane. The sealed pouch can be placed over the probe head prior to placing the cover tube over the probe and electrical cable. The sealed pouch is ruptured by pressure to release the coupling agent over the ultrasound probe after the telescoping tube has been extended over the ultrasound probe and electrical cable. The coupling agent covers the probe head with a thickness of 0.2-6.0 millimeters after the sealed pouch is ruptured to provide an airless medium for an accurate image of the body region of interest. | 09-16-2010 |
20100234734 | Probe For Ultrasonic Diagnosis Apparatus - Provided is a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. When an ultrasonic diagnosis is performed, a bubble removal member may collect bubbles within a liquid medium filled in the probe, and may discharge the collected bubbles to a region where a transfer of the ultrasonic waves is unobstructed. Specifically, since the bubbles within the liquid medium do not obstruct the transfer of the ultrasonic waves, it is possible to enhance a probe performance. Also, it is possible to effectively remove the bubbles existing between a cover and a transducer of the probe. | 09-16-2010 |
20100234735 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND AN ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - A tube has a hollow portion and at its tip end, a recess with an open window. A rotating member is held in the recess and is rotated about a central axis. A driving cable transmits a rotating force to the rotating member (or a feeding cable supplies an electric power to a drive part for rotating the rotating member). A piezoelectric vibrator is supported by the rotating member so as to swing its ultrasonic-wave transmitting/receiving surface about a swing axis that is orthogonal to the central axis. A permanent magnet is provided on one of the rotating member and the piezoelectric vibrator. An electromagnet is provided on the other of the rotating member and the piezoelectric vibrator so as to be opposed to the permanent magnet. And a power supply cable supplies, to the electromagnet, a current for swinging the piezoelectric vibrator. | 09-16-2010 |
20100241002 | 2D Ultrasound Transducer for Radial Application and Method - The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for obtaining a 3D image in radial applications, typically endorectal imaging. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241003 | Probe For Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus And Method Of Manufacturing The Same - A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a backing layer including backing members, a first connector bonded between the backing members and including electrodes spaced from each other in an arrangement direction, and a piezoelectric member electrically connected to the electrodes. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed. The piezoelectric member is connected to the first connector or to first and second connectors via an electrode layer instead of using a complicated and laborious soldering operation, thereby enabling easy connection between the piezoelectric member and the connector while preventing deterioration in performance caused by defective connection therebetween and deterioration in performance of the piezoelectric member caused by heat during manufacturing operation. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241004 | Probe For Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus And Method Of Manufacturing The Same - A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes including backing members, a first connector bonded between the backing members and including electrodes spaced from each other in an arrangement direction, a ground connector bonded between the backing members to be spaced from the first connector, and a piezoelectric member electrically connected to the electrodes and the ground connector. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed. The piezoelectric member is joined to the first connector and the ground connector or to first and second connectors and the ground connector via first and second electrode layers instead of using a complicated and laborious soldering operation, thereby enabling easy connection between the piezoelectric member and the connectors while preventing deterioration in performance caused by defective connection therebetween and deterioration in performance of the piezoelectric member caused by heat during manufacture. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241005 | OFFICE-BASED SYSTEM FOR TREATING UTERINE FIBROIDS OR OTHER TISSUES WITH HIFU - A method for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality to ablate a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In one embodiment, the pattern of elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ due to effects other than direct HIFU damage (including some combination of ischemia, thermal conduction, inflammation, apoptosis, etc.). The necrosed tissue remains in the body and is subsequently resorbed and/or healed via normal body mechanisms. | 09-23-2010 |
20100249598 | ULTRASOUND PROBE WITH REPLACEABLE HEAD PORTION - An ultrasound probe includes a transducer comprising an array of transducer elements removably disposed in a head portion. At least one or more stages of electronic circuit units is removably coupled to the transducer and configured to excite the transducer. A handle portion is detachably coupled to the head portion. The head portion and the handle portion are disposed enclosing the at least one or more stages of electronic circuit units. The ultrasound probe is used for one dimensional applications, two dimensional applications, and volumetric applications. | 09-30-2010 |
20100249599 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING AN IMAGING CORE OF AN INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter, an imaging core, and at least one transducer conductor. The imaging core is insertable into the catheter and extendable from a distal end of the catheter. The imaging core includes a rotatable magnet, a tilted reflective surface, and at least one fixed transducer all disposed in a body. The rotatable magnet is configured and arranged to rotate by a magnetic field generated external to the catheter. The tilted reflective surface rotates with the magnet. The at least one transducer is configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals. The at least one transducer conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one transducer and is configured and arranged to extend into the catheter when the imaging core is extended from the catheter. | 09-30-2010 |
20100249600 | Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic probe system - An ultrasonic probe that can be used in various stiles depending on cases. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to drive signals, and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output reception signals; a signal processing unit for performing signal processing on the reception signals outputted from the plural ultrasonic transducers to generate a transfer signal; and a communication unit adapted to be connectable to any one of plural functional modules, for transmitting the transfer signal generated by the signal processing unit to the connected functional module. | 09-30-2010 |
20100262010 | LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PROBE CONNECTOR AND PORTABLE ULTRASOUND DEVICE HAVING THE SAME - A locking mechanism for probe connector that is connected to a shaft of the probe connector, includes a door and a drive assembly for releasing or locking the probe connector by opening and closing of the door. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262011 | Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is disclosed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a housing exposing one side of a diagnosis target while supporting the diagnosis target so as to maintain a shape of the diagnosis target, an oblique part obliquely formed on the housing to support the diagnosis target, and a probe unit disposed inside the housing to examine the diagnosis target. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus ensures efficient diagnosis of the overall diagnosis target without excessive compression of the diagnosis target causing examinee discomfort, and can support the diagnosis target so as to maintain the shape of the diagnosis target, thereby ensuring the provision of a constant quality of ultrasonic images upon repetitious diagnosis of the diagnosis target while improving reproducibility of diagnosis results. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262012 | METHOD FOR A MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND SYSTEM TO SAVE POWER AND THE MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - To save power used by a medical diagnostic ultrasound system, a detection device is disposed on the probe side of the medical diagnostic ultrasound system to detect whether the probe is being used, and to generate a corresponding control signal according to the detected signal. A transmitting and receiving circuit disposed on the probe side transmits the signal to a transmitting and receiving circuit disposed on the host side to control a working mode of an ultrasound transmitting and receiving circuit within the host. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262013 | Universal Multiple Aperture Medical Ultrasound Probe - A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate physical apertures. Construction of probes can vary by medical application. That is, a general radiology probe can contain multiple transducers that maintain separate physical points of contact with the patient's skin, allowing multiple physical apertures. A cardiac probe may contain only two transmitters and receivers where the probe fits simultaneously between two or more intracostal spaces. An intracavity version of the probe can space transmit and receive transducers along the length of the wand, while an intravenous version can allow transducers to be located on the distal length the catheter and separated by mere millimeters. Algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the probe apparatus to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body. | 10-14-2010 |
20100268088 | MULTIMODE ULTRASOUND FOCUSING FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods for focusing ultrasound through the skull into the brain for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes may be improved by utilizing both longitudinal and shear waves. The relative contribution of the two modes may be determined based on the angle of incidence. | 10-21-2010 |
20100274136 | ARRAY OF ELECTROACOUSTIC TRANSDUCERS AND ELECTRONIC PROBE FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING - An electroacoustic transducer assembly and probe for emitting and receiving acoustic radiation beams. The transducer assembly comprising an array of electroacoustic transducers composed of a plurality of individual transducer elements each one being composed of an electroacoustic element. A means for defocusing a radiation pulse emitted from the transducer element is associated with each transducer element. The defocusing means is constructed and arranged to cause the radiation pulse to generate a substantially cylindrical or spherical acoustic field. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274137 | Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is disclosed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a main body, a receiving part provided to the main body, and an arch-shaped support mounted on the main body to form the receiving part on the main body. The main body of the apparatus is provided at an upper portion thereof with the arch-shaped support so that the receiving part is defined between the main body and a display unit and can receive peripheral devices, such as an echo-printer, VCR, and the like, which are connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and other articles, thereby providing convenience in maintenance and storage of the peripheral devices and the like. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274138 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE - An ultrasound transducer of the present invention includes elements each provided with an electromechanical conversion element that converts an electric signal inputted between a first electrode and a second electrode into vibration, an array section made up of n elements in a row direction and m elements in a column direction (nm) arranged in a matrix form, and an array forming section that switches between a one-dimensional array state column-wise made up of m element groups formed by electrically connecting the first electrode terminals neighboring in the row direction out of the first electrode terminals in the element groups arranged on the same column and a one-dimensional array state row-wise made up of n element groups formed by electrically connecting the first electrode terminals neighboring in the column direction out of the first electrode terminals in the element groups arranged on the same row in the array section. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274139 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus includes: a transducer array | 10-28-2010 |
20100280388 | CMUT Packaging for Ultrasound System - Ultrasonic scanners and methods of manufacturing ultra-sonic scanners. One embodiment of a method includes integrating a flexible electronic device (e.g. an IC) and a flexible ultrasonic transducer (e.g. a portion of a circular CMUT array) with a flexible member. The IC, the transducer, and the flexible member can form a flexible subassembly which is rolled up to form an ultrasonic scanner. The integration of the IC and the transducer can occur at the same time. In the alternative, the integration of the electronic device can occur before the integration of the transducer. Moreover, the integration of the transducer can include using a semiconductor technique. Furthermore, the rolled up subassembly can form a lumen or can be attached to a lumen. The method can include folding a portion of the flexible subassembly to form a forward looking transducer. The flexible member of some subassemblies can include a pair of arms. | 11-04-2010 |
20100286527 | ULTRASOUND SYSTEM WITH MULTI-HEAD WIRELESS PROBE - An ultrasound system and method is described in which a probe is used in conjunction with a main unit. The probe contains at least two different transducer or transducer array types to provide an operator with a selection of transducer types for use without having to change to a different probe. Transducer types may include wide-band and narrow band transducers or transducer arrays within a single probe, and may be selected for use by a selector switch on the probe. Data collected by the probe during operation may be transmitted wirelessly back to a main unit through the use of a wireless antenna incorporated into the probe. In addition, one of the transducers at either end of the probe may be replaced by an adjunct equipment type such as a stethoscope. | 11-11-2010 |
20100292575 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING TAMPERING OF AN ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe includes a housing having an interior chamber formed therein. The ultrasound probe also includes an electronics assembly provided in the housing, the electronics assembly converting acoustic energy to electrical signals, and a tamper indicating substance applied to the ultrasound probe, the tamper indicating substance adapted to provide a visual indication when the ultrasound probe has been tampered with. A system including the ultrasound probe and a method of fabricating the ultrasound probe are also provided. | 11-18-2010 |
20100292576 | DEVICE FOR IMPROVED EXTERNAL FETAL MONITORING - The present invention described herein is a soft, pliable, cushioning device to be used in conjunction with ultrasound and toco transducers during external fetal monitoring. The device can be shaped to fit the transducers and can easily attach and detach with the transducers via an adhesive layer. The device provides comfort to the patient and improved continuity of the transducers' readings during external fetal monitoring. The device can be a single-use application or reusable. | 11-18-2010 |
20100292577 | ULTRASOUND IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus executing lighting-on and lighting-off of a lighting device by detecting an identification (ID) data of a probe or an operation on an operation panel. The ultrasound image diagnosis also includes a lighting device configured to identify a usage state or non-usage state of the ultrasound probe by a lighting color. While an ultrasound examination is performed in a dimly-lit room, a visibility of an ultrasound probe connector can be increased. | 11-18-2010 |
20100298711 | WIRELESS ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER USING ULTRAWIDEBAND - Ultrasound imaging systems and methods are described that include a cableless front end having a UltraWideBand transceiver and a beamformer that transmit ultrasound data to a back end physically separated from the front end, with the back end having a UltraWideBand transceiver for receiving ultrasound data from the front end UltraWideBand transceiver via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. The back end unit can also receive and transmit commands to and from the front end unit to select an image mode and has a signal processor and scan converter that can convert ultrasound data into image data for display. An input device in the front end allows the operator to selectively display ultrasound data or patient data on an auxiliary worn display or the nearest local display. | 11-25-2010 |
20100298712 | ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS INCORPORATING SPATIAL POSITION SENSORS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An ultrasound probe is equipped with a transducer element array and an internally located position marker trackable by a position sensing system or the like. The position marker is supported by a movement and rotation constraining fixture. The fixture is rigidly connected to the transducer element array of the probe. The fixture constrains the position and orientation of the position marker to match a spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array in the position marker's constrained degrees of freedom. The position marker may moved along and rotated in its unconstrained degrees of freedom to match the spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array. | 11-25-2010 |
20100298713 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ULTRASOUND ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MULTIPLE IMAGING TRANSDUCER ARRAYS - An ultrasonic transducer assembly ( | 11-25-2010 |
20100298714 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC PROBE - When ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to the inside of an examined subject by driving transducer elements of which the quantity is Mx and that are arranged in a two-dimensional array within an ultrasonic probe, a signal selecting unit included in the probe selects, for each of the transducer elements, two adjacent driving signals each having a time delay closest to an accurate time delay (an ideal time delay) required to drive the transducer element, out of driving signals in as many channels as Mo (Mo<11-25-2010 | |
20100305447 | Acoustic medical sensor for ultrasound imaging - A finger mounted acoustic sensor. Various embodiments of the finger mounted acoustic sensors include sensors mounted within a casing designed to fit between fingers. The sensor may be rotated with respect to the casing. Other embodiments include mounting tubes for wearing on a finger. Sensors are embedded in the tube and on the rings such that they are easily positioned using technician's fingers. Other embodiments include rings for mounting sensors on and for steadying the sensors. The hand and finger mounted sensors may be used to provide necessary pressure to the sensor and yet provide a sensor that may be manipulated using hand and finger motion. In other embodiments sensors having a local disconnect are disclosed. Such disconnects may be attached to the clothing of a medical professional, attached via a wrist or armband or the like. Various sensor packages may be accompanied by the use of a flat or flex cable to minimize the torque necessary to manipulate the sensor. Such sensors can be used with a ultrasound platform for generating, processing and displaying ultrasound images. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305448 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INDICATING ULTRASOUND PROBE ORIENTATION AND ACTIVATION STATUS - An ultrasound probe has a probe casing and a light emitting diode (LED). The probe casing has an inner surface and an outer surface. The LED is mounted and contained entirely within the probe casing and the LED is configured to be illuminated when the probe is active. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305449 | ULTRASOUND SIGNAL COMPRESSION - A method and an apparatus for an ultrasound system provide compression of ultrasound signal samples after analog to digital conversion and before beamforming. The analog ultrasound signals received from an array of ultrasound transducer elements are digitally sampled by a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs) to produce a plurality of sequences of signal samples. Each sequence of signal samples is compressed to form a corresponding sequence of compressed samples. The resulting sequences of compressed samples are transferred via a digital interface to an ultrasound signal processor. At the ultrasound signal processor, the received sequences of compressed samples are decompressed. The typical processing operations, such as beamforming, downconversion and detection, are applied to decompressed samples. This abstract does not limit the scope of the invention as described in the claims. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305450 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An apparatus has: an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject and has an ultrasound transmission/reception surface; an acoustic coupler that has a different shape for each type and is attachable and detachable so as to cover the ultrasound transmission/reception surface; a generator that, based on the ultrasound waves received by the ultrasound probe, generates an image expanding in a depth direction from the ultrasound transmission/reception surface; and an analyzer that, based on presence/absence and shape of an acoustic coupler region within the image generated by the generator, identifies presence/absence of mounting of the acoustic coupler and a type of the mounted acoustic coupler. Consequently, the apparatus is capable of identifying the acoustic coupler though the ultrasound probe and the acoustic coupler are not provided with special structures. | 12-02-2010 |
20100312119 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided an ultrasound probe including a capacitive transducer for reducing multiple reflections while maintaining a pulse characteristic with which a high-quality image can be obtained, and is also provided an ultrasound imaging apparatus using the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe including the capacitive transducer is configured so as to satisfy the condition 6.5/f | 12-09-2010 |
20100312120 | HANDHELD IMAGING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - A monitoring device can be configured to facilitate intra-tissue inspection of a probe at a target region, the monitoring device comprising a housing, a transducer coupled to the housing, and a display coupled to the transducer and to the housing. The transducer can comprise a first transducer array aligned to scan a longitudinal plane of the target region, and a second transducer array aligned to scan a transverse plane of the target region. The display can be configured to receive information derived from the first and second transducers to present an image of at least one of the longitudinal plane or the transverse plane, and to present at the image a probe point highlight of a probe point of the probe. Other examples, embodiments, and related methods are described herein. | 12-09-2010 |
20100317972 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER WITH IMPROVED ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE - A system for improving the acoustic performance of an ultrasound transducer by reducing artifacts within the acoustic spectrum is disclosed. The system includes an acoustic layer having an array of acoustic elements, a dematching layer coupled to the acoustic layer and having an acoustic impedance greater than an acoustic impedance of the acoustic layer, and an interposer layer coupled to the dematching layer and comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive element. The interposer layer is formed to have an acoustic impedance lower than the acoustic impedance of the dematching layer. The ultrasound transducer also includes an integrated circuit coupled to the interposer layer and electrically connected to the array of acoustic elements through the dematching layer and the interposer layer. | 12-16-2010 |
20100324425 | Transducer For Ultrasonic Diagnosis Device And Method For Manufacturing The Same - Disclosed is a transducer of an ultrasonic diagnosis device. Electrode patterns are formed inside a backing block, as one body, and thus, a prior art FPCB may be omitted. | 12-23-2010 |
20100331702 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes a probe unit and cooling unit. The probe unit is obtained by arranging, in a housing, a transducer unit which transmits and receives ultrasonic waves with an object to be examined, an electronic circuit unit which is connected to the transducer unit and performs electrical signal processing, and a heat transfer member which is made of a material having a heat transfer coefficient higher than that of the electronic circuit unit, and transfers heat of the electronic circuit unit to a housing surface. The cooling unit is detachably mounted on the housing of the probe unit, and cools the heat transfer member by passing a coolant in a channel formed inside the cooling unit. | 12-30-2010 |
20100331703 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER DRIVE CIRCUIT AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound transducer drive circuit includes an output line connected to an ultrasound transducer, a plurality of switching circuits each of which turns on and off a connection of a power supply unit with the output line, a plurality of ground clamp circuits each of which turns on and off a connection of the output line with ground, and a control signal output unit which outputs control signals for turning on and off the switching circuits and the ground clamp circuits. The switching circuits are different in impedance from one another, and the ground clamp circuits are different in impedance from one another. | 12-30-2010 |
20100331704 | INTEGRATED SENSOR FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS - A sensing assemblage ( | 12-30-2010 |
20110004103 | Ultrasonic Scanhead - An ultrasonic scanhead including an encoder, a pivot, a voice coil motor, and a transducer is provided. The encoder includes a fixed element and a rotary element. The rotary element is disposed at the fixed element and capable of rotating about a first axis. The pivot is through the encoder and capable of rotating with the rotary element. The pivot extends along a second axis and has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The voice coil motor includes a stator and a mover. The first end of the pivot is connected to the mover. The mover is capable of moving linearly along a third axis. The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are substantially perpendicular to each other. The transducer is disposed at the second end of the pivot and capable of emitting an ultrasonic wave. | 01-06-2011 |
20110004104 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MICRO-ELASTOGRAPHY - Device and method associated with vibration micro-elastography for qualitative and/or quantitative measurements of viscoelastic properties, such as the elasticity and/or the viscosity of a viscoelastic medium and more particularly of a human or animal biological tissue, carried out inside the human or animal body. This method may be carried out with the aid of a probe inserted into the human or animal body, which probe is connected to an external controller via a threadlike tube. | 01-06-2011 |
20110015527 | FLAT DOPPLER PROBE AND METHOD OF THE SAME - A flat ultrasound probe includes a housing having sidewalls, each having a height, a bottom surface for contacting an external surface of a patient during operation of the probe, the bottom surface having a width larger than the height of the sidewalls and a flat portion, and a recession in the bottom surface for containing a transmission material on an outer surface of the housing for aiding in transmission of ultrasound signals, the recession being rounded on all sides where the recession contacts the flat portion of the bottom surface. | 01-20-2011 |
20110021923 | Redistribution Layer in an Ultrasound Diagnostic Imaging Transducer - Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging is performed with a multi-dimensional transducer array and an imaging system for planar scanning. The elements of the array may be distributed on a periodic grid with aperiodic shifts in position. When a one-dimensional array is formed on the array, the aperiodic shifts better distribute acoustic energies, reducing peaks in side lobes. Using a layered structure of switches underneath the acoustic elements, side lobes may be further reduced. The switches are used for interconnecting elements to form macro elements of the one-dimensional aperture on the multi-dimensional array. The switches are distributed on a grid corresponding to the desired imaging frequency. The acoustic elements are distributed with a finer pitch. The finer pitch allows formation of the macro elements for the one-dimensional aperture where the edges of the macro elements have fewer or no periodic patterns. | 01-27-2011 |
20110028845 | Reconfigurable Ultrasound Array with Low Noise CW Processing - An ultrasound transducer probe is disclosed comprising: an array of ultrasound transducer elements, each ultrasound transducer element associated with a corresponding unit transducer cell for providing transmit and receive functions, each unit transducer cell including a cell transmit/receive switch connected to a low voltage switch matrix via a low voltage transmit path; and a plurality of microelectronic cross-point switches for switching an externally generated analog transmit signal to one or more of the low voltage transmit paths. | 02-03-2011 |
20110028846 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A 2D array transducer ( | 02-03-2011 |
20110034808 | Dual-Curvature Phased Array High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Transducer for Tumor Therapy - A transducer for use with a high intensity focused ultrasound medical system, said transducer comprises a plurality of transducer elements that are made from multi piezocomposite material; said plurality of transducer elements bonded together in turn with an adhesive and said transducer elements deployed along a geometric structure with two curvatures, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on said transducer for exciting said transducer elements in different phases to emit ultrasonic waves in response to an electrical signal applied to said electrodes to form or to be steered to a common focus center in a desired ablation area. | 02-10-2011 |
20110040189 | COLLAPSED MODE OPERABLE CMUT INCLUDING CONTOURED SUBSTRATE - A capacitive ultrasound transducer capable of operation in collapsed mode either with a reduced bias voltage, or with no bias voltage, is provided. The transducer includes a substrate that is contoured so that a middle region of the flexible membrane is collapsed against the substrate in the absence of a bias voltage. A non-collapsible gap may exists between the substrate and peripheral regions of the flexible membrane. The contour of the substrate may be such as to strain the flexible membrane past the point of collapse, or to mechanically interfere with the flexible membrane. The substrate may include a further membrane disposed beneath the flexible membrane, the further membrane being contoured so that the flexible membrane is collapsed against it. The substrate may a support disposed beneath the further membrane to deflect a corresponding portion of the further membrane upward toward the flexible membrane. The support may be a post. The transducer may be operated in collapse mode with an improved efficiency (k | 02-17-2011 |
20110040190 | Disposable Acoustic Coupling Medium Container - A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered. | 02-17-2011 |
20110060225 | ULTRASOUND PROBE WITH INTEGRATED PULSERS - Various embodiments of an ultrasound probe for use with an ultrasound system are provided to enable local waveform generation with respect to the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes a plurality of transducer elements which are independently configured to transmit distinct waveforms. Certain embodiments include a variety of probes that house one or more waveform generators on application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). | 03-10-2011 |
20110066032 | ASYMMETRIC ULTRASOUND PHASED-ARRAY TRANSDUCER - An asymmetric ultrasound transducer array may include multiple regions or groups of transducer elements. The regions may be configured to generate respective ultrasound beams with different capabilities, such as, e.g., focusing at varying focal depths and lateral steering, and/or focusing into different volumes. | 03-17-2011 |
20110066033 | PROBE OF ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SUPPRESSING VIBRATION THEREOF - A probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method of suppressing vibration thereof are disclosed. The probe includes a transducer moving along a preset locus; a drive unit driving the transducer, a detector sensing real-time vibration of the transducer during movement of the transducer, and a controller controlling operation of the drive unit depending on a sensed degree of vibration to suppress the real-time vibration of the transducer. Factors related to the drive unit and generating vibration of the transducer can be suppressed by changing a drive force transmitted to the transducer depending on a detected degree of real-time vibration of the transducer to suppress vibration of the transducer, thereby improving accuracy in ultrasonic diagnosis and providing a more accurate ultrasound image. | 03-17-2011 |
20110071397 | LARGE AREA MODULAR SENSOR ARRAY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A modular and tileable sensor array with routing in the interposer carrying the signals from the sensors to the integrated circuits. In one embodiment a large area modular sensor array assembly includes one or more tileable modules coupled together. The tileable modules have a plurality of transducer cells forming a sensor, an interposer coupled on a first side to the plurality of transducer cells by a plurality, one or more integrated circuits coupled to a second side of the interposer, wherein the interposer is configured to form the connection of at least some of the transducer cells to the integrated circuits, and one or more input/output connectors coupled to the interposer and providing an external interface. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071398 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL PROBE APPARATUS - An ultrasound probe includes an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a distal housing; a transducer having a transducing surface, the transducer pivotally disposed in the housing and configured so that the transducing surface is capable of selectively rotating between a first position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second position at least collinear with the longitudinal axis; a transmission unit coupled to the transducer to rotate the transducer between the first and second positions; and a location detector coupled to the transmission unit to provide a signal corresponding to an orientation of the transducer between the first and second positions. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071399 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe includes a base; a motor fixedly connected to the base; a driving wheel connected to the output of the motor and driven by the motor; a driven wheel rotationally connected to the base with a shaft; a transducer fixedly connected to the driven wheel for emitting and receiving ultrasonic echoes; two ropes, both ends of each rope having a connection end respectively; one connection end on one end of each rope respectively connected to the driving wheel and another connection end on another end of each rope respectively connected to the driven wheel; and at least one elastic part through which the connection end of at least one end of at least one rope connected to the driving wheel or the driven wheel in a buffering manner, wherein, one end of the elastic part connected to at least one connection end of the rope, and another end of the elastic part connected to the driving wheel or the driven wheel. | 03-24-2011 |
20110077525 | Ultrasound Systems and Methods For Orthopedic Applications - Medical diagnostic instruments and systems are provided that include (i) a proximal handle configured and dimensioned to permit an operator to manually grasp the instrument; (ii) an ultrasound probe including a longitudinal shaft extending distally from the handle and terminating in a distal end, and an ultrasound transducer mounted with respect to the longitudinal shaft proximate the distal end thereof, the ultrasound transducer including an array of ultrasonic energy generation elements; and (iii) a tactile feeler probe mounted with respect to the ultrasound probe, the tactile feeler probe including a longitudinal shaft mounted with respect to the longitudinal shaft of the ultrasound probe and extending distally beyond the distal end thereof, and a feeler probe tip (e.g., a ball tip) defined at a distal end of the longitudinal shaft of the tactile feeler probe. Advantageous methods for use of the disclosed instruments and systems are also provided, e.g., for detecting breaches in cortical bones in connection with pedicle screw placement. | 03-31-2011 |
20110077526 | ULTRASOUND GARMENT - Disclosed is an ultrasound assembly. The ultrasound assembly includes a garment configured to be affixed to a portion of a living body, and at least one ultrasound transducer having a fixed position on the garment and configured to provide at least one of: produce and receive, ultrasound signals that pass through the living body. The ultrasound assembly further includes an ultrasound processing unit operatively associated with the at least one ultrasound transducer and configured to process the ultrasound signals following passage through the living body, and an ultrasound operator-interface unit operatively associated with the ultrasound processing unit and configured to provide information with respect to the ultrasound signals following passage through the living body. | 03-31-2011 |
20110087105 | Ultrasound Guided Probe Device and Sterilizable Shield for Same - Disclosed are medical probe devices and methods for use guiding of percutaneous probes during medical procedures. The probe devices include an ultrasound transducer housing having a passage therethrough configured to accommodate a probe. The devices can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a percutaneous target with real time visualization of the probe during the procedure. In addition, the devices can include a sterilizable shield including a sterile probe guide such that the transducer housing itself can be separated from a subject by a sterile barrier. The sterilizable shield can be a single-use shield that can prevent contamination and re-use of the shield. The devices can define a beneficial geometry conducive to use by a single operator that can be utilized for percutaneous targets near the skin surface and can enable excellent contact between the device and the skin surface of a subject. | 04-14-2011 |
20110092820 | PROBE OF ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The probe includes a transducer movably disposed inside a housing of the probe, a detector detecting movement of the probe, and a drive unit controlling operation of the transducer in response to an output from the detector. Acceleration of the probe is measured to adjust intensity of a holding current in order to suppress operation of the transducer depending on the acceleration of the probe, so that, if there is no movement of the probe, a low holding current is output to increase a transmission current by suppressing heat generation, thereby improving image quality. | 04-21-2011 |
20110105905 | ULTRASONIC DEVICES AND METHODS TO DIAGNOSE PAIN GENERATORS - Ultrasonic devices and methods are provided that diagnose one or more pain generators. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic devices and methods are utilized to map one or more pain generators at or near the spine so that appropriate diagnostic and treatment methods can be performed. | 05-05-2011 |
20110105906 | PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The probe includes a sound matching layer having a mounting groove, a piezoelectric member mounted on the mounting groove, a first connector interconnected to the sound matching layer, and a second connector interconnected to the piezoelectric member. The probe permits interconnection of the piezoelectric member to the first and second connectors to be performed rapidly and easily through a single bonding operation, thereby reducing manufacturing time while facilitating the manufacture of the probe. | 05-05-2011 |
20110105907 | Real Time Ultrasound Probe - An external ultrasound probe assembly capable of scanning a three-dimensional volume is provided. The ultrasound probe assembly contains a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed along a longitudinal axis of the probe assembly. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers is disposed on a mechanism operable to reciprocally pivot the plurality of ultrasonic transducers enabling the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to scan the entire three-dimensional volume. A helically disposed electrical interconnection member may be disposed about a pivot axis of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and may electrically interconnect the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound probe assembly may be fluid filled and contain bubble position control and fluid expansion compensation features. | 05-05-2011 |
20110112405 | Hand Wand for Ultrasonic Cosmetic Treatment and Imaging - Embodiments of the invention provide a dermatological cosmetic treatment and imaging system and method. In some embodiments, the system ( | 05-12-2011 |
20110112406 | SILICONE RUBBER COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING BISMUTH OXIDE AND ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM - The present invention provides novel filled silicone compositions comprising a nano-particulate metal oxide filler selected from nano-particulate monoclinic alpha-phase bismuth oxide, nano-particulate erbium oxide, and mixtures thereof. The new composite compositions exhibit a combination of outstanding performance characteristics in both the cured and uncured states. Thus, the uncured formulations are typically free flowing liquids which are self-leveling, which de-gas readily under vacuum, are readily colorable through the addition of pigments, and which cure at temperatures of about 60° C. The cured compositions possess outstanding acoustic characteristics which make them ideally suited for use in applications such as acoustic lenses for medical imaging and therapy. For example, the acoustic impedance of compositions provided by the present invention is closely matched to the acoustic impedance of human tissue. This may result in an enhancement of ultrasound transmission efficiency between the lens of an ultrasound probe comprising such a composition and the patient. | 05-12-2011 |
20110125024 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR USE IN A FLUID MEDIUM - An ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium includes at least one transducer core having at least one acoustic/electric transducer element. The ultrasonic transducer furthermore includes at least one decoupling element which is configured to reduce a structure-borne noise coupling between the transducer core and a housing. The decoupling element includes at least one porous plastic material, in particular a foamed plastic material. The porous plastic material includes at least one thermosetting polymer and/or at least one thermoplastic. | 05-26-2011 |
20110125025 | THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGING ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe includes a transducer array which is moved back and forth to sweep the image plane of the array through a volumetric region for 3D scanning. The transducer array is mounted on a carriage assembly which moves back and forth on a pair of rails inside a fluid compartment in the probe. The rails are preferentially arcuately curved to provide an elevationally divergent scan with a relatively wide aperture in the near field. A cam is provided for a motor-driven cable drive for the carriage assembly which provides relatively linear motion through the path of travel of the transducer array. | 05-26-2011 |
20110130663 | SYMMETRIC AND PREFERIENTIALLY STEERED RANDOM ARRAYS FOR ULTRASOUND THERAPY - A phased ultrasound array for an ultrasound generating device. In one embodiment, the array includes a plurality of ultrasound elements arranged symmetrically about a point or dividing line in the array with respect to element size, shape and/or element location. In another embodiment, a majority of larger elements of the ultrasound array are arranged on a first portion of the array and a majority of smaller ultrasound elements are arranged on a second portion of the array. The first portion is closer to a preferred direction of steering than the second portion. Another method includes selecting randomly sized ultrasound elements and arranging the ultrasound elements symmetrically on the array. An additional method includes selecting randomly sized ultrasound elements and arranging the ultrasound elements wherein the larger ultrasound elements are arranged on a first portion of the array and smaller ultrasound elements are arranged on a second portion of the array. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130664 | TRANSDUCER COVER, METHOD FOR FORMING THE COVER, AND ULTRASONIC MEDICAL INSTRUMENT WITH THE COVER - A transducer cover for use in an ultrasonic medical instrument having a transducer is disclosed. The transducer cover includes a vibration absorbing layer of a generally cylindrical form made of a synthetic resin having a vibration absorbing property, and a chemical blocking layer of a generally cylindrical form made of a synthetic resin which is impermeable to water and chemicals. The vibration absorbing layer and the chemical blocking layer are coaxially laminated, and capable of sealing arrangement over and around the transducer. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic medical instrument having an ultrasonic transducer and the transducer cover, and a method for forming the transducer cover over and around an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic medical instrument. | 06-02-2011 |
20110137176 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER FINGER PROBE - Finger probe for use in ultrasonic imaging includes a housing and a matrix array arranged within the housing to produce ultrasound beams and which includes a plurality of independently-addressable transducer elements. A finger clip is coupled to the housing and arranged to accommodate an operator's finger. A control unit is coupled to the transducer elements to provide planar and volumetric scanning capabilities. A system and method for ultrasonically interrogating a patient's body part and for producing ultrasound images based on the interrogation using a finger-mounted ultrasound probe are also disclosed. | 06-09-2011 |
20110152690 | HANDHELD FORCE-CONTROLLED ULTRASOUND PROBE - A handheld ultrasound probe includes force detection and feedback to permit control and/or characterization of applied forces. The probe may, for example, be operated to maintain a substantially constant applied force over a period of use independent of a user's hand position, or to measure applied forces that might contribute to deformation of an imaging subject. | 06-23-2011 |
20110152691 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER - An ultrasonic transducer includes: a piezoelectric transducer ( | 06-23-2011 |
20110172541 | HANDHELD FORCE-CONTROLLED ULTRASOUND PROBE - A handheld ultrasound probe includes force detection and feedback to permit control and/or characterization of applied forces. The probe may, for example, be operated to maintain a substantially constant applied force over a period of use independent of a user's hand position, or to measure applied forces that might contribute to deformation of an imaging subject. | 07-14-2011 |
20110178407 | Hard and Soft Backing for Medical Ultrasound Transducer Array - A transducer for multiple purposes is provided. Different backings are used for different elements of a same array. The different backings optimize the respective elements for the desired use. A soft backing (e.g., Z=3 Mrayl) is used behind some elements for ultrasound imaging. A hard backing (e.g., Z=100 MRayl) is used behind other elements for lower frequency operation. | 07-21-2011 |
20110196238 | System and Method for Fetal Heart Monitoring Using Ultrasound - An ultrasound adapter system for performing ultrasound scanning on a target area of a subject over an extended period of time includes a flexible membrane formed to define an interior enclosure and an exterior. The system also includes an ultrasound gel arranged in the interior of the flexible membrane and at least one opening formed in the flexible membrane to provide access to the interior and restricted from allowing the ultrasound gel to pass through the at least one opening. The system further includes a mounting system attached to the exterior of the flexible membrane proximate to the at least one opening. The mounting system includes a mounting adapter substantially surrounding the at least one opening and a set of adapters extending from the ring and configured to engage an ultrasound probe extending through the ring and the at least one opening and into the ultrasound gel and hold the ultrasound in a substantially fixed position in the ultrasound gel relative to the mounting system. | 08-11-2011 |
20110201936 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe according to one embodiment includes a plurality of ultrasound vibrators, a switching part, and an amplification part. The ultrasound vibrator transmits ultrasound and receives ultrasound echoes reflected within a subject. The switching part is configured to cause aperture movement of ultrasound beams by selectively switching signals from two or more of the ultrasound vibrators. The amplification part is configured to amplify signals from the switching part. The ultrasound probe receives signals from the plurality of ultrasound vibrators in a time-division manner by controlling the switching part. In addition, the ultrasound probe further comprises an impedance transforming part. The impedance transforming part is configured to be interposed between the ultrasound vibrator and the switching part, receive signals from the ultrasound vibrator at high impedance, and output such to the switching part at low impedance. | 08-18-2011 |
20110201937 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - The invention discloses a technique, by which a suitable radius of curvature can be obtained so that small type ultrasonic probe will be closely fitted to human body and by which an ultrasonic probe adaptable for human superficial tissues can be provided. According to this technique, the invention provides a frame | 08-18-2011 |
20110208062 | Ultrasound Systems and Methods For Orthopedic Applications - Medical diagnostic instruments/systems are provided that include (i) a proximal handle configured and dimensioned to permit an operator to manually grasp the instrument; (ii) an ultrasound probe including a longitudinal shaft extending distally from the handle and terminating in a distal end, and an ultrasound transducer mounted with respect to the longitudinal shaft, the ultrasound transducer including an array of ultrasonic energy generation elements (iii) a tactile feeler probe mounted with respect to the ultrasound probe; and (iv) at least one hollow receiver member mounted with respect to the longitudinal shaft of the ultrasound probe, the at least one hollow receiver member configured to receive a K-wire to permit the instrument to be slidably mounted thereto for purposes of guiding the ultrasound and tactile feeler probes axially relative to a desired anatomical location. Advantageous methods for use of the disclosed instruments/systems are also provided. | 08-25-2011 |
20110213251 | CONFIGURABLE MICROBEAMFORMER CIRCUIT FOR AN ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM - A microbeamformer integrated circuit has sixty-lour microbeaauCormer channels which may be utilized with a 64-element or 128-element array transducer. Each microbeamformer channel includes a transmitter, a plurality of connection points for selectively coupling the transmitter to one or more transducer elements, a transmit/receive switch coupled to an output of the transmitter, and a receive channel including a variable delay. The connection points may be configured with only one connection point coupled to a transducer element, two connection points coupled to the same transducer element, or multiple connection points coupled to multiple transducer elements. The transmitter may also comprise a separate pulser coupled to each connection point. The receive channels are grouped in groups of sixteen which may be selectively coupled to one of two channel drivers to provide partially beamformed signals to the channels of a system beamformer. | 09-01-2011 |
20110218442 | INTEGRATED BIAS CIRCUITRY FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICES CONFIGURED TO IMAGE THE INTERIOR OF A LIVING BEING - The systems and methods described herein allow for the application of a bias voltage to one or more transducers implemented within a medical ultrasound imaging system. Bias circuitry is placed within an imaging device and used to apply a DC bias to one or more transducers requiring a DC bias to operate. The one or more transducers can be fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing process and integrated with the bias circuitry on a common semiconductor substrate. Also provided is a method for operating the one or more transducers and bias circuitry using a communication channel having two signal lines. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218443 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - An electronic radial ultrasonic probe comprising an electronic radial array which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers being continuously arrayed circularly around an insertion axis as center and also for which a transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is controlled by electronically selecting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer, comprises: a support member equipped on the electronic radial array; a lock member featured with a cavity in which the support member is inserted and with a lock groove for locking a balloon which is mounted in a manner to cover the electronic radial array and in which an ultrasonic medium is filled; and a filler member which is constituted by an adhesive material converting from a fluid state to a solid state, and is filled in the cavity. | 09-08-2011 |
20110224552 | ULTRASOUND ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM COMPRISING INTERCHANGABLE TRANSDUCERS AND DISPLAYS - An ultrasound assembly comprises a module having an input side and an output side; an ultrasound transducer comprising a micro-beamformer configured for attachment to and detachment from the input side of the module; and a display attached to the output side of the module. An ultrasound system is also described. | 09-15-2011 |
20110230766 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING MODALITY IMPROVEMENT - An ultrasound imaging device is disclosed including a transducer with two elements having different operating frequencies, which are arranged to be coaxial. The device has four modes of use, the first mode of use being use of one element for imaging at a first depth range, the second mode of use being use of the other element for imaging at a different depth range, the third mode of use being tissue harmonic imaging, and a fourth mode of use being demodulation imaging. A single image produced by the imaging device includes data contributed by two or more of the modes of use. | 09-22-2011 |
20110230767 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic diagnostic device is characterized by being provided with a cooling mechanism for cooling an ultrasonic vibrator by circulating a refrigerant in a cable of an ultrasonic probe in which the ultrasonic vibrator is provided, a cooling abnormality detecting means for detecting the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism, and an operating means for, when the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism is detected by the cooling abnormality detecting means, performing a degraded operation in which the transmission/reception condition of the ultrasonic vibrator is changed according to the detected abnormal state. | 09-22-2011 |
20110237951 | Data Transmission Via Wide Band Acoustic Channels - Embodiments of the present invention relate to ultrasound (acoustic) data transmission systems, in particular data transmission over wide-band acoustic channels with frequency-dependant multi-path propagation. More specifically, embodiments of the invention involve increasing the bit rate in the acoustic channel by means of utilization of the entire ultrasound spectrum available for data transmission inside a human body. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237952 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL-ARRAY ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe comprises piezoelectric elements arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array, a processing IC configured to process signal information obtained from the piezoelectric elements, and a flexible wiring substrate disposed between the piezoelectric elements and the processing IC, with the piezoelectric elements mounted on a front surface, and the processing IC mounted on a rear surface. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237953 | FRONT-END CIRCUIT FOR AN ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER PROBE - The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer probe | 09-29-2011 |
20110245679 | ENDOSCOPE HOOD - An endoscope hood includes: an opening portion which is placed on a far side with respect to a leading end surface of an insertion part of an endoscope, wherein an opening is formed on the opening portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to an axial direction of the insertion part; and a flexible hood part configured to cover a portion other than the opening, on the far side with respect to the leading end surface of the insertion part, wherein gas inside of the hood part is sucked from a gas suction port of the insertion part, the opening is adsorbed onto a region to be measured, and the hood part is deformed so as to be closely adhered to the region to be measured within a range of the opening and a probe, to thereby fix the probe to the region to be measured in a state where the probe is set therealong. | 10-06-2011 |
20110245680 | ULTRASOUND APPARATUS WITH HUMIDITY PROTECTION - An ultrasound apparatus, a medical device comprising such ultrasound apparatus and a method for operating an ultrasound apparatus are proposed. The ultrasound apparatus ( | 10-06-2011 |
20110245681 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - In an ultrasonic probe including an element part | 10-06-2011 |
20110251489 | ULTRASOUND MONITORING SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPONENTS - Ultrasound monitoring systems and components used in ultrasound monitoring systems, such as Transcranial Dopper (TCD) systems, are disclosed. Components include framework systems for mounting, locating and maintaining one or more ultrasound probes in contact with an anatomical surface, adjustable probe mounting systems, and probe interface components providing an acoustically transmissive interface between a probe mounting system and the emissive face of the ultrasound probe. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251490 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER PROBE - An acoustic generator, comprising: a source of electro-magnetic radiation; a waveguide coupled to said source; and at least one absorbing region defined in said waveguide, said region being selectively absorbing for portions of said radiation meeting at least one certain criterion and having significantly different absorbing characteristics for radiation not meeting said criterion, both of said radiation portions being suitable for conveyance through said waveguide, wherein said absorbing region converts said radiation into an ultrasonic acoustic field. Optionally, said region comprises a volumetric absorber. Alternatively or additionally, said region comprises a plurality of regions. | 10-13-2011 |
20110257532 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND METHOD OF PREPARING ULTRASONIC PROBE - Provided is an ultrasonic probe possessing signal lines for which generation of the acoustic crosstalk between piezoelectric elements to each other constituting a piezoelectric element array, and also provided is a method of preparing the ultrasonic probe. Disclosed is an ultrasonic probe comprising a first piezoelectric element array in which first piezoelectric elements each as a both-sided electrodes-providing piezoelectric element are two-dimensionally arrayed; a second piezoelectric element array layered on the first piezoelectric element array; an acoustic separation section provided between the first piezoelectric elements to each other, arrayed in the first piezoelectric element array; and a signal line possessing a conductive layer coated on an outer circumferential surface of a core material and the core material having an acoustic impedance nearly equal to another acoustic impedance of the acoustic separation section, the signal line connected to the second electrode by passing through the acoustic separation section. | 10-20-2011 |
20110282211 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe having a forced cooling system for circulating a liquid through a probe cable. The ultrasound probe comprised of a handle unit including a plurality of ultrasound transducers, a flexible cable connected to the handle unit and a connector unit coupled to the cable. The cable includes a plurality of electric signal lines and a cooling liquid circulation flow channel. The circulation flow channel is comprised of an outward path for transmitting the cooling liquid from the connector unit to the handle unit, and a return path for transmitting the cooling liquid from the handle unit to the connector unit. At least either one of the outward path or the return path is comprised of a plurality of thin tubes. | 11-17-2011 |
20110282212 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a fastening part having a band shape and wound around a diagnosis object, and a mover moving a probe along the fastening part. | 11-17-2011 |
20110288416 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic probe includes at least one transmission element layer for transmitting ultrasonic waves, at least one reception element layer for receiving ultrasonic waves and which is provided with an electrode on each of both surfaces opposed in a thickness direction thereof, and at least one matching layer for matching acoustic impedance. These layers are arranged in this order in a direction of transmitting the ultrasonic waves. An upper layer and a lower layer each sandwiching the electrodes formed on both surfaces of the reception element layer are each provided with a projecting portion which projects from the reception element layer in a direction of elevation. At least one of the electrodes formed on the reception element layer is formed by extending on a surface of one of the projecting portion opposed to a respective one of the upper layer and the lower layer. | 11-24-2011 |
20110295124 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a first electrode, a plurality of second electrodes, a plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards, and a plurality of connection portions. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are arrayed. The first electrode is provided on the emitting surface side of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. The plurality of second electrodes are respectively provided on the rear surface sides of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. The plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards respectively include a plurality of terminals. The plurality of connection portions electrically connect the second electrodes to the terminals. At least one of the flexible printed circuit boards extends longer than the flexible printed circuit board serving as an upper layer. | 12-01-2011 |
20110301467 | MEDICAL ULTRASOUND 2-D TRANSDUCER ARRAY ARCHITECTURE: SPOT OF ARAGO - An ultrasound device including a main processing unit, a probe part, an array, and an apodization unit that receives an ultrasound signal from the array, the signal having multiple channels, that determines a weight for each channel based on an apodization profile being one of ring-centered and edge-centered, and that multiplies the received ultrasound signal by the determined weight for each channel. The array includes a first area including a first plurality of elements having a first functionality, a second area including a second plurality of elements having a second functionality, and a third area including a third plurality of elements having a third functionality different from the first functionality. The second area further includes a fourth area having a number of elements that are switchable between the second and third types of functionality. The array also includes a dynamic spot including the third and fourth areas. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301468 | ELASTOGRAPHY DEVICE AND METHOD - An elastography device for quantitatively and/or qualitatively measuring the viscoelastic properties of any medium, includes a deformable tube for positioning the ultrasonic transducer located at the end of the deformable tube and for holding it so as to ensure, during at least one measurement, perpendicularity and contact between the ultrasonic transducer and the medium. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301469 | ULTRASOUND DEVICE COMPRISING MEANS TO GENERATE ULTRASOUND BEAM PRESENTING A CONCAVE SEGMENT SHAPE HAVING A SINGLE CURVATURE - A device for treatment of an ocular pathology characterized in that it comprises at least one eye ring ( | 12-08-2011 |
20110306886 | Volume Mechanical Transducer for Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound - A one-dimensional array is used for transmit operation, allowing connection with an imaging system for planar scanning and avoiding transmit electronics in the transducer array. A multi-dimensional array is used for reception only, avoiding transmit interconnects while providing greater coherence in elevation. Both arrays are moved to scan different planes, allowing acquisition of data representing a volume. This transducer arrangement may be used for scanning breasts for cancer screening. | 12-15-2011 |
20110319767 | ULTRASONIC SENSOR, MEASURING DEVICE, AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An ultrasonic sensor has two or more ultrasonic arrays disposed on a probe surface, and a delay control unit that controls a transmission angle of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. The ultrasonic arrays have a linear array structure in which a plurality of ultrasonic elements are arranged in a linear scanning direction, and the delay control unit controls the timing for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic elements and controls the transmission angle of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. Two of the ultrasonic arrays have linear scanning directions that are different from each other and are arranged in positions that are spaced apart from each other. | 12-29-2011 |
20120004554 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS - The ultrasound probe according to the present embodiment comprises ultrasound oscillators configured to transmit and receive ultrasound waves, an intermediate layer configured to have greater acoustic impedance than the ultrasound oscillators, a backing material configured to support the ultrasound oscillators, and a buffer layer. The ultrasound oscillators, the intermediate layer and the backing material are disposed in that order of the ultrasound oscillator, the intermediate layer and the backing material. The buffer layer, which has smaller acoustic impedance than the intermediate layer and the backing material, is disposed between the intermediate layer and the backing material. | 01-05-2012 |
20120004555 | METHOD OF STRETCHING ORGANIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ORGANIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL, ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER, ULTRASONIC WAVE PROBE AND ULTRASONIC WAVE MEDICAL IMAGE DIAGNOSIS DEVICE - Provided is a stretching method of an organic piezoelectric material which sequentially performs a primary stretching step for carrying out primary stretching of an organic piezoelectric material which has not been stretched, a heat treatment step for heat treating the organic piezoelectric material subjected to primary stretching, and a cooling step for carrying out secondary stretching of the heat treated organic piezoelectric material while the organic piezoelectric material is cooled down to the room temperature, and is characterized in that tension is applied continuously to the organic piezoelectric material from the primary stretching step to the cooling step without releasing the tension, and heat treatment is carried out while keeping the tension in a range of 0.1-500 kPa. A stretching method and a production method for producing an organic piezoelectric material exhibiting excellent planarity, machining characteristics and piezoelectric characteristics and suitable for high frequency and broadband are thereby provided, and an ultrasound transducer using the organic piezoelectric material produced by the method, and an ultrasound medical image diagnosis device are also provided. | 01-05-2012 |
20120010510 | Imaging Apparatus and Method | 01-12-2012 |
20120022378 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic probe includes at least one transmission element layer for transmitting ultrasonic waves, at least one reception element layer for receiving ultrasonic waves and which is provided with an electrode on each of both surfaces opposed in a direction of a thickness thereof, and at least one matching layer for matching acoustic impedance. These layers are arranged in this order in a direction of transmitting the ultrasonic waves. The reception element layer is provided with a projecting portion projecting in a direction of elevation from upper and lower layers which sandwich the two electrodes respectively formed on both surfaces of the reception element layer, and at least one of the electrodes is formed by extending to the projecting portion. | 01-26-2012 |
20120035483 | ULTRASONIC HANDPIECE - An ultrasonic handpiece is used for augmenting a bone screw. The handpieces comprise a housing, an ultrasonic converter shiftingly accommodated in the housing, and a sonotrode connected to one end of the ultrasonic converter. The sonotrode protrudes from the housing into the bone screw. An adjuster wheel is adjustably connected to the housing. A spring is provided the ends of which are supported by the ultrasonic converter and the adjuster wheel, respectively. The ultrasonic converter is preloaded in the direction away from the adjuster wheel by setting the adjuster wheel, thereby the sonotrode is urged with a selected force into the bone screw and the augmentation material is pressed out of the bone screw and into the bone. | 02-09-2012 |
20120041314 | ORGANIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL, ULTRASOUND PROBE, AND ULTRASOUND IMAGE DETECTOR - In the present invention, provided is an organic piezoelectric material specifically exhibiting high orientation and thermal stability as an organic piezoelectric material exhibiting an excellent piezoelectric characteristic and having piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity, which is capable of converting thermal or mechanical simulation into electrical energy, and also provided are an ultrasound probe for which the organic piezoelectric material is used, and an ultrasound image detector thereof. It is a feature that an organic piezoelectric material of the present invention possesses a compound represented by Formula (1) and a base material made of an organic polymeric material, satisfying Expression (1): |CLogP (1)−CLogP (base material)|≦3.0 when CLogP values of the compound and the base material are expressed as CLogP (1) and CLogP (base material), respectively. | 02-16-2012 |
20120046551 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - A three-dimensional (3D) mechanical probe capable of ensuring reliable sealing between an acoustic window and a base is disclosed. | 02-23-2012 |
20120046552 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC METHOD - In order to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a transceiver circuit configuration which has a small number of components and is suitable for miniaturization, an amplifier circuit used for both transmission and reception which can be built in an ultrasonic probe and has a function of adding currents of received signals from plural elements is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In addition, an analog matrix switch ( | 02-23-2012 |
20120059265 | Active Transducer Probes and Circuits - In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the amplifier if the voltage level of the first signal is greater than the threshold voltage such that the first signal is propagated in a second direction from the first port to the second port. | 03-08-2012 |
20120065515 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT USING SAME - An ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the present invention includes: an ultrasonic transducer body transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a swing shaft ( | 03-15-2012 |
20120065516 | ORGANIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL, ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER, ULTRASOUND PROBE, AND ULTRASOUND MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM - Disclosed is an organic piezoelectric material which has excellent piezoelectric characteristics and excellent handling properties. Also disclosed are an ultrasound transducer using the organic piezoelectric material, an ultrasound probe, and an ultrasound medical diagnostic imaging system. Specifically disclosed is an organic piezoelectric material which contains a base material that is formed from a resin, and a specific compound (1) that has at least one linking group selected from among specific linking groups. The organic piezoelectric material is characterized in that the relation shown below is satisfied when the CLogP values of the specific compound (1) and the base material are respectively represented by CLogP(1) and CLogP(base material). Relation: |CLogP(1)−CLogP(base material)|≦3.0. | 03-15-2012 |
20120071761 | MEDICAL ULTRASOUND 2-D TRANSDUCER ARRAY USING FRESNEL LENS APPROACH - The embodiments of the array include at least one first annular-like area and at least one second annular-like area that are concentric with each other. The second annular-like area substantially surrounds the first annular-like area. The first and second annular-like areas each exclusively include either dedicated transmit elements or dedicated receive elements. In addition, certain embodiments include a disabled third area or a spot of Argo located inside the first annular-like area and does not perform either transmit or receive function. In certain other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the third annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. In yet other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the second annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. Any of these areas are optionally dynamic and or steered. | 03-22-2012 |
20120071762 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises: an ultrasound probe including a transducer array; a plurality of diagnostic apparatus bodies corresponding to a plurality of parts of the transducer array for transmitting ultrasonic waves through corresponding transducers and processing reception signals from the corresponding transducers, respectively; and a synchronizing signal supply unit for supplying a common clock signal and a common trigger signal to the plurality of diagnostic apparatus bodies for causing the plurality of diagnostic apparatus bodies to operate in synchronism. | 03-22-2012 |
20120071763 | MEDICAL ULTRASOUND 2-D TRANSDUCER ARRAY USING FRESNEL LENS APPROACH - The embodiments of the array include at least one first annular-like area and at least one second annular-like area that are concentric with each other. The second annular-like area substantially surrounds the first annular-like area. The first and second annular-like areas each exclusively include either dedicated transmit elements or dedicated receive elements. In addition, certain embodiments include a disabled third area or a spot of Argo located inside the first annular-like area and does not perform either transmit or receive function. In certain other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the third annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. In yet other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the second annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. Any of these areas are optionally dynamic and or steered. | 03-22-2012 |
20120078109 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM - An ultrasound diagnostic system includes a connection section for detachably connecting an ultrasound device mounted with a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (C-MUT) and a transmission signal generation section that generates a transmission signal using a connector provided in the ultrasound device and a connector receiver provided in the ultrasound observation apparatus, a discharge section for discharging the charge applied to the C-MUT, a lock mechanism that keeps the connection section in a locked state and a released state and a switching section arranged on a signal line between the C-MUT and the ultrasound observation apparatus, wherein when a predetermined mounting state is set, the C-MUT is electrically connected to the transmission signal generation section via the signal line, and through switching by the switching section after an operation of unlocking the lock mechanism, a state is set in which the charge of the C-MUT of the ultrasound device is discharged. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078110 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe comprises: a transducer array having an ultrasound transmission/reception surface; a processing circuit mounted on a signal processing board for processing an ultrasonic echo from a subject received with the transducer array to produce a reception signal; a housing including a transducer array compartment for housing the transducer array at one end and the signal processing board near the transducer array, the housing including a projection at another end projecting in a given direction perpendicular to a center line of an arrangement of the transducer array and a grip between the projection and the transducer array compartment for holding from the given direction, a center of gravity lying in a position away from the center line of the arrangement of the transducer array in the given direction when the ultrasound transmission/reception surface of the transducer array is in a horizontal posture. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078111 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe comprises: a transducer array having an ultrasound transmission/reception surface; a housing for containing a transducer array, a transmission/reception board, a wireless communication board and a battery; and a puncture guide fixed to the housing and having a puncture needle insertion port located on a line extending in a direction of arrangement of the transducer array, wherein when the ultrasound transmission/reception surface of the transducer array is in a horizontal posture, the probe has a center of gravity lying between a center of arrangement of the transducer array and the puncture needle insertion port of the puncture guide in the direction of arrangement of the transducer array and, at the same time, being almost in accordance with a centerline of arrangement of the transducer array in a direction orthogonal to the direction of arrangement of the transducer array. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078112 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC PROBE USED IN SAME - The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe contains at least one reception preamplifier that is provided per transducer element and connected to the transducer at an input side thereof and to a cable at an output side thereof, a transmission bypass unit that is connected between the cable and the transducer, blocks off a reception signal and allows a transmission signal to pass therethrough, and a floating unit that is connected between a power supply terminal of the preamplifier and a driving power source and increases impedance thereof for a high-voltage transmission signal, whereby a bias potential of the preamplifier is electrically set to a floating state and returned to an original bias potential by a reception time. | 03-29-2012 |
20120089028 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTRABODY IMAGING - A catheter that comprises a catheter configured for housing at least a portion of a catheter configured for insertion into a body lumen in proximity of a targeted anatomical site and having an imager at a distal end thereof and an adjustable chamber configured for covering the imager. The catheter is configured for introducing a wave conductive medium to the adjustable chamber to increase wave conductivity between said targeted anatomical site and the imager. | 04-12-2012 |
20120095346 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - There is provided an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus capable of reducing an unnecessary signal component in a reception signal. A sign data array formed of a plurality of sign data items arranged in an element arranging direction is extracted from a plurality of element reception signals having been subjected to delay processing but having not been subjected to summing processing. A factor computing unit computes a first factor indicating a level of sign coherence in the sign data array and a second factor indicating a sign transit density in the sign data array. The factor computing unit then computes a factor (evaluation value) for adjusting gain of the reception signal, based on the first factor and the second factor. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095347 | Multiple Aperture Probe Internal Apparatus and Cable Assemblies - A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate physical apertures of ultrasound arrays. The probe can include separate backing plates configured to secure the ultrasound arrays in predetermined positions and orientations relative to one another. Some embodiments of the probe include flex circuit connected to the ultrasound arrays. In additional embodiments, a flex/PC board comprising flex connectors and an array of terminals is connected to the ultrasound arrays. Algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the probe apparatus to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095348 | Three Dimensional Imaging Intra Cardiac Echocardiography (ICE) Catheter - Provided herein is an ultrasound imaging device including a two dimensional ultrasound imaging array for three dimensional images positioned at least in the vicinity of distal end of a catheter configured to be used for intra organ imaging, wherein the imaging array includes a first number of output ports. The imaging device also includes a high voltage multiplexer configured to (i) reduce the first number of signal lines to a second number of signal lines, wherein the second number is less than the first number and (ii) connect the array to a signal processing system. | 04-19-2012 |
20120101388 | System for Locating Anatomical Objects in Ultrasound Imaging - An ultrasound imaging probe supports determination of the location of an object scanned within a 3D volume. A handheld movable ultrasound imaging device emits ultrasound waves and detects corresponding ultrasound waves reflected from an object. At least three light emitting elements are mounted on the ultrasound imaging device and are detectable by a camera located at a fixed position with respect to a 3D volume where the object is imaged. A motion detector provides data indicating detected movement of the ultrasound imaging device in at least one axis. The data indicating detected movement is used together with distance data indicating distance of the ultrasound imaging device from the camera derived using the light emitting elements and the camera, to determine a location of the object scanned within a 3D volume using the ultrasound imaging device. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101389 | WIRELESS ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM - An ultrasound diagnostic system includes at least one oscillator unit, at least one communication unit which processes and wirelessly transmits reception signals outputted from the at least one oscillator unit and from which the at least one oscillator unit is detachable, and a diagnostic apparatus body which acquires the reception signals through wireless communication with the at least one communication unit to generate an ultrasound image of the reception signals. The diagnostic apparatus body acquires identification information of the at least one oscillator unit and the at least one communication unit to establish the wireless communication with the at least one wireless communication unit so that the reception signals of a probe are wirelessly transmitted to the diagnostic apparatus body. The ultrasound diagnostic system has replaceable oscillator units and is capable of flexible and smooth wireless connection between the diagnostic apparatus body and a probe having desired settings. | 04-26-2012 |
20120108976 | RF SHIELD FOR AN ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER FOR USE IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - An ultrasound transducer for use in a magnetic resonance system is provided with an RF shield formed of electrically conductive material and having an interior cavity configured to receive the ultrasound transducer therein. The RF shield substantially precludes coupling between the ultrasound transducer, and any coupling medium that is employed, and the transmission and reception coils of the magnetic resonance system. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108977 | TISSUE INSERTION TYPE ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe for supporting spine surgery serving as a tissue insertion type ultrasonic probe comprises an insertion unit and an operation unit. On a front end portion of the insertion unit, a tactile member and a transducer unit are provided. The insertion unit comprises a pipe, and a sheath tube provided outside of the pipe. An FPC board serving as a line sheet is provided in the pipe. The FPC board is inserted in a rounded shape similar to a tube along an inner wall surface of the pipe. A large number of signal lines are formed on the FPC board through printing. A ground cable is provided in an inside space of the FPC board. In the operation unit, a rear end portion of the FPC board and a front end portion of another FPC board are connected by thermo compression bonding. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108978 | TISSUE INSERTION TYPE ULTRASONIC PROBE - There is provided an ultrasonic probe for supporting spine surgery which can execute both inspection by tactile sense and inspection by ultrasound diagnosis. A front-end component provided at a front end of an insertion unit. The front-end component comprises a metal component and a resin component, and the metal component comprises a tactile member and an anchor. The resin component comprises a cap portion and a surrounding portion. An insertion portion in the front-end component is inserted into a front end portion of a pipe. The anchor and the front end portion are in close proximity with a certain distance therebetween, such that insulation is secured and vibration transmitted from a head can be transmitted from the anchor to the pipe in a superior manner. | 05-03-2012 |
20120116228 | PIEZOELECTRIC BODY, ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER, MEDICAL ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, AND NONDESTRUCTIVE ULTRASOUND TEST SYSTEM - Disclosed is a piezoelectric body having both broad band property and improved piezoelectricity, which can be suitably used for a sensor, an actuator, an ultrasound transducer and the like. The piezoelectric body is featured in that (a) it comprises a laminate structure which is represented by the following general formula, | 05-10-2012 |
20120123272 | ROTARY ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - This invention relates to a rotary ultrasound imaging system comprising a control device, an ultrasound probe head and a rotary motor device, wherein the rotary motor device receives ultrasound signals sent from the ultrasound probe head, and outputs the received ultrasound signals to the control device through a 360-degree rotation; and the ultrasound probe head comprises a housing with an installation groove which is provided therein with an ultrasound transducer with a concave focusing surface. Since the concave focusing surface is directly formed on the ultrasound transducer, focusing of the rotary ultrasound imaging system is realized without addition of extra components (e.g. lens). Therefore lateral resolution and performance are improved. Furthermore, since the output shaft of the rotary motor of the rotary ultrasound imaging system is configured as a hollow shaft, ultrasound signals from the ultrasound transducer may be sent to the control device through a path of 360-degree rotation. Therefore, complicated modules are not necessary for position alignment and signal connection for 360 degrees rotary ultrasound transducer. The invention may efficiently shield disturbances arising from electrical noise. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123273 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: transmission and reception signal lines that send transmission and reception signals of ultrasound to a plurality of ultrasound transducers; signal determining portions near the ultrasound transducers and determine a selection signal for selecting an ultrasound transducer to be driven or a readout signal for reading out the selection signal, the selection signal being sent out in synchronization with a transmission signal for forming the transmission and reception signal, and couple the ultrasound transducer to be driven with the transmission and reception signal line according to a result of the determination; and direct current blocking/clipping circuits that block a direct current bias component superimposed on the transmission and reception signal and sent via the transmission and reception signal line, and clip a waveform with large amplitude. The transmission and reception signal line sends the transmission and reception signal with the selection signal or the readout signal. | 05-17-2012 |
20120136256 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, POSITION DISPLAY APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a display unit configured to display an ultrasonic image is provided. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer array aligned in a predetermined direction for and configured to transmit an ultrasonic beam to a target object and receive a reflected ultrasonic beam, a probe display unit fixed to said ultrasonic probe and having a length at least as long as a length of said transducer array, and a display control unit configured to, based on a specific information specified in the ultrasonic image displayed on the image display unit, display a corresponding position of the specific information on said probe display unit. | 05-31-2012 |
20120143060 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED THERMAL BEHAVIOR - A transducer assembly ( | 06-07-2012 |
20120143061 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL ARRAY ULTRASONIC PROBE - A two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of channels arranged apart from each other in a two-dimensional direction, each channel including a laminated piezoelectric element and an acoustic matching layer formed on the laminated piezoelectric element, the laminated piezoelectric element including a plurality of first and second electrodes arranged alternately within a piezoelectric body in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric body such that the side edges alone of the first electrodes and the second electrodes are exposed to the two mutually facing side surfaces of the piezoelectric body, respectively. The laminated piezoelectric element is mounted to a backing member. A signal side electrode and a ground electrode are formed to respectively extend from both side surface of the piezoelectric body to reach the backing member and are connected to the side edges of the first and second electrodes exposed to the side surface of piezoelectric body, respectively. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143062 | MAGNETIC DIAGNOSTIC PROBE CONNECTOR SYSTEM - A magnetic connection system suitable for use with a wireless ultrasound probe which utilizes a plurality of magnets to facilitate coupling between said probe and a diagnostic or clinical device in a manner which minimizes the effects of stray magnetic fields on the device. | 06-07-2012 |
20120150041 | CELL AND CHANNEL OF ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER, AND ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER INCLUDING THE SAME - A cell of an ultrasonic transducer is provided. The cell includes a substrate; a supporting portion disposed on the substrate; a thin film spaced apart from the substrate and the supporting portion; and a connection portion which connects the supporting portion and the thin film. The connection portion may include a deformation portion that is elastically deformable. A channel of the ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of cells arranged in an array. The ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of channels arranged in an array. | 06-14-2012 |
20120157853 | Acoustic Transducer Incorporating an Electromagnetic Interference Shielding as Part of Matching Layers - Ultrasound probes, and methods of forming probes, with electromagnetic shielding and/or improved heat management are provided. Certain probes include an acoustic stack including an active layer, a protection face plate or lens, and a matching layer. The matching layer includes a mass layer and a spring layer. The probe further includes a cable configured to communicate signals to and from the ultrasound probe. The probe further includes an electromagnetic radiation shield comprising the mass layer. The shield encompasses the active layer and the cable, and is grounded via an electrode. The shield is configured to inhibit external electromagnetic radiation from interfering with the signals communicated to and from the ultrasound probe via the cable. Certain probes are configured such that the mass layer is thermally connected to a thermal drain or a heat sink such that heat is conducted away from the protection face plate or lens. | 06-21-2012 |
20120165677 | MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM AND MEDICAL IMAGING METHOD THEREOF - A medical imaging system and a medical imaging method thereof are provided. The medical imaging method includes the following steps: acquiring an ultrasound image and a photoacoustic image; and overlapping the ultrasound image and the photoacoustic image to generate an overlapped image. | 06-28-2012 |
20120165678 | 3D MECHANICAL PROBE - A three-dimensional (3D) mechanical probe for ultrasonic imagining is disclosed. | 06-28-2012 |
20120190985 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - There is provided an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus capable of reducing an unnecessary signal component in a reception signal. A plurality of sign bits arranged in the channel direction are extracted from a plurality of element reception signals. A binarization circuit applies binarization processing to the plurality of sign bits to thereby generate a sign data array. An evaluation value computing unit computes an evaluation value (GSCF) based on a DC vicinity component contained in the sign data array on the frequency axis. This evaluation value is used to adjust the gain of the reception signal in a multiplier. With application of the binarization processing, excessive reduction of the reception signal can be prevented. Further, as the DC vicinity component is referenced, the side-lobe component can be appropriately reduced even if a certain degree of fluctuation exists in the main-lobe component. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190986 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound probe comprises a transducer array composed of a plurality of arrayed subdice elements, a plurality of signal lines for connecting the transducer array to an apparatus body that controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and a channel forming/connecting section that selects a connection between the plurality of subdice elements to form a plurality of channels each composed of a selected number of subdice elements which is changed by switching connections between a plurality of subdice elements, and assigns the plurality of channels to any of the plurality of signal lines to select, from among the plurality of signal lines, effective signal lines connected to the plurality of channels to transmit driving signals supplied to the transducer array and reception signals outputted from the transducer array to the apparatus body. | 07-26-2012 |
20120197130 | RECEIVING CIRCUIT, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE DISPLAYING APPARATUS - A receiving circuit in an ultrasonic probe that includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive ultrasonic waves is provided. The receiving unit includes an amplification unit configured to amplify an echo signal received at the ultrasonic transducer. The amplification unit includes a current output amplifier. The receiving circuit further includes a delay unit configured to provide a delay time to output signals of the amplification unit. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197131 | PROBE-MOUNTED ULTRASOUND SYSTEM CONTROL INTERFACE - In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe is provided including a probe body with a sensing face arranged to be held in contact with a subject by a user. The probe also provides a tactile interface located on a side of the probe body sufficiently close to the sensing face so that a user can depress the tactile interface with a finger while the probe is grasped by the user via the thumb of the same hand and at least two other fingers of the same hand rest in contact with the subject. The probe includes at least one switch which is activated by depression of the tactile interface. | 08-02-2012 |
20120209120 | Integrated Ultrasound Transmitter with Cascode Trimming - Transmitters and waveform generators are provided for ultrasound imaging. Low-voltage transistors are connected in cascode with the high-voltage transistors used to generate the ultrasound pulses. The low-voltage transistors trim the high-voltage transistors, adjusting the drive strength of the high-voltage transistors. By trimming, the rise and fall time of the pulses generated by the high-voltage transistors may be more closely matched. | 08-16-2012 |
20120209121 | ULTRASOUND PROBE INCLUDING A SECURING MEMBER - An ultrasound probe includes a proximal portion including a transducer array, a distal portion, and a connecting portion configured to couple the scanning portion to the distal portion, the connecting portion sized to be received between two fingers to enable the ultrasound probe to be secured to an operator's palm. An imaging system including the ultrasound probe is also described herein. | 08-16-2012 |
20120215111 | NATURAL EXHAUSTION TYPE ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A natural exhaustion type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The natural exhaustion type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a case unit forming the outer portion of a control panel for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, a suction part provided at the lower portion of the case unit and forming a path through which air is sucked into the case unit, and an exhaust part provided at the upper portion of the case unit and forming a path through which the air introduced into the case unit through the suction part is discharged to the outside. | 08-23-2012 |
20120238879 | IMAGING PROBE - An imaging probe includes a first nub protruding from an elongate housing in a direction away from the long axis and configured to be grasped by a robot apparatus performing a procedure of the object or subject to position the imaging probe in connection with a region of interest of the subject or object to image the region of interest with the probe. The imaging probe further includes at least one other nub located on and protruding from the elongate housing in a direction away from the long axis and configured to be grasped by a robot apparatus performing the procedure to facilitate grasping the first nub by the robot apparatus. | 09-20-2012 |
20120238880 | COMPOSITE ACOUSTIC BACKING WITH HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY FOR ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ARRAY - A backing block for an ultrasonic transducer array stack of an ultrasound probe is formed as a composite structure of material of high thermal conductivity in which is embedded a structure of acoustic dampening material. In a constructed embodiment the composite structure is formed from a block of thermally conductive graphite in which a plurality of cylindrical holes are formed which are filled with acoustic dampening material. The holes are angled in relation to the Z-axis direction from the rear of the transducer stack so that reverberation energy traveling in that direction will encounter acoustic dampening material. The graphite around the holes is effective to conduct heat to the rear of the probe and away from the transducer stack and its ASIC. | 09-20-2012 |
20120245470 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe includes, a transducer, a substrate includes electrodes formed on a front surface and a back surface and electronic components, first flexible wire substrates connected in such a manner that a first end is connected to the transducer and a second end is connected to a electrode at a side of the front surface of the substrate, second flexible wire substrates connected in such a manner that a first end is connected to the transducer and a second end is connected to a electrode at a side of the back surface of the substrate, and a dummy materials including the same rigidity and thickness as those of the first flexible wire substrate is arranged at a space, adjacent to a electrode at the side of the front surface of the substrate, corresponding to the second end of the second flexible wire substrate. | 09-27-2012 |
20120253199 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC PROBE MANUFACTURING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes a transducer element, a backing material, and a buffer layer. The transducer element vibrates to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave. The buffer layer is provided on the back side of the transducer element. The backing material is provided on the back side of the buffer layer and damps an ultrasonic wave from the transducer element. The buffer layer has a Poisson ratio larger than that of the backing material. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253200 | LOW-COST IMAGE-GUIDED NAVIGATION AND INTERVENTION SYSTEMS USING COOPERATIVE SETS OF LOCAL SENSORS - An augmentation device for an imaging system has a bracket structured to be attachable to an imaging component, and a projector attached to the bracket. The projector is arranged and configured to project an image onto a surface in conjunction with imaging by the imaging system. A system for image-guided surgery has an imaging system, and a projector configured to project an image or pattern onto a region of interest during imaging by the imaging system. A capsule imaging device has an imaging system, and a local sensor system. The local sensor system provides information to reconstruct positions of the capsule endoscope free from external monitoring equipment. | 10-04-2012 |
20120302890 | CRADLE APPARATUS FOR A STEPPER TO HOLD ULTRA-SOUND PROBE - A cradle is connected to a stepper-stabilizer via a plurality of cradle fix holes, wherein said cradle further comprises, a locking knob that is attached to a side of said cradle used for tightening and loosening; a capture knob that is mounted inside said locking knob; a clamp that is connected on top of said cradle used to wrap over and on top of a probe; a probe lock fixer that is attached to said clamp; a cradle base affixed between said cradle and said stepper-stabilizer that allows for movement change in angular rotation of the horizontal axis of said cradle while being connected to said stepper-stabilizer; a plurality of roller-bearings attached between said cradle base and said cradle; and a perpendicular locker attached along a rail of said cradle base used to fix said cradle in a set predetermine angle. | 11-29-2012 |
20120316445 | Ultrasonic transducer and ultrasonic diagnostic device using same - In an ultrasonic transducer comprising a first electrode, a first insulating film disposed on the first electrode, a hollow part provided above the first insulating film and disposed between surfaces above and below the hollow part, a second insulating film disposed above the hollow part, and a second electrode disposed on the second insulating film, a first conductive film disposed on the side of the surface below the hollow part and a second conductive film disposed on the side of the surface above the hollow part are provided, the first conductive film and the second conductive film are disposed so that they overlap with a region in which the surfaces above and below the hollow part contact with each other as seen from above when the transducer is driven, and they do not overlap with each other in the region as seen from above. With such a configuration, there are provided a structure suitable for, even when the surface above the hollow part contacts with the surface below the hollow part, suppressing concentration of electric fields and electric currents in the insulating films in the contact region, and suppressing injection of electrical charge into the insulating films and degradation of dielectric strength thereof, and an ultrasonic diagnostic device using it. | 12-13-2012 |
20120323124 | PROBE WITH DORSAL CONNECTIVITY - A probe which has a housing defining a receptacle, an ultrasound transceiver which emits from one aspect of the housing, a cable exiting from an opposing aspect of the housing, wherein the transceiver and cable are interconnected with a connective structure. | 12-20-2012 |
20130018269 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound transducer includes a substrate and a lower electrode layer, a lower insulating layer, an upper insulating layer, and an upper electrode layer. The lower insulating layer and the upper insulating layer are arranged to be opposed to each other via an air gap section. The upper insulating layer and the lower insulating layer are different in a material and thickness and satisfy Equation 1 below. In Equation 1, K | 01-17-2013 |
20130023768 | ULTRASOUND PROBE POSITIONING IMMERSION SHELL - Proposed is an improved ultrasonic immersion shell made of soft biocompatible material which forms a water-tight seal when attached to an ultrasonic A-Scan probe. When properly filled with fluid, it utilizes a convex liquid dome to form a meniscus between itself and the cornea in order to eliminate any corneal compression during immersion biometry and maintaining majority of the fluid within its immersion chamber once removed from the eye therefore eliminating the need for any cleanup of excess fluid. | 01-24-2013 |
20130030301 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS DEVICE - Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnosis device which is provided with a shutter mechanism. The shutter mechanism conceals an opening portion (a passage for a rotation shaft member), which is uncovered behind an operation panel when the operation panel moves forward, so as to enhance the appearance and safety. The shutter mechanism has a pair of first shutter plates and a pair of second shutter plates, the pairs overlapping each other. Each shutter plate rotates about a predetermined rotational shaft which does not slide back and forth. Each shutter plate has a pin slot into which a slide pin is inserted. A pair of slide pins are provided on a member that slides back and forth. When the pair of slide pins move forward, the contact relationship between the pair of slide pins and a plurality of pin slots causes the pair of first shutter plates to start closing first, and subsequently the pair of second shutter plates start closing. | 01-31-2013 |
20130053697 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM, ULTRASOUND PROBE, AND METHOD OF REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION - An ultrasound imaging system, an ultrasound probe, and a method for detecting motion of an ultrasound probe with a motion sensor attached to the probe. The ultrasound system, ultrasound probe, and method also include reducing a power consumption of the ultrasound probe in response to detecting no motion for a period of time with the motion sensor. | 02-28-2013 |
20130060144 | SCANNING DENTAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY PROBE - A dental ultrasonography probe includes a probe tip having a scanning ultrasonography transducer that generates a narrow beam ultrasonic transmission signal over a sequence of beam angles, that receives an ultrasonic return signal, and that generates an ultrasonic receive signal in response to the ultrasonic return signal to identify and measure dental and craniofacial objects and features. A probe body has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the probe tip. | 03-07-2013 |
20130096436 | INDUCTIVE TUNING SYSTEM FOR ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - Medical devices are disclosed that include a tunable ultrasonic transducer assembly, as well as related assemblies and methods. A medical device includes a transducer controller, a transducer having an input side connected with the ultrasound transducer controller via an input electrical conductor, and a tuning assembly that is electrically connected between the input electrical conductor and the ground potential. The tuning assembly is adjustable to provide a selected inductance from a number of different inductance values. The tuning assembly includes a multi-position switch and a plurality of tuning inductors. The switch is operable to select combinations of tuning inductors, thereby providing a selected inductance value between the input electrical connector and the ground potential so as inductively tune the medical device. | 04-18-2013 |
20130109973 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, CHARGER, ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130116570 | LOCAL COMPRESSION DURING AUTOMATED ULTRASOUND SCANNING AND METHODS OF ACOUSTIC COUPLING - A system for imaging a portion of a body, such as a human breast. The system comprises a first scanning system that ultrasonically scans a portion of a body while a compression system applies a compressing force to the portion of the body being scanned. A device is used for containing an acoustic coupling gel for enhanced acoustic coupling with the portion of body. | 05-09-2013 |
20130137988 | Method and Apparatus for the Augmentation of Physical Examination over Medical Imaging Data - An augmented ultrasound examination system, comprises: a) an ultrasound system suitable to generate images of a body portion; b) a first position sensor coupled to the ultrasound transducer of said ultrasound system; c) a second position sensor suitable to be coupled to a finger; and d) data processing apparatus suitable to receive position information from said first and from said that second position sensors and to generate therefrom information correlating on a screen the position of said second position sensor with the image generated by said ultrasound system. | 05-30-2013 |
20130137989 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND CORRESPONDING ULTRASOUND DETECTION SYSTEM - An ultrasound probe and a corresponding ultrasound detection system comprising at least one button, the function of which can be defined by a user based on different applications. According to a clinical application mode in use, functions of button clicking can be automatically redefined and changed to satisfy needs of more complicated diagnostic conditions. Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to configure the function of a button based on different applications, and provide more flexibility and convenience for a user. | 05-30-2013 |
20130144173 | ULTRASONIC PROBE DEVICE AND A DETECTION METHOD THEREOF - An ultrasonic probe device comprising a fixing mechanism, an ultrasonic transducer, and a rotatable mechanism, wherein the fixing mechanism and the ultrasonic transducer are connected through the rotatable mechanism, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer is rotatable on the fixing mechanism to a predetermined position for scanning. | 06-06-2013 |
20130150722 | LIVING BODY TESTING PROBE - A living body testing probe includes a living body contact part, a grip part, a non-mechanical switch part and a notification part. The living body contact part is configured and arranged to contact a living body. The non-mechanical switch part is configured and arranged to receive an operation input for changing test conditions upon being touched or approached. The notification part is configured and arranged to output information indicative of a change in the test conditions based on the operation input received by the non-mechanical switch part. | 06-13-2013 |
20130150723 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe including a transducer array, and a back unit connected to the ultrasound probe by wireless communication and generating an ultrasound image based on reception signals outputted from the transducer array, the ultrasound probe including a middle unit connected to the back unit by wireless communication and a front unit detachably connected to the middle unit and including the transducer array, and the front unit having a transmission driver that supplies drive signals to the transducer array and causes the transducer array to transmit an ultrasonic beam and a preamplifier that amplifies reception signals outputted from the transducer array. | 06-13-2013 |
20130158408 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic diagnostic device is provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a test subject, a sensor provided in the ultrasonic probe and configured to detect a dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe, a dynamic analysis section configured to analyze the dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe based on a detection signal of the sensor, and a control section configured to perform a control operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device corresponding to the dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe as identified from the analysis by the dynamic analysis section. | 06-20-2013 |
20130158409 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING ANALOG BEAMFORMING - A method and apparatus for performing analog beamforming is provided. According to the method and apparatus, the analog beamforming is effectively performed by using as small a number of devices as possible and by processing a relatively small amount of data. | 06-20-2013 |
20130165794 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING AN ULTRASOUND PROBE TO AN IMAGING SYSTEM - A connector assembly for coupling an coaxial cable to an ultrasound probe includes a cable clamp having an opening extending therethrough, the opening sized to receive a coaxial cable therethrough, the coaxial cable including a strain member and a plurality of coaxial cables extending therethrough, and a collet configured to couple to the cable clamp, the collet including an arbor that is configured to tension the strain member to a predetermined tension. A method of fabricating a connector assembly and an ultrasound imaging system are also described herein. | 06-27-2013 |
20130165795 | OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUISITION APPARATUS - An object information acquisition apparatus includes a holding member, a probe unit, a transducer, a housing, an opposing member, and a separating member. The holding member holds an object. The probe unit scans with respect to the holding member and includes a housing and a transducer positioned to form a space between the transducer and the holding member. The transducer receives an acoustic wave from the object through the holding member and is housed in the housing. The opposing member is provided at an upper position relative to an area that is scannable with the probe unit. The separating member is provided in at least one of the probe unit and the opposing member and having a shape that is changeable. The separating member reduces spreading of a matching liquid that has flowed onto the housing from the space between the transducer and the holding member. | 06-27-2013 |
20130165796 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT - An ultrasound diagnostic equipment has at least one rechargeable ultrasound probe with a built-in battery, and a diagnostic equipment body connected to the at least one ultrasound probe in a wireless manner, wherein the diagnostic equipment body includes a power supply unit which supplies power to the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe, and a power supply controller which causes the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe to selectively perform refresh charging and top-up charging using the power supply unit on the basis of power supply information to the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe and the examination situation in the diagnostic equipment body. | 06-27-2013 |
20130172756 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONNECTION TO A TRANSDUCER IN ULTRASOUND PROBES - Methods and systems for connection to a transducer in ultrasound probes are provided. One connection arrangement includes a connector having a transducer connection portion configured to couple to a transducer of an ultrasound probe and a scan head connection portion configured to extend from a scan head of the ultrasound probe containing the transducer. The transducer connection portion and the scan head connection portion being a single element. | 07-04-2013 |
20130172757 | MULTIPLE TRANSDUCER AUTOMATIC INITIATION - A first transducer and a second transducer provided by an ultrasound probe are spaced so as to be alternately coupled to tissue overlying an object to be imaged. The emission of ultrasound pulses by one of the first transducer and the second transducer is automatically initiated based on positioning of said one of the first transducer and the second transducer to the tissue overlying the object to be imaged. | 07-04-2013 |
20130178744 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe comprises a body terminating at a nose, an ultrasound transducer adjacent the nose and facing a first direction, and a touchpad zone to detect a sliding gesture of a first digit. The first touchpad zone extends along a first surface facing a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. | 07-11-2013 |
20130197368 | BACKING ELEMENT OF ULTRASONIC PROBE, BACKING LAYER OF ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A backing element of a ultrasonic probe, a backing layer of a ultrasonic probe, and a manufacturing method thereof, the backing layer formed by arranging a plurality of members each having a shape of a polygonal column in a one-dimensional manner or in a two-dimensional manner while each of the plurality of members is provided with a conductive trace formed at one side surface thereof, thereby electrically connecting an ultrasonic transducer array, which is being acoustically connected to the backing layer, in a further simple and definite manner. | 08-01-2013 |
20130204140 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe including: an ultrasound transmission/reception portion; a cable; a housing; a hole portion of the housing; an insulation pipe having a proximal end side exposed outside the housing; an insulation tube covering an outer circumference of an exposed region of the insulation pipe and an outer circumference of the cable; an adhesive located between the outer circumference of the exposed region and a distal end side region of the insulation tube and configured to adhere the insulation pipe and the insulation tube to each other; and a sticky member disposed between the exposed region and the distal end side region together with the adhesive. | 08-08-2013 |
20130218016 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND APPARATUS - Provided is an ultrasound probe, including: a transmitting unit that transmits an ultrasound wave in response to an input of a transmitting signal which is an electric signal; a receiving unit that generates a receiving signal by converting a reflected wave of the transmitted ultrasound wave into an electric signal; an amplifying unit that amplifies the receiving signal; and a signal switching unit that interrupts the amplifying unit, while the transmitting signal is being transmitted and connects the amplifying unit while the transmitting signal is not transmitted. | 08-22-2013 |
20130218017 | PORTABLE ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a body, a handle installed at a side of the body and configured for protruding from or retracting into the body, and a display unit displaying an image. The display unit is detachably mounted on the handle, and thus the handle installed to the body functions as a stand for the display unit. Thus, it is convenient to use the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. | 08-22-2013 |
20130218018 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound transmission/reception portion which transmits and receives ultrasound, a proximal-end-side balloon fixing portion arranged on a more proximal end side than the ultrasound transmission/reception portion and having a stepped shape in which a proximal end side is high, and a balloon fixing tool mounting groove arranged on a more distal end side than the proximal-end-side balloon fixing portion and having a width narrower than a width of the proximal-end-side balloon fixing portion. | 08-22-2013 |
20130226004 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC PROBE AND APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having a probe configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave. The diagnostic probe includes a driving unit. A transducer is configured to rotate by receiving a rotating force generated by the driving unit A rotary shaft of the driving unit is directly connected to the transducer, and thus the components configured for the delivery of a driving force are cancelled, and thereby the composition of the probe is simplified. | 08-29-2013 |
20130226005 | ULTRASONIC DEVICE, PROBE, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE, AND PROCESSING DEVICE - An ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic element group, a first to an Nth driving electrode lines, first and second terminals. The ultrasonic element group includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements forming “N” columns arranged along a second direction intersecting with a first direction with each of the “N” columns including a plurality of the ultrasonic elements arranged along the first direction, “N” being a natural number that is equal to or more than 2. The first to the Nth driving electrode lines are arranged along the first direction. An ith driving electrode line is connected to the ultrasonic elements constituting an ith column among the “N” columns, with “i” being a natural number equal to or less than “N”. The first terminal is connected to one end of the ith driving electrode line, and the second terminal is connected to the other end of the ith driving electrode line. | 08-29-2013 |
20130226006 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - An ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic transducer, an electrode extraction layer, and a low acoustic impedance matching layer. The ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of elements arranged with predetermined spacing. The electrode extraction layer is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The low acoustic impedance matching layer is provided on the electrode extraction layer, having lower acoustic impedance than the ultrasonic transducer, wherein a plurality of grooves are shaped on the surface of the electrode extraction layer side in parallel to the element array direction. The ultrasonic probe prevents resolving power deterioration in ultrasonic images that may further extract electrodes of an ultrasonic transducer with high reliability. | 08-29-2013 |
20130231566 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - The present application relates to an ultrasonic probe including a connector capable of applying an electrical signal to a piezoelectric material and disposed at the outside of a backing layer, and a method of manufacturing the same. The ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric material, a backing layer installed on the rear surface of the piezoelectric material, and a first connector installed on at least one side surface of the backing layer and electrically connected to the piezoelectric material. | 09-05-2013 |
20130231567 | VISUAL IMAGING SYSTEM FOR ULTRASONIC PROBE - A non-invasive visual imaging system is provided, wherein the imaging system procures an image of a transducer position during diagnostic or therapeutic treatment. In addition, the system suitably provides for the transducer to capture patient information, such as acoustic, temperature, or ultrasonic images. For example, an ultrasonic image captured by the transducer can be correlated, fused or otherwise combined with the corresponding positional transducer image, such that the corresponding images represent not only the location of the transducer with respect to the patient, but also the ultrasonic image of the region of interest being scanned. Further, a system is provided wherein the information relating to the transducer position on a single patient may be used to capture similar imaging planes on the same patient, or with subsequent patients. Moreover, the imaging information can be effectively utilized as a training tool for medical practitioners. | 09-05-2013 |
20130231568 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - According to the present embodiment, the ultrasound probe includes a piezoelectric vibrator, an open/short switching board, a short terminal, and a GND terminal. Then, the open/short switching board and the short terminal switch between a short state in which the electrode of the piezoelectric vibrator is connected to the GND terminal and an open state in which the electrode of the piezoelectric vibrator is not connected to the GND terminal, at any timing. | 09-05-2013 |
20130231569 | MEDICAL ULTRASOUND 2-D TRANSDUCER ARRAY USING FRESNEL LENS APPROACH - The embodiments of the array include at least one first annular-like area and at least one second annular-like area that are concentric with each other. The second annular-like area substantially surrounds the first annular-like area. The first and second annular-like areas each exclusively include either dedicated transmit elements or dedicated receive elements. In addition, certain embodiments include a disabled third area or a spot of Argo located inside the first annular-like area and does not perform either transmit or receive function. In certain other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the third annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. In yet other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the second annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. Any of these areas are optionally dynamic and or steered. | 09-05-2013 |
20130231570 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus includes: a transducer array 1 composed of arrayed transducer elements T1 to T6 for transmitting ultrasound; driving circuits D1A to D6A each provided for transmission channels for driving each of the transducer elements; a transmission trigger generator 2 for generating a trigger pulse for controlling each of the driving circuits; a parallel reception beam former 3 for processing reception signals from the transducer elements; a signal processor 4 for processing an output signal of the parallel reception beam former; and a control unit 5 for controlling the transmission trigger generator, the parallel reception beam former and the signal processor. The transmission trigger generator controls the width of the trigger pulse independently for each of the transmission channels to cause the driving circuit to output a driving pulse approximating a predetermined weighting value assigned to an output amplitude of each of the transmission channels in a transmission aperture of the transducer array. A circuit for forming a trapezoidal transmission beam for increasing a data acquisition rate by using parallel reception beams can be configured at low cost by using pulse amplifiers. | 09-05-2013 |
20130245449 | BALANCE BODY ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable. The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable. | 09-19-2013 |
20130245450 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER AND DEVICES INCLUDING AN ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer for an ultrasound imaging device including a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a two dimensional array on a single carrier of semi-conductor material including the step of providing a buffer layer between the carrier and a layer including piezo electrical material, the buffer layer having a thickness arranged for dicing each of the plurality of transducer elements on the carrier. | 09-19-2013 |
20130245451 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment includes a receiving unit and a light emitting unit. The receiving unit receives input operation related to transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves performed by a piezoelectric vibrator transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves under the control of an apparatus body. The light emitting unit emits light in a first light emission state when connected to the apparatus body and emits light in a second light emission state when the receiving unit receives input operation in a state that the light emitting unit is connected to the apparatus body. | 09-19-2013 |
20130253326 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTERFACING HIGH-DENSITY TRANSDUCER ARRAYS - The embodiments of the probe in the ultrasound imaging diagnostic apparatus include at least one rigid interface device for connecting a high-density acoustic array and a predetermined low-density device while maintaining one-to-one connection. The rigid interface provides a first connection area having a predetermined high density and a second connection area having a predetermined medium density that is lower than the high density. The second connection area offers a connection surface for connecting a predetermined low-density device having a predetermined low density that is lower than the medium density. | 09-26-2013 |
20130253327 | PROBE HAVING SEPARABLE SCANHEAD - The invention relates to a probe that is comprised in an ultrasonic diagnostic system, wherein the probe comprises: a scanhead which includes a housing that functions as a handle, a transducer that is installed on one side of the housing, a tuning board that is accommodated within the housing and has one side connected with a PCB of the transducer, and a board connection-connector that is connected with the other side of the tuning board; and a cable assembly which has one end on which a scanhead connector detachably coupled with the board-connection connector is positioned, and has the other end on which a system connector is placed. Since the scanhead can be separated from the cable assembly such that the scanhead can be replaced, overall convenience of a user is improved greatly, and consequently, the ultrasonic diagnostic system can be miniaturized and carried in a portable form. | 09-26-2013 |
20130261465 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic probe includes an element chip, a flexible wiring member and a control circuit. The element chip includes a substrate forming a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern and a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements disposed at the openings. The flexible wiring member is connected to the element chip, and forming at least a part of an annular body surrounding a space. The control circuit is connected to the flexible wiring member and electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer elements via the flexible wiring member. | 10-03-2013 |
20130281863 | PORTABLE ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged. | 10-24-2013 |
20130289410 | ULTRASONIC PROBE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ULTRASONIC PROBE APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe apparatus and a method of manufacturing the ultrasonic probe apparatus are provided. The ultrasonic probe apparatus may include at least one first tile which transmits an ultrasonic beam toward a target object, and at least one second tile which receives an ultrasonic beam which is reflected from the target object. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289411 | APPARATUS TO REMOVABLY SECURE AN ULTRASOUND PROBE TO TISSUE - A patch apparatus removably receives an ultrasound probe and attaches to a portion of a body, for example, via an adhesive. The patch apparatus may be disposable. The patch apparatus includes at least one cavity that sealingly holds a gel during use. The cavity may be sized to removably receive the ultrasound probe, in compression with the bodily tissue. Alternatively, the patch apparatus may include an adhesive or other fastener (e.g., hook and loop fastener) to removably retain the ultrasound probe. One or more magnets may indicate an orientation of the ultrasound probe or other information regarding an imaging procedure. An ultrasound probe may include a housing that is at least partially transparent, a display housed in the housing and visible from an exterior thereof, and one or more magnets to encode information regarding an orientation and/or procedure. | 10-31-2013 |
20130296707 | USER INTERFACE FOR ULTRASOUND SCANNING SYSTEM - An ultrasound scanning system includes a graphical user interface that provides visually intuitive feedback to a user to assist the user in properly aligning an ultrasound scanner to a desired acquisition state. In addition to providing pose information, the feedback may direct the user as to a target contact force applied by the ultrasound scanner to a surface undergoing a scan. | 11-07-2013 |
20130303917 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus are provided that are capable of reducing the frequency with which false images are generated in an ultrasound diagnostic image. An ultrasound probe of an embodiment comprises a transducer element unit in which multiple groups of transducer elements are arranged, and a selection means. Each of the multiple groups of transducer elements has a first to n | 11-14-2013 |
20130303918 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An ultrasound probe and ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus that can maintain surface temperature of an ultrasound probe within a safe range, without reduction in performance. The ultrasound probe includes a casing, a transducer, an electronic circuit, and a heat-transfer construction. Elements of the transducer are aligned at one end of the casing and send out ultrasound waves in accordance with their respective delay times. The electronic circuit, disposed in the casing, includes a delay circuit setting delay times and pulsers for generating pulses in accordance with the delay times, the pulses being sent to the transducer. While the electronic circuit is being energized, the heat-transfer construction disposes a member having a low heat conductivity at least either between the electronic circuit and the casing or between the electronic circuit and the transducer. Thereby, heat from the electronic circuit is conducted to the other end of the casing. | 11-14-2013 |
20130310693 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER, ULTRASONIC PROBE, DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT - An ultrasonic transducer includes “m” first ultrasonic elements including first diaphragms, and “n” second ultrasonic elements including second diaphragms. “m” represents a number of the first ultrasonic elements and is an integer of 1 or more. Each of the first diaphragms has a first area. “n” second ultrasonic elements includes second diaphragms. Each of the “n” second diaphragms has a second area being smaller than the first area. “n” represents a number of the second ultrasonic elements and is an integer larger than “m”. The “m” first ultrasonic elements are electrically connected in series in a case where “m” is an integer of 2 or more. The “n” second ultrasonic elements are electrically connected in series. B/A is within a range of 0.9 to 1.1, when a total sum of the first areas is “A” and a total sum of the second areas is “B”. | 11-21-2013 |
20130310694 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An optical fiber guides light output from a light source to an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes a light guiding section that guides the light from a light input end, which is optically coupled with the optical fiber to a light output end provided in the vicinity of ultrasonic transducers. The light guiding section has a first light guiding portion that includes the light input end, and a second light guiding portion that includes the light output end. The first light guiding portion is formed by glass, and magnifies input light. The second light guiding portion is formed by resin, and emits the light toward a subject from the light output end. | 11-21-2013 |
20130310695 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - To provide an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of appropriately assigning a transmission delay time of a group to a transducer without complicated wires. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of the embodiment comprises a plurality of transducers, a timing pulse generator, a switch part, and a switch controller. Ultrasound waves are transmitted to the transducers. The timing pulse generator has output terminals for outputting timing pulses based on a delay time to a channel corresponding to each of the transducers, in which a plurality of output terminals are divided into groups and each group has the output terminals of a specific number greater than two. The timing pulse generator then generates the transmission delay time within a predetermined time range for the each group. The switch part selectively connects the channels with the output terminals. The switch controller divides the plurality of channels into channel regions of the same number as the specific number, and controls the switch part so as to correspond between the groups and the regions by connecting the channels and the output terminals. | 11-21-2013 |
20130317365 | ULTRASOUND SCANNING SYSTEM - A three dimensional ultrasound scanning system includes devices to capture an acquisition state for a scan including quantitative data about the conditions under which the scan was obtained. The conditions may include pose and contact force of an ultrasound probe in relation to a target. This data may be used to obtain a three dimensional reconstructed volume of a target. | 11-28-2013 |
20130324852 | PROCESSING DEVICE, ULTRASONIC DEVICE, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - A processing device that performs a process of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave includes an ultrasonic device, a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller. The transmitter is configured to output a driving signal to the ultrasonic device. The ultrasonic device includes a high-frequency ultrasonic element line and a low-frequency ultrasonic element line. The high-frequency ultrasonic element line is configured to arrange a plurality of ultrasonic elements having a resonance characteristic of a first frequency. The low-frequency ultrasonic element line is configured to arrange a plurality of ultrasonic elements having a resonance characteristic of a second frequency. The transmitter is configured to output the driving signal of a sine wave to the high-frequency ultrasonic element line in a first mode. The transmitter is configured to output the driving signal of a square wave to the low-frequency ultrasonic element line in a second mode. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324853 | DRIVE APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A drive apparatus for an ultrasonic device includes a transmission circuit for outputting a first through n-th (where n is an integer 2 or greater) drive signal to first through n-th driving electrode line belonging to the ultrasonic device, as well as a control unit for controlling the transmission circuit. In a case where the phase difference between an i-th (where i is an integer 1≦i≦n−1) drive signal and an i+1-th drive signal is a first phase difference, the transmission circuit outputs the first through n-th drive signals at a greater voltage amplitude than a case where the phase difference between the i-th drive signal and the i+1-th drive signal is a second phase difference greater than the first phase difference. | 12-05-2013 |
20130331703 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe including a capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer; an ultrasound observation apparatus, and a reception circuit; a transmission ultrasound transducer and a reception ultrasound transducer included in the capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer, the transmission ultrasound transducer including a plurality of transmission capacitive cells, and the reception ultrasound transducer including a plurality of reception capacitive cells; a transmission signal cable connecting the transmission ultrasound transducer and the transmission circuit; a reception signal cable connecting the reception ultrasound transducer and the reception circuit; a first matching section and a second matching section that perform electrical impedance matching for the ultrasound transmission signal and the ultrasound reception signal, the first matching section and the second matching section being provided for a predetermined transmission region and a predetermined reception region for generating an ultrasound beam for one pixel, respectively. | 12-12-2013 |
20130331704 | FLEXIBLE ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER DEVICE - Exemplary embodiments provide a flexible, ambulatory and non-invasive ultrasound transducer device attachable to a user's body for transmitting ultrasound waves and receiving echoed ultrasound waves for performing non-invasive monitoring or imaging of the internal structures of the user's body. One or more ultrasound transducers are provided on a flexible, soft and thin backing layer that is adhered conformably and closely to a user's body so that the transducers are maintained in direct and intimate contact with the user's body. An exemplary device is used to monitor the heartbeat of a fetus inside a pregnant woman's womb. | 12-12-2013 |
20130331705 | ULTRASONIC CMUT WITH SUPPRESSED ACOUSTIC COUPLING TO THE SUBSTRATE - An array of cMUT cells are formed on individually isolated massive plates on a substrate. The mass of each plate provides an inertial force in opposition to the force and motion of transmission by the cell which reduces the resultant translation of motion in the plate. The reduction in motion results in less coupling of acoustic energy into the substrate and contamination of the signals of adjacent cMUT cells by lateral waves. The unwanted wave coupling into the substrate can be further damped by compliant or sparse periodic mounting of the massive plates on the substrate. | 12-12-2013 |
20130338507 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ELEMENT UNIT, PROBE, PROBE HEAD, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic transducer element unit includes a substrate, a first ultrasonic transducer element, and a projecting portion. The substrate includes openings being arranged in an array pattern and a main surface. The first ultrasonic transducer element is configured at a first opening of the openings on the main surface of the substrate and has a first height in a vertical direction from the main surface. The projecting portion is configured not to overlap with the first ultrasonic transducer element in a planar view in a thickness direction of the substrate on the main surface and having a second height which is greater than the first height in the vertical direction. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338508 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC INSPECTION APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe includes a substrate, a diaphragm, a thin-film piezoelectric element, a communication passage, and an air hole. The substrate has first and second cavities thereon. The diaphragm is configured at the first cavity. The thin-film piezoelectric element is configured to the diaphragms. The communicating passage is configured in the substrate and extending from the first cavity to the second cavity. The air hole extends between the communicating passage to an outside of the substrate. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338509 | BIOLOGICAL TESTING DEVICE - A biological testing device includes a device body including an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving part, and a mounting member for mounting the device body on a tested object. The ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving part includes a sensor array substrate including ultrasonic transducers, first and second resin material parts, and an ultrasonic wave transmitting medium. The first resin material part forms a first space closed off from an outside space between the first resin material part and the sensor array substrate with the first resin material part facing the ultrasonic transducers. The second resin material part forms a second space communicating with the first space. The second space is closed off from the outside space, at least a portion of the second resin material part including a flexible portion configured and arranged to bulge toward the outside space. The ultrasonic wave transmitting medium fills the first space and the second space. | 12-19-2013 |
20130345567 | HIGH POROSITY ACOUSTIC BACKING WITH HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY FOR ULTRASOUND TRANDUCER ARRAY - A backing block for an ultrasonic transducer array stack of an ultrasound probe is formed as a composite structure of graphite foam impregnated with an epoxy resin. The epoxy resin penetrates the porous foam structure at least part-way into the depth of the graphite foam block and, when cured, provides the backing block with good structural stability. The composite graphite foam backing block is bonded to the integrated circuit of a transducer to provide high thermal conductivity away from the transducer and good acoustic attenuation or scattering of rearward acoustic reverberations. | 12-26-2013 |
20140005550 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING EQUIPMENT AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING USER INTERFACE LAYOUT | 01-02-2014 |
20140005551 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS | 01-02-2014 |
20140005552 | ULTRASOUND PROBE | 01-02-2014 |
20140031694 | PORTABLE ULTRASONIC IMAGING PROBE INCLUDING A TRANSDUCER ARRAY - A portable ultrasonic imaging probe that is adapted to connect to a host computer via a passive interface cable. The probe includes an array of ultrasound transducers, a high voltage pulser for energizing transducers to emit an ultrasound pulse, analog signal processing circuitry that combines echoes detected by transducers into a single analog echo signal, am analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog echo signal into a digital echo signal; and interface circuitry that transfers the digital echo signal across the passive interface cable to the host computer. The probe includes transmit switches configured to selectively connect sets of ultrasound transducers to the HV pulser and a plurality of receive switches configured to selectively connect sets of ultrasound transducers to the analog signal processing circuitry. | 01-30-2014 |
20140031695 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe including a transducer which transmits an ultrasound signal to a target, receives the ultrasound signal reflected from the target, and transduces the received ultrasound signal into an analog signal; an A/D converter which converts the analog signal output by the probe into a digital signal; a compression unit which compresses the digital signal output from the A/D converter; and a host computer which decompresses the digital signal compressed by the compression unit and performs beamforming. | 01-30-2014 |
20140066778 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICE, PROBE, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate, a vibrating film, a piezoelectric element, an input section and a detection section. The substrate has a plurality of openings. The vibrating film provided in each of the openings to cover a corresponding one of the openings. The piezoelectric element is provided in each of the openings on the vibrating film. The input section is configured and arranged to input a drive signal to a part of piezoelectric elements among the piezoelectric elements. The detection section is configured and arranged to detect vibration of the piezoelectric elements, in which the drive signal is not inputted, among the piezoelectric elements while the drive signal is inputted to the part of the piezoelectric elements among the piezoelectric elements. | 03-06-2014 |
20140066779 | ATTACHMENT FOR ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC PROBE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An attachment for an ultrasonic probe is adapted to be mounted onto an ultrasonic probe body of the ultrasonic probe. The attachment for an ultrasonic probe includes a cover member and a protective member. The cover member is configured and arranged to cover an ultrasonic wave emission surface of a head section of the ultrasonic probe body when the attachment is mounted onto the ultrasonic probe body. The protective member is provided to a surface of the cover member facing the ultrasonic wave emission surface, and configured and arranged to be in contact with the ultrasonic wave emission surface when the attachment is mounted onto the ultrasonic probe body. | 03-06-2014 |
20140073927 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An ultrasonic transducer includes: a first electrode layer disposed on an upper substrate and a support; a second electrode layer which is disposed on a lower surface of the upper substrate and is separated from the first electrode layer; an upper electrode disposed on an upper surface of a membrane to contact an upper surface of the first electrode layer; a trench formed through the upper electrode, the membrane, the support, and the upper substrate; and a pad substrate disposed under the upper substrate and including bonding pads that electrically connect to the first and second electrode layers, respectively. | 03-13-2014 |
20140081145 | MULTI-CHANNEL HEMISPHERICAL ULTRASONIC WAVE TRANSMIT AND RECEIVING DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A multi-channel hemispherical ultrasonic wave transmit and receive detection system and method, wherein, a transmit control system transmits out a plurality of detection signals through an energy converter, a receive system receives the reflected signals reflected from an obstacle, in determining a channel used by said transmit control system to control a multiplexer to select a channel to switch to and then amplify said reflected signals. Then, said receive system performs high speed analog-to-digital sampling, and high speed transmission through USB for said reflected signals amplified. Finally, a Graphic User Interface (GUI) of a computer performs smooth-out processing for said reflected signals and displays its waveforms, in determining distance to said obstacle. | 03-20-2014 |
20140088431 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT APPARATUS, ULTRASOUND MEASURING APPARATUS, ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An integrated circuit apparatus includes transmitting circuits TX | 03-27-2014 |
20140107486 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH ADC SATURATION MONITOR - An ultrasound imaging system and method employs hardware and/or software to monitor values indicative of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) saturation for each channel as a function of depth. Any of a number of actions may be performed based on the monitored values. For example, analog amplification or TGC may be adjusted to enhance the use of a dynamic range of ADCs while reducing or eliminating ADC saturation. A TGC profile may be adjusted. An alert may be provided. A power consumption may be adjusted. | 04-17-2014 |
20140107487 | ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATING ULTRASOUND PROBE BASED ON MOTION OF THE ULTRASOUND PROBE - Provided are an ultrasound system and method for automatically activating an ultrasound probe based on motion of the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe for transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object and receiving an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object; a sensing unit for sensing the ultrasound probe and generating sensing information corresponding to motion of the ultrasound probe; and an automatic activation unit for activating the ultrasound probe based on the sensing information. | 04-17-2014 |
20140114193 | ULTRASOUND SCANNING SYSTEM - A force-controlled ultrasound imaging device uses a linear drive system to maintain a suitable contact force with a subject. A combination of hardware and software limits on travel for the linear drive system provide intuitive user feedback while helping to ensure that the linear drive system remains active throughout the scan, while responding appropriately to initiation and termination of scans. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114194 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND PROBE CONTROLLING METHOD - An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detecting unit and a deflecting unit. The detecting unit detects at least one selected from between a force applied to an ultrasound probe and a movement of the ultrasound probe. The deflecting unit tilts a transmission direction of an ultrasound wave transmitted from the ultrasound probe, based on at least one selected from between the force and the movement. | 04-24-2014 |
20140121524 | TABLET ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for portable medical ultrasound imaging. Preferred embodiments utilize a tablet touchscreen display operative to control imaging and display operations without the need for using traditional keyboards or controls. Certain embodiments provide ultrasound imaging system in which the scan head includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field sub array beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. Exemplary embodiments also provide an ultrasound engine circuit board including one or more multi-chip modules, and a portable medical ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound engine circuit board with one or more multi-chip modules. Exemplary embodiments also provide methods for using a hierarchical two-stage or three-stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images which can be generated in real-time. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121525 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe according to the present disclosure includes: an ultrasound element unit | 05-01-2014 |
20140121526 | ULTRASOUND ELEMENT AND ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE - A US element includes a silicon substrate, wherein a lower electrode layer that has a plurality of lower electrode sections, and a plurality of lower wiring sections, and is connected to a lower electrode terminal to which a drive signal and a bias signal are applied, a lower insulating layer, an upper insulating layer in which a plurality of cavities are formed, an upper electrode layer that has a plurality of upper electrode sections and a plurality of upper wiring sections, and is connected to an upper electrode terminal at a ground potential for detecting a capacitance signal, and a protection layer are sequentially stacked on the silicon substrate, and the US element further includes a shield electrode section that is formed at least at an upper side of the lower wiring sections, and is connected to a shield electrode terminal at a ground potential. | 05-01-2014 |
20140128739 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An ultrasound imaging system and method includes performing a gesture with a probe and detecting the gesture based on data from a motion sensing system in the probe. The motion sensing system includes at least one sensor selected from the group of an accelerometer, a gyro sensor and a magnetic sensor. The ultrasound imaging system and method also includes performing a control operation based on the detected gesture. | 05-08-2014 |
20140128740 | PORTABLE ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged. | 05-08-2014 |
20140135628 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe configured to be connected to an apparatus main body of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is configured to perform an ultrasonic procedure on a subject is provided. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to the subject and receive an ultrasonic echo reflected from the subject, an inductor connected in parallel with the transducer, and a current limiter connected to the inductor and configured to limit a current flowing through the inductor to a predetermined current level or lower. | 05-15-2014 |
20140135629 | Ultrasound Barrier Devices and Methods Related Thereto - In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a barrier device. The barrier device has a generally flat base with a width and a length. The base has a top portion and an opposite bottom portion. A surface of the bottom portion includes adhesive. A barrier extends upwardly from the base, the barrier having a generally flat first side and an opposite generally flat second side. A width between the first side of the barrier and the second side of the barrier is less than the width of the base. | 05-15-2014 |
20140148703 | MEDICAL DEVICE WITH ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS EMBEDDED IN FLEXIBLE FOIL - The invention relates to ultrasound imaging method and apparatus suitable for minimally invasive ultrasound diagnostic devices in cardiac ablation monitoring and in tumor ablation monitoring. The present invention proposes to manufacture a transducers assembly and system on a patterned flexible foil by embedding transducers patches in apertures on the foil surface. This provides great control of the acoustic properties of the transducer. | 05-29-2014 |
20140171801 | MEDICAL DEVICE SUPPORT APPARATUS - A support apparatus for a medical device is provided. The support apparatus comprises a hollow body having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface defining a channel extending through the body along an axis, and at least two opposing wings coupled to the outer surface of the body and extending generally perpendicular to the axis, wherein channel is adapted to releasably receive the medical device and support the device in a fixed position. | 06-19-2014 |
20140171802 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe with transducers, memory storing probe identification information and binary state generation unit generating a binary electrical state corresponding to a probe identifier, probe identifier conversion unit converting the electrical state into the probe identifier, read unit reading the probe identification information from the memory, determination unit determining consistency between the probe identifier after conversion and the probe identification information read from the memory, and warning output unit outputting a predetermined warning if the probe identifier is inconsistent with the probe identification information. | 06-19-2014 |
20140180115 | ULTRASONIC SENSOR, MEASURING DEVICE, AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate, three or more ultrasonic arrays and a control unit. The three or more ultrasonic arrays are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The control unit is configured to control ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. Each of the three or more ultrasonic arrays includes a linear array structure has a plurality of ultrasonic elements arranged in a corresponding one of three or more straight lines, with the three or more straight lines collectively enclosing a closed area on a plane that contains the surface of the substrate. The control unit is configured to control the ultrasonic waves transmitted from each of the three or more ultrasonic arrays so that the ultrasonic waves are transmitted within a scanning plane that contains the corresponding one of the three or more straight line and that is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. | 06-26-2014 |
20140187956 | Ultrasonic Transducer Electrode Assembly - The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element. | 07-03-2014 |
20140194742 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An ultrasound imaging system and method includes performing a gesture with a scan system and detecting the gesture based on data from a motion sensing system in the scan system. The motion sensing system includes at least one sensor selected from the group of an accelerometer, a gyro sensor and a magnetic sensor. The ultrasound imaging system and method also includes performing a control operation based on the detected gesture. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194743 | RECIPROCATING ULTRASOUND DEVICE - A device for internal ultrasound procedures includes a motor which rotates a drive shaft and an ultrasound transducer. A gearing assembly provides reciprocating rotational motion from a unidirectional motor. A cam assembly provides reciprocating pivotal motion to the transducer. Conductors can attach to the transducer and extend through the drive shaft. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194744 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER DIRECTION CONTROL - Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a chamber within which is a transducer mounted to a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and a coil for providing a pivot force to the transducer. A magnet is attached to the transducer and is receptive of a torque applied by a magnetic field produced by energizing of the coil. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194745 | ULTRASOUND IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasound image diagnostic device including: a transducer to output transmission ultrasound toward a subject by a drive signal and also to output a reception signal by receiving reflection ultrasound from the subject; a noise output section in which when the transducer receives the reflection ultrasound, a voltage containing noise is applied to the transducer to amplify the reception signal by a stochastic resonance phenomenon; a harmonic extracting section to extract a harmonic component from the reception signal; and an image processing section to generate ultrasound diagnostic image data of an interior of the subject based on the harmonic component extracted by the harmonic extracting section, wherein the noise output section applies a voltage containing noise such that the harmonic component is amplified by the stochastic resonance phenomenon to the transducer. | 07-10-2014 |
20140207001 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC MEDICAL SYSTEM ADOPTING THE SAME - An ultrasonic probe and a medical system adopting the same. The ultrasonic probe includes at least one support plate having a first state of being folded and a second state of being unfolded. The ultrasonic probe also includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on the at least one support plate. | 07-24-2014 |
20140207002 | RING LASER FOR USE WITH IMAGING PROBE AS A SAFE MARGIN INDICATOR - A surgical imaging apparatus is disclosed, and includes an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and including at least one ultrasonic transducer. The surgical imaging apparatus also includes at least one light source being operatively coupled with the elongate body and configured to move relative to the elongate body. The at least one light source is configured to project light onto a tissue surface. The light is dimensioned to illuminate a section of tissue corresponding to a tissue margin. | 07-24-2014 |
20140213906 | CALIBRATION FOR 3D RECONSTRUCTION OF MEDICAL IMAGES FROM A SEQUENCE OF 2D IMAGES - Provided herein are systems and methods (i.e., utilities) that are directed to correcting misalignments or offsets between a series or sequence of medical images. The utility corrects offsets between a series of medical images obtained where an imaging device (e.g., ultrasound probe) is supported by a positioning mechanism where there is misalignment between an imaging axis or other reference point of the imaging device and the axis of movement of the positioning device. The determination of this offset between these axis allows for calculating a transformation that allows for placing each of the series images into a common frame of reference. | 07-31-2014 |
20140221839 | TRANSFORMER-BASED MULTIPLEXER FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A low-loss high-voltage multiplexer is implemented using a transformer that is connected to one transmitter, one receiver and transducer elements. At least one primary winding is magnetically coupled at least two secondary windings. For example, a first transducer element and a second transducer element are connected to the secondary windings of a multiplexer that multiplexes between these transducer elements via the secondary windings. The multiplexer also optionally switches between the transmitter and the receiver during the transmission and the reception. | 08-07-2014 |
20140221840 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER, ULTRASOUND PROBE INCLUDING THE SAME, AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE ULTRASOUND PROBE - Provided are an ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound probe including the ultrasound transducer, and ultrasound diagnostic equipment including the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound transducer includes a piezoelectric unit including a plurality of piezoelectric elements which vibrate to convert ultrasound waves into electrical signals and electrical signals back into ultrasound waves, and a dummy piezoelectric unit which is disposed at edges of the effective piezoelectric unit and includes a plurality of dummy piezoelectric elements which vibrate due to vibration of the piezoelectric unit. | 08-07-2014 |
20140221841 | ULTRASOUND PROBE, ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF ULTRASOUND PROBE - Disclosed is an ultrasound probe which outputs ultrasound on a basis of a drive signal which is to be received. The ultrasound probe including a composite piezoelectric layer in which a piezoelectric material and a polymer material are arranged alternately in a one-dimensional array or in a two-dimensional array, an acoustic reflection layer which has an acoustic impedance higher than an acoustic impedance of the composite piezoelectric layer and an adhesion layer which bonds the composite piezoelectric layer and the acoustic reflection layer wherein in a bonding surface of the composite piezoelectric layer that bonds with the acoustic reflection layer, a polymer material part is concaved in a direction opposite to an acoustic reflection layer side comparing to an piezoelectric material part. | 08-07-2014 |
20140221842 | System and Method for Frequency Domain Photoacoustic Intravascular Imaging - A photoacoustic device capable of performing both intravascular photoacoustic (“IVPA”) imaging and intravascular ultrasound imaging is provided. The device includes one or more optical fibers coupled to a transducer assembly that includes an photoacoustic transducer and optionally an ultrasound transducer. The one or more optical fibers and photoacoustic transducer are arranged such that the illumination field generated by the one or more optical fibers is co-aligned with the sensitive region of the photoacoustic transducer. When both are present, the photoacoustic transducer and ultrasound transducer are arranged such that ultrasound generated by the ultrasound transducer avoids interfering with the sensitive region of the photoacoustic transducer. Frequency domain imaging may be achieved using an intensity-modulated continuous wave (“CW”) laser coupled to the one or more optical fibers. | 08-07-2014 |
20140236015 | HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND PROBES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND OPERATING THE SAME - An ultrasound probe includes a therapeutic ultrasound transducer, a slot disposed in the therapeutic ultrasound transducer, and a first diagnostic ultrasound transducer disposed in the slot and configured to move along the slot. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236016 | ULTRASOUND DEVICE WITH CAVITY FOR CONDUCTIVE MEDIUM - Devices and systems are disclosed that are associated with ultrasound sound devices. In one embodiment, a diaphragm for an ultrasound device comprises a housing configured with a receiving cavity defined by one or more sidewalls, wherein the receiving cavity is configured to hold a conductive medium. A connector formed in the housing is configured to connect the diaphragm to an ultrasound device. | 08-21-2014 |
20140243676 | DELTA DELAY APPROACH FOR ULTRASOUND BEAMFORMING ON AN ASIC - Systems are disclosed for ultrasound beamforming on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In certain embodiments, the system includes an ultrasound probe that includes a plurality of transducer elements electrically coupled to an ASIC. The ASIC includes a plurality of waveform generators electrically coupled to a plurality of delay units. Each delay unit receives a waveform from a waveform generator or an adjacent delay unit, applies a delay to the waveform, and outputs the waveform to adjacent delay units, one or more of the plurality of transducer elements, or both. The delays that are provided to waveforms before being output to a transducer element determine the beamforming characteristics of the ultrasonic pulses generated by the ultrasound probe. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243677 | PROBE TIP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A probe tip assembly for receiving at least a portion of an ultrasound probe therein includes a body having a proximal end and an opposing distal end. A first opening may be located at the proximal end of the body. The first opening may be sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the probe therein. A second opening may be proximate the distal end of the body. A membrane may cover the second opening. | 08-28-2014 |
20140249419 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS - A method for manufacturing an ultrasound probe which includes a piezoelectric element for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves and an acoustic matching layer provided by lamination of two or more matching materials on a front surface of the piezoelectric element, the method including forming at least one of the two or more matching materials from a thermosetting resin and a filler for adjusting an acoustic impedance; and bonding the two or more matching materials with an adhesive having a viscosity of 10 Pa·s or less at 25° C. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249420 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a signal generation unit, amplitude adjustment units and a control unit. The signal generation unit generates a pulse signal with a predetermined voltage amplitude. The amplitude adjustment units individually change the voltage amplitude of the pulse signal so as to output pulse signals with individual voltage amplitudes to their respective transducers. The control unit controls change amounts of the voltage amplitude made by the amplitude adjustment units. Each amplitude adjustment unit includes resistive elements and switching units which change a conductive state of their respective resistive elements. The control unit outputs a control signal to set a combination of ON and/or OFF of the switching units to change a load of the amplitude adjustment unit so as to apply to the transducer a voltage for an amplitude of ultrasound which is transmitted from each of the transducers. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249421 | Locking Mechanism for Probe Connector and Portable Ultrasound Device Having the Same - A locking mechanism for probe connector that is connected to a shaft of the probe connector, includes a door and a drive assembly for releasing or locking the probe connector by opening and closing of the door. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249422 | INNOVATIVE COMPONENTS FOR AN ULTRASONIC ARC SCANNING APPARATUS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various aspects of imaging systems, including permeable and impermeable barriers separating liquid compartments, one of which contains the object to be imaged and the other an ultrasonic transducer, a fluidic bearing between a transducer carriage and guide supporting the carriage, a linear motor for the carriage, and a location sensing device for the carriage. | 09-04-2014 |
20140257107 | Transducer Assembly for an Imaging Device - The present disclosure provides a transducer assembly. The transducer assembly includes a flex circuit. The transducer assembly also includes a first substrate that includes a piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT). The transducer assembly further includes a second substrate that includes an Integrated Circuit (IC) device. At least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is bonded to the flex circuit through wire bonding or through flip-chip. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257108 | PRECONFIGURED ULTRASOUND CONDUCTIVE MEDIUM - Embodiments associated with ultrasound conductive medium are described. In one embodiment, an ultrasound conductive medium is formed into a preconfigured shape that is a structure configured to attach over a head of an ultrasound device. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257109 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING COMPOSITE PIEZOELECTRIC BODY, METHOD FOR PRODUCING ULTRASOUND PROBE, COMPOSITE PIEZOELECTRIC BODY, ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS - A method for producing a composite piezoelectric body includes: forming a composite piezoelectric body by filling a non-conductive polymer between a plurality of piezoelectric materials arranged in an array state at predetermined intervals, and polishing one surface of the composite piezoelectric body, from which surface at least the piezoelectric materials and the polymer are exposed, by using an abrasive film in which an abrasive particle is applied to a base film. | 09-11-2014 |
20140276074 | Flexible Driveshafts with Bi-Directionally Balanced Torsional Stiffness Properties - This document provides flexible driveshaft devices. For example, this document provides flexible driveshaft devices that have bi-directionally balanced torsional stiffness properties. In some embodiments, the flexible driveshaft devices provided herein are utilized in medical device systems, such as endoluminal medical device systems. For example, in some embodiments the flexible driveshaft devices provided herein are utilized in endoluminal ultrasonic catheter systems. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276075 | Floating Transducer Drive, System Employing the Same and Method of Operating - A floating transducer drive configured to isolate relatively low voltage system electronics from a relatively high voltage transmit circuit in an ultrasound imaging system. A receive circuit is electrically connected to an isolated local ground. An isolation circuit is electrically connected between the receive circuit and a relatively low-voltage processing circuit. The isolation circuit is configured such that during a transmit event during which the relatively high voltage transmit circuit sends a relatively high voltage signal to a transducer, the isolated local ground is electrically connected to the transmit circuit, but when the transmit event is not occurring, the isolated local ground is electrically connected to a system ground. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276076 | INTERNAL ULTRASOUND ASSEMBLY FLUID SEAL - There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, particularly a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a linear motor, a shaft or filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276077 | ATTACHABLE ADAPTOR WITH CAVITY FOR ULTRASOUND DEVICE - Embodiments associated with adaptors for ultrasound devices are described. In one embodiment, an adaptor includes a housing configured to attach to a head of the ultrasound device. The adaptor includes a cavity formed by the housing that is configured to receive and contain an ultrasound conductive medium that is preconfigured into a solidified form. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276078 | ELECTRODE CONTACT FEEDBACK SYSTEM - A sensing assembly for sensing contact with an object is disclosed. The contact sensing assembly may comprise an elongate tubular body. An electrode may be connected to the elongate tubular body. A vibration element is operatively connected with the electrode and configured to deliver a vibration-inducing signal to induce vibration of the electrode. A sensor is configured to monitor the electrode for a perturbation in the induced vibration. The perturbation results from contact between the electrode and the object. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276079 | ULTRASOUND MEDICAL DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING DEVICE - An ultrasound medical device and an ultrasound diagnostic imaging device are provided that allow orally-fed fluid food, etc. to pass through the esophagus of the subject. The ultrasound medical device of the embodiment comprises a capsule-type main body configured to incorporate ultrasound transducers, so that the ultrasound transducers in the capsule-type main body, which has been inserted in a tubular body part of a subject, send ultrasound waves to the subject's interiors and receive reflected waves. The ultrasound medical device further comprises a support configured to be incorporated in the capsule-type main body and to have a form of tube with a through-hole axially passing through the tube, and the ultrasound transducers are arranged external to the tube. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276080 | ULTRASONIC SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - The ultrasonic sensor includes, on the same substrate, transmitter elements, receiver elements, a potential controller for receiver electrodes of the receiver elements, and a connection switching unit for the receiver electrodes and the potential controller. During the ultrasound transmission period of the transmitter elements, the connection switching unit connects the potential controller and one of the receiver electrodes, and connects the receiver electrodes. During the reception period of the receiver elements, the connection switching unit disconnects the potential controller and the one of the receiver electrodes, and disconnects the receiver electrodes. | 09-18-2014 |
20140288430 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An ultrasound probe includes a stack including a connecting conductor having conductive patterns and a piezoelectric plate disposed on the connecting conductor. The stack has first dividing slits at predetermined intervals. The first dividing slits divide the stack into transducers separate from one another and arrayed in the scanning direction. The conductive patterns are electrically connected to the transducers. Each of the transducers has a second dividing slit parallel to the first dividing slits. The second dividing slit divides each of the transducers into subelements. The first dividing slits extend through the connecting conductor. The second dividing slits are shallower than the first dividing slits and have bottoms apart from the connecting conductor. | 09-25-2014 |
20140296715 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICE, PROBE, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic transducer device includes a base, a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a conductive body and an insulating film. The base has a plurality of vibrating film portions arranged in an array pattern. The piezoelectric elements are respectively disposed on the vibrating film portions. The conductive body is disposed on the base, and arranged inside and outside of an area corresponding to each of the vibrating film portions in a plan view as viewed along a thickness direction of the base. The insulating film is disposed on the conductive body only at outside of the area corresponding to each of the vibrating film portions in the plan view. | 10-02-2014 |
20140296716 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICE, PROBE, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic transducer device includes a base, a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film, a second electrode film and a first conductive film. The base has a plurality of vibrating film portions arranged in an array pattern. The first electrode film is disposed on each of the vibrating film portions. The piezoelectric film is disposed on the first electrode film. The second electrode film is disposed on the piezoelectric film. The first conductive film is connected to the first electrode film. The first conductive film has a film thickness larger than a film thickness of the first electrode film. | 10-02-2014 |
20140303501 | PORTABLE ULTRASOUND APPARATUS, PORTABLE ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND DIAGNOSING METHOD USING ULTRASOUND - Provided are a portable ultrasound apparatus, a portable ultrasound system, and an ultrasound diagnosis method performed by using the portable ultrasound apparatus. The portable ultrasound apparatus includes at least two probes having different specifications; a first display unit for displaying an ultrasound image; and a second display unit for displaying a control screen. | 10-09-2014 |
20140323869 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND COMMUNICATION METHOD THEREOF - Provided are an ultrasound probe and a communication method of the ultrasound probe capable of selecting an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and/or a wireless communication method that are most appropriate in an environment in which a plurality of ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses exist. A method of communicating with an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, performed by the ultrasound probe, includes operations of obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; displaying an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses; receiving an input for selecting an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus from the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus list; and wirelessly transmitting ultrasound image data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, wherein the ultrasound image data is generated by the ultrasound probe. | 10-30-2014 |
20140323870 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - The present invention is intended to reduce the consumption of a battery while appropriately performing operation in the case where an AC power source is disconnected and power supply is switched to the battery. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including: an AC adapter connection detecting section ( | 10-30-2014 |
20140323871 | METHOD OF SETTING A WAVEFORM SIGNAL IN AN ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING AN ULTRASONIC WAVEFORM SIGNAL USING SUCH METHOD - A digital representation of a waveform is generated based on signals received during a recording period. The received signals include a digital clock signal providing a determined number of clock pulses during the recording period, a plurality of binary digital signals defining, for each clock pulse of the determined number of clock pulses, a waveform state associated with the clock pulse. A digital representation of the waveform is generated and storing. The waveform has a duration based on the recording period and a profile based on the defined waveform states associated with the clock pulses of the determined number of clock pulses. | 10-30-2014 |
20140323872 | SCAN CONVERTER AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD CAPABLE OF REAL-TIME INTERPOLATION WITHOUT DIRECTIONAL DISTORTION - The present disclosure in one or more embodiments provides a scan converter, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and a method capable of performing real-time interpolation without directional distortion. An embodiment of the present disclosure prevents directional distortion of velocity data by performing vector interpolation by using a weight according to distances of four adjacent complex signals in color flow-mode (C-mode) and achieves real-time scan conversion by constructing a lookup table for vector interpolation. | 10-30-2014 |
20140343432 | OCULAR ULTRASOUND PROBE - Devices, systems and methods for ocular ultrasound are provided having therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. In one aspect, an ocular probe is disclosed that is uniquely configured for use in the eye on the basis of shape and frequency. The ocular probe may be multi-functional, providing sensor, optical or other functionality in additional to ultrasound energy. | 11-20-2014 |
20140350406 | Dynamic Operation for Subarrays in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging - Dynamic operation is provided in sub-array ultrasound imaging. Rather than using fixed or Euclidian distance relative timing, an approximation determines the relative timing. The dynamic timing relationship is approximated with log(x), arctan(x), or 1/x relationships. Adders, registers, counters, comparators, or other simple circuitry is used to calculate the timing relationship. For example, a portion of the circuit featuring a digital comparator and counter produces a reciprocal relationship. | 11-27-2014 |
20140350407 | HIGH FREQUENCY ULTRASOUND PROBE - A high frequency ultrasound probe includes a substrate having a number of transducer elements on it and a ground plane that is electrically coupled by one or more vias to a conductive frame that supports the substrate. The conductive frame is electrically coupled to a ground plane of a printed circuit having conductors that are coupled to the transducer elements. | 11-27-2014 |
20140358007 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING MEDICAL DEVICE - Placement of a medical device within or in proximity to a substantially fluid filled compartment within a human body is aided by pulse-echo ultrasound and a time-stretching technique. In one embodiment, a small ultrasound transducer is placed near the tip of a catheter intended to be positioned within a ventricle of the brain to drain cerebrospinal fluid. The transducer is electrically pulsed so as to emit sound waves, and then used to receive returning echoes which contain information about structures in front of the transducer. These returning echoes are electronically amplified and processed in such a way that the information represented by the echoes is spread out over a much longer period than the actual acquisition time. This processed information may be presented to an operator visually, via audio feedback and/or via tactile feedback. Embodiments are disclosed where the information is displayed visually through variations in the color or brightness of a light source over time. Further embodiments are disclosed where the information is conveyed through audio that is modulated in amplitude, frequency, or both. Further embodiments are disclosed where the information is conveyed through tactile feedback that is modulated in intensity or duration. Further embodiments are disclosed which combine audio, visual, and/or tactile feedback. Further embodiments incorporate a digital or graphical display to provide quantitative information. | 12-04-2014 |
20140364741 | PORTABLE ULTRASONIC PROBE - Provided is a portable ultrasonic probe including a main body comprising a transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic wave, and a folder part comprising a display and rotatably coupled to an end portion of the main body, wherein the main body further comprises an analog to digital (AD) converter and a beamformer, the AD converter and the beamformer being provided in a chip. | 12-11-2014 |
20140364742 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic probe capable of emitting heat generated by a transducer outside the ultrasonic probe using a heat radiation plate. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic wave, a heat spreader provided on a surface of the transducer, the heat spreader being configured to absorb heat generated by the transducer, at least one heat radiation plate which contacts at least one side of the heat spreader, and at least one board installed on the at least one heat radiation plate so as to transfer heat generated by the at least one board to the at least one heat radiation plate. | 12-11-2014 |
20140371596 | ULTRASOUND MEDICAL APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - Ultrasound medical apparatus and ultrasound diagnosis apparatus are provided capable of indwelling in the observation object at a desired position of the inner cavity of the subject. | 12-18-2014 |
20150011888 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - A groove portion depressed from an unit outer surface toward a first perpendicular direction extends over an entire length of a transmission unit in axially parallel directions, and in the transmission unit, a sectional of a first unit component perpendicular to a longitudinal axis is a first sectional shape and a sectional shape of a second unit component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is a second sectional shape smaller in sectional area than the first sectional shape. The sectional area changing portion changes from the first sectional shape to the second sectional shape so that a gravity center position in a case where the longitudinal axis is a reference position is consistent over the entire length of the transmission unit in the axially parallel directions. | 01-08-2015 |
20150011889 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An ultrasonic probe manufactured using graphene or graphite, and a manufacturing method thereof, the ultrasonic probe including a matching layer, a transducer layer provided at a rear surface of the matching layer, and a backing layer provided at a rear surface of the transducer layer, wherein the ultrasonic probe further includes at least one sheet that is formed of graphene and provided on at least one of a front surface of the matching layer, in between the matching layer and the transducer layer, in between the transducer layer and the backing layer, a rear surface of the backing layer, and lateral sides of the matching layer, the transducer layer and the backing layer. | 01-08-2015 |
20150011890 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT USING SAME - Provided are: an ultrasound probe with excellent characteristic stability; and ultrasound equipment that uses the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe has an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving element provided with a substrate, an insulating film formed on the substrate, a cavity formed between the substrate and the insulating film, and a pair of electrodes disposed parallel to the substrate so as to sandwich the cavity. The ultrasound probe is characterized in that the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving element has a beam part with a multilayer structure formed by laminating films made of materials different in stress, the beam part being disposed on the electrode distant from the substrate out of the pair of electrodes, and the beam part is formed by laminating a film that applies tensile stress and a film that applies compressive stress. | 01-08-2015 |
20150018685 | ACTUATOR FOR MOVING AN ULTRASOUND PROBE - An actuator for an ultrasound probe comprises a housing assembly configured to accommodate an ultrasound probe and to be positioned adjacent to a target region of interest to be examined, and a motor assembly coupled to the housing assembly, the motor assembly configured to move the housing assembly in a manner to allow an ultrasound probe when accommodated by the housing assembly to perform a compound scan of the target region of interest. | 01-15-2015 |
20150018686 | Coupling an Ultrasound Probe to the Skin - A tape for securing an ultrasound probe to the skin may include a sonolucent silicone gel for transmitting ultrasound from an ultrasound transducer to the body. A method of manufacturing an adhesive silicone product may include a step of treating the adhesive composition or components of the composition to remove air or prevent the formation of air bubbles, in order to provide a sonolucent adhesive product. | 01-15-2015 |
20150018687 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND CONNECTION METHOD FOR SIGNAL LINES - An ultrasound probe includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in an array, a plurality of drawn-out signal lines drawn out from the plurality of piezoelectric elements, and a print board on which a plurality of connection conductors are formed for connecting between a plurality of communication cables connected to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body and the plurality of drawn-out signal lines, respectively, connection-conductor insulation layers being formed on the printed board so as to cover respective outer peripheries of the plurality of connection conductors, and a connection-conductor ground conductive layer being formed on the printed board so as to cover individual outer peripheries of the connection-conductor insulation layers, whereby the plurality of connection conductors are shielded from one another. | 01-15-2015 |
20150018688 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - The ultrasound probe includes ultrasound transducers arranged in an array; transmission paths of the reception signals; impedance matching elements connected to the ultrasound transducers, respectively, each being disposed in each of the transmission paths of the reception signals, and each having a respective preset matching frequency. The impedance matching elements have a distribution in which a matching frequency of an impedance matching element becomes higher as an arrangement position of an ultrasound transducer corresponding to the impedance matching element in the array of the ultrasound transducers becomes closer to a center of the array, in order to reduce an influence of transmission/reception angles of ultrasonic waves due to the arrangement position of the corresponding ultrasound transducer in the array. | 01-15-2015 |
20150018689 | PERIPHERAL ULTRASOUND DEVICE - Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for acquiring circulatory system information from one or more patients. In one implementation, a device for acquiring ultrasound-generated data includes a housing, an imaging mechanism, and an adjustment mechanism. The housing has an interfacing surface with an opening, and the imaging mechanism is positioned in the opening. The imaging mechanism is rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the interfacing surface and pivotal about an axis generally orthogonal to the interfacing surface. The adjustment mechanism is positioned within the housing and associated with the imaging mechanism to cause the imaging mechanism to rotate in the plane or pivot about the axis. The adjustment mechanism comprises an orientation adjuster having an orientation actuator and a direction adjuster having a direction actuator. | 01-15-2015 |
20150025389 | ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND TRANSDUCER ASSEMBLIES - An ultrasound system is disclosed. The ultrasound system includes an ultrasound device. The ultrasound device includes a housing, a control panel coupled to the housing, and a receiver assembly coupled to the housing, wherein the receiver assembly includes a first contact surface. The ultrasound system further includes a transducer assembly having an ultrasound probe and a cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a second contact surface. The cartridge is configured to be removably received in a slot of the receiver assembly such that the cartridge is movable between a removed position, in which the transducer assembly is not connected to the ultrasound device, and an engaged position, in which the cartridge is positioned in the slot and the first contact surface is electrically coupled to the second contact surface. | 01-22-2015 |
20150032006 | MONITORING DEVICE - A wearable device monitoring body conditions is disclosed. The device consists of a single or plurality transducers, particularly, ultrasonic transducers, and electronic circuitry which are packaged in a low profile patch. The electronics controls a transducer or transducers for signal transmission and receiving, data processing and wire or wireless interfacing to external devices. Laying out the electronics on a flexible printed circuit which mounted along with the transducers to a bendable material, easily adaptable to the curvature of a surface enables attaching the device to curved bodies, such as a human body, for purpose of health conditions monitoring. Low profile of the devices makes it possible to be worn a round-the-clock without causing much inconvenience for a patient. Depending on the application, the transducers can be configured as fixed or movable, providing appropriate monitoring results. | 01-29-2015 |
20150038848 | PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT - A probe for ultrasonic diagnostic equipment includes a cable, a cable outer periphery holder, and a depressed cone shape component. The cable outer periphery holder includes a deformable convex cone shape portion and a supporting surface that holds an outer peripheral of the cable. The depressed cone shape component has a depressed cone shape portion and fits the convex cone shape portion. The cable outer periphery holder has a water proof structure configured to prevent invasion of liquid from a gap formed between the outer periphery of the cable and the supporting surface. The water proof structure is configured to have the convex cone shape portion and the depressed cone shape component to fit so as to deform the convex cone shape portion. The deformation forms a reduced diameter portion to eliminate the gap, the reduced diameter portion having a diameter. | 02-05-2015 |
20150045670 | ULTRASONIC MATRIX ARRAY PROBE WITH THERMALLY DISSIPATING CABLE - A matrix array probe including a transducer array and integrated circuitry coupled to the transducer elements dissipates heat generated by the array and integrated circuitry through the cover of the transducer probe. A pump in the probe connector pumps fluid through a closed loop system including inbound an outbound fluid conduits in the cable. The fluid conduits in the cable are separated by the cable electrical conductors for the probe. The heat transfer in the probe is done by a heat exchanger in the probe spaceframe or transducer stack backing block and may use a Peltier device. Additional cooling may be provided by metal to metal contact with a chiller in the ultrasound system. | 02-12-2015 |
20150045671 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe includes a laminated body having: a piezoelectric body having a thickness in a first direction; a first electrode and a second electrode that face each other so as to sandwich the piezoelectric body in the first direction; an intermediate layer that is electrically connected with the second electrode and that is provided on an opposite side to the piezoelectric body with respect to the second electrode; and a third electrode that extends in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. A plurality of the first electrodes and second electrodes are arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction. A plurality of the laminated bodies are arranged in a third direction. A first groove that penetrates through the first electrode, the piezoelectric body, and the second electrode and a part of the intermediate layer is formed in the laminated body. | 02-12-2015 |
20150045672 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a main body, at least one input/output unit coupled to one side of the main body to input data to the main body or to output data transmitted from the main body, and a connection unit to connect the input/output unit and the main body to each other. The connection unit includes plural first connection members, each of which is connected at one end thereof to the main body and at the other end thereof to at least a portion of the input/output unit and has a variable length to move the input/output unit relative to the main body, and at least one second connection member coupled to the first connection members and at least one of the main body or the input/output unit so as to come into contact with the same at a point to support load of the input/output unit. | 02-12-2015 |
20150045673 | PROBE CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS - Disclosed are a probe control method and apparatus and an ultrasound system which apply a mounting signal used to sense a mounting status of a probe, detect the mounting signal transferred through a cable, and automatically activate/deactivate the probe according to a change in a sensed mounting status. | 02-12-2015 |
20150045674 | ULTRASONIC HANDPIECE - An ultrasonic handpiece is used for augmenting a bone screw. The handpieces comprise a housing, an ultrasonic converter shiftingly accommodated in the housing, and a sonotrode connected to one end of the ultrasonic converter. The sonotrode protrudes from the housing into the bone screw. An adjuster wheel is adjustably connected to the housing. A spring is provided the ends of which are supported by the ultrasonic converter and the adjuster wheel, respectively. The ultrasonic converter is preloaded in the direction away from the adjuster wheel by setting the adjuster wheel, thereby the sonotrode is urged with a selected force into the bone screw and the augmentation material is pressed out of the bone screw and into the bone. | 02-12-2015 |
20150051492 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe configured to be connected to an apparatus main body of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is configured to perform an ultrasonic procedure on a subject is provided. The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to the subject and receive an ultrasonic echo reflected from the subject, an inductor connected in parallel with the transducer, and a current limiter connected to the inductor and configured to limit a current flowing through the inductor to a predetermined current level or lower. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051493 | ACOUSTIC PROBE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Provided are an acoustic probe and a method of manufacturing the acoustic probe including a chip module substrate, a piezoelectric unit for cross-converting ultrasound and an electric signal while the piezoelectric unit is vibrating, and a connection unit for supporting the piezoelectric unit and electrically connecting the piezoelectric unit and the chip module substrate. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051494 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which includes a probe including a transducer installed to be rotatable, a driving device configured to rotate the transducer, at least one wire configured to transmit power of the driving device to the transducer, a handle case configured to accommodate the driving device therein, a cap coupled to the handle case to accommodate the transducer therein, and filled with oil, and a diaphragm formed of a deformable material and disposed between the cap and the handle case, wherein the wire is installed to pass through the diaphragm, and fixed to the diaphragm so that the diaphragm is deformed according to movement of the wire. Since the wire is fixedly installed to pass through the diaphragm and deformed according movement of the wire, oil in the cap is prevented from leaking to the handle case. | 02-19-2015 |
20150057546 | METHOD OF GENERATING BODY MARKER AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A body marker generation method and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus using the same are provided. The body marker generation method includes capturing an image of a subject by using a three-dimensional (3D) infrared sensor; acquiring position information indicating a position of a probe with respect to the subject; determining a diagnostic part of the subject based on the position information, the diagnostic part being a target object to which the probe transmits an ultrasonic signal; and displaying a body marker for the diagnostic part. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057547 | CAPACITIVE TRANSDUCER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A method for manufacturing a capacitive transducer is provided having a structure in which a vibrating film is supported to be able to vibrate. The method includes forming a sacrificial layer on a first electrode; forming a layer on the sacrificial layer, the layer forming at least part of the vibrating film; removing the sacrificial layer, including forming etching holes to communicate with the sacrificial layer; forming a sealing layer for sealing the etching holes; and etching at least part of the sealing layer. Before forming the sealing layer, an etching stop layer is formed on the layer forming at least part of the vibrating film. In the step of etching at least part of the sealing layer, the sealing layer is removed until the etching stop layer is reached. | 02-26-2015 |
20150065883 | PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - Disclosed is a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with an improved heat-radiation structure using graphene. The probe includes a case to form an exterior appearance, a piezoelectric layer provided in the case to generate ultrasonic waves, a backing layer provided at the rear of the piezoelectric layer to prevent the ultrasonic waves from being transmitted backward from the piezoelectric layer, and a heat-radiation unit to radiate heat transmitted from the piezoelectric layer to the outside the case. The heat-radiation unit includes graphene. By attaching graphene having a high thermal conductivity to a heat source of the probe, a surface temperature of the heat source is reduced. | 03-05-2015 |
20150065884 | ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPIC PROBE - Provided is an ultrasonic endoscopic probe capable of obtaining an ultrasonic observation image having high spatial resolution. A part of a substantially tubular catheter is sealed with seal plates to provide a cavity housing: a motor including a motor casing, a rotor magnet, a bearing, and a rotating shaft; an ultrasonic transducer mounted to the rotating shaft; and a signal transmission means. The bearing includes an inner peripheral surface provided with a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves. An acoustic coupling fluid is sealed in the cavity and is allowed to penetrate a gap between the bearing and the rotating shaft at all times. When the ultrasonic transducer and the motor are rotated in the acoustic coupling fluid, the acoustic coupling fluid is suctioned in a preferable manner into the bearing gap having the dynamic pressure generating grooves for lubrication. Thus, a lack of an oil film on the bearing can be prevented, allowing for high accuracy rotation. Operational failure due to the development of foam in the acoustic coupling fluid can be prevented, enabling the acquisition of a high resolution ultrasonic observation image. | 03-05-2015 |
20150065885 | ULTRASONIC SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An ultrasonic signal processing method includes: acquiring pieces of element data output from each element included in an ultrasonic probe including multiple elements configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receive an ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject and output an ultrasonic detection signal; determining element data to be preserved, according to depth information on a reception echo at an acquisition time of the element data, among the pieces of element data of each of the acquired elements; and preserving the element data determined to be preserved. | 03-05-2015 |
20150087988 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ARRAYS - An ultrasound transducer array for an ultrasound probe is presented. The ultrasound transducer array includes a support structure. Further, the ultrasound transducer array includes a plurality of electro-acoustic modules coupled to the support structure, wherein each of the plurality of electro-acoustic modules comprises at least one matrix acoustic array and an interconnect element, wherein each of the plurality of electro-acoustic modules is interchangeable on the support structure so as to adapt to one or more shapes of the ultrasound probe, and wherein each of the plurality of electro-acoustic modules operates in a manner substantially identical to each other of the plurality of electro-acoustic modules. | 03-26-2015 |
20150087989 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND SCANNING SYSTEM - An ultrasound probe includes a casing, an ultrasound scanner and a passage. The ultrasound scanner is disposed in the casing. The passage is disposed on the casing and used for transporting an ultrasound conductive medium. | 03-26-2015 |
20150087990 | SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCH CIRCUIT, SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A semiconductor switch circuit comprises: a first switch pair including two MOSFETs having gates connected one another and sources connected to one another, and a zener diode reversely connected between the gates and sources of the MOSFETs; a second switch pair including two MOSFETs having gates connected one another and sources connected to one another, and a zener diode reversely connected between the gates and sources of the MOSFETs; and a third switch pair comprising two MOSFETs having gates connected to one another and sources connected to one another. The first switch pair and the second switch pair are connected in series between two input/output terminals through a connecting node. The third switch pair is connected to the connecting node between the first switch pair and the second switch pair. | 03-26-2015 |
20150087991 | APPLICATION SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH COLUMN-ROW-PARALLEL ARCHITECTURE FOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING - An ultrasonic imaging system is described in which a column-row-parallel architecture is provided at the circuit level of an ultrasonic transceiver. The ultrasonic imaging system can include a N×M array of transducer elements and a plurality of transceiver circuits where each transceiver circuit is connected to a corresponding one transducer element of the N×M array of transducer elements. A shared pulser gate driver and a shared VGA is provided for each row and column. Selection logic includes row select, column select, and per-element bit select. Through the column-row-parallel architecture, a variety of aperture configurations can be achieved. | 03-26-2015 |
20150099978 | ULTRASONIC MATRIX ARRAY PROBE WITH THERMALLY DISSIPATING CABLE AND BACKING BLOCK HEAT EXCHANGE - A matrix array probe including a transducer array and integrated circuitry coupled to the transducer elements dissipates heat generated by the array and integrated circuitry through the cover of the transducer probe. A pump in the probe connector pumps fluid through a closed loop system including inbound an outbound fluid conduits in the cable. The fluid conduits in the cable are separated by the cable electrical conductors for the probe. The heat transfer in the probe is done by a heat exchanger in the transducer backing block. Additional cooling may be provided by metal to metal contact with a chiller in the ultrasound system. | 04-09-2015 |
20150112199 | BIOLOGICAL TESTING DEVICE - An ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic transducer, a liquid filled section filled with a liquid, a contact section, and a flexible section. The contact section includes a deformable resin material, is positioned outside the ultrasonic transducer, and forms a portion of the liquid filled section. The flexible section includes the deformable resin material and forms a portion of the liquid filled section. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through the contact section. | 04-23-2015 |
20150119718 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - Provided are an ultrasonic probe that controls temperature of a piezoelectric layer using a thermoelectric element and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus having the same. The ultrasonic probe includes: the piezoelectric layer that vibrates and generates ultrasonic waves if a current is supplied to the piezoelectric layer; and a thermoelectric element that contacts one surface of the piezoelectric layer and controls the temperature of the piezoelectric layer if a current is supplied to the thermoelectric element. | 04-30-2015 |
20150126871 | SUPPORT APPARATUS OF ULTRASOUND PROBE, HANDSFREE ULTRASOUND PROBE INCLUDING THE SUPPORT APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SUPPORT APPARATUS - A support apparatus of an ultrasound probe, a handsfree ultrasound probe including the support apparatus, and a method of operating the support apparatus. The support apparatus includes: a housing including an accommodation unit capable of accommodating an ultrasound probe and an adhesion unit capable of contacting a target object; and a first control unit for controlling an adhesive force with respect to the target object of the adhesion unit according to whether a user touches at least one of the ultrasound probe and the housing. | 05-07-2015 |
20150141834 | PIEZOELECTRIC COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT/NON-LEAD PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, ULTRASONIC PROBE AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING DEVICE - The present invention is a piezoelectric composition and a piezoelectric element using the piezoelectric composition, the composition being characterized by: having a Perovskite structure represented by general formula ABO3; being represented by composition formula x(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-yBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3-zBiFeO3, x+y+z=1 in the composition formula above; and in a triangular coordinate using x, y and z in the composition formula above, having a composition represented by a region which is surrounded by a pentagon ABCDE with apexes of point A (1, 0, 0), point B (0.7, 0.3, 0), point C (0.1, 0.3, 0.6), point D (0.1, 0.1, 0.8) and point E (0.2, 0, 0.8) and which does not include the line segment AE that connects point A (1, 0, 0) and point E (0.2, 0, 0.8). | 05-21-2015 |
20150141835 | PORTABLE ULTRASOUND IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A portable ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus is shown. The apparatus includes an ultrasound probe and a hinge. The ultrasound probe transmits and receives ultrasound. The hinge connects a first housing and a lower edge portion of a second housing including a display panel so that the second housing is overlapped on the first housing to fold the portable ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus. The hinge is provided on an upper face of the first housing in a near side than a center. The second housing is rotated to a far side of the first housing with a horizontal axis of the hinge as a supporting axis to fold the portable ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus. | 05-21-2015 |
20150148680 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - The disclosed technology relates to ultrasound probes, and the purpose of the technology is to prevent a housing and housing members from cracking and to ensure safety. According to this technology, in an ultrasound probe ( | 05-28-2015 |
20150289838 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REAL-TIME ASSESSMENT OF THE PRESENCE AND QUANTITY OF CAROTID BLOOD FLOW DURING CARDIAC ARREST - The present technology relates generally to blood flow measuring systems and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, a system for measuring blood flow during a cardiac arrest configured in accordance with the technology comprises an interface element configured to be removably attached to a patient's skin at a target site proximate to a carotid artery of the patient, a hand-held ultrasound transducer configured to be positioned in contact with the interface element at the target site, and a controller operably coupled to the ultrasound transducer and configured to determine a blood flow velocity of the patient based on received ultrasound data. In some embodiments, the adhesive member can include one or more reference indicia corresponding to anatomical landmarks associated with a desired position of the ultrasound transducer relative to the carotid artery. | 10-15-2015 |
20150289843 | UNIMORPH-TYPE ULTRASOUND PROBE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A unimorph-type ultrasound probe includes a substrate in which a plurality of openings each having a predetermined shape is formed, a plurality of vibration plates formed on the substrate so as to close one end of each of the plurality of openings, a plurality of piezoelectric element portions which is formed on a surface of the plurality of vibration plates and each has a piezoelectric substance layer and a pair of electrode layers formed on both surfaces of the piezoelectric substance layer, and a covering layer which is disposed on a surface of the substrate such that the plurality of piezoelectric element portions is embedded in the covering layer, and is formed of an organic resin having an acoustic impedance of 1.5×10 | 10-15-2015 |
20150289850 | Heat Dissipation Assemblies - A coupling for interfacing a heat source to a heat sink for dissipating heat from the heat source includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines a surface that defines a plurality of spaced apart voids that extend into the first portion. The second portion has an outside surface that complements the surface of the first portion. The second portion is capable of repeated mate and de-mate cycles from the first portion. A gel is disposed on the interior surface of the cavity. In operation, insertion of the second portion within the cavity causes a portion of the gel to displace into openings at first ends of the voids. The gel returns to an original shape when the second portion is removed from the cavity. | 10-15-2015 |
20150289852 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic probe configured to release heat generated by a transducer to an exterior of the ultrasonic probe via a heat pipe and a radiator. The ultrasonic probe includes a housing; a transducer configured to generate ultrasonic waves while disposed in an interior of the housing; a heat pipe configured to transfer the heat generated by the transducer; a radiator connected to the heat pipe and configured to release the heat, which is transferred via the heat pipe, to the exterior of the housing; and a partition wall configured to separate an inside space within the housing. | 10-15-2015 |
20150297181 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe includes a transducer which generates ultrasound waves; an acoustic lens which focuses the ultrasound waves; a lens coating layer formed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the acoustic lens by mixing polymer particles with nanoparticles; and a housing which accommodates the transducer. | 10-22-2015 |
20150297183 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER PROBE WITH MICROBEAMFORMER FOR MULTILINE IMAGING - An array transducer probe has transducer elements arranged in adjacent patches ( | 10-22-2015 |
20150297193 | Ultrasonic Imaging Compression Methods and Apparatus - To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and an output data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as a digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. The on-chip digitization of received signals also enables the on-chip integration of ultrasound processing and/or pre-processing to reduce the burden on off-chip computing. Data compression architectures are disclosed to facilitate the transfer of data off-chip as a digital data stream in accordance with the bandwidth requirements of standard commercially-available output interfaces. | 10-22-2015 |
20150305709 | CONDUCTIVE MEDIUM PAD FOR ULTRASOUND PROBE - The present disclosure discusses conductive pads that are disposable, shape-stable lubricious hydrogel couplants that can be used in place of liquid gel couplants the field of ultrasound. The conductive pad can include dual-surface acoustic hydrogel couplants that have one adhesive surface to provide a position-stable coupling to a transducer or other contact surface and a second surface that is lubricious, enabling it to slide across the surface of a test subject. The lubricious surface of the hydrogel enables low friction repositioning of the transducer. The conductive pad can also include a plurality of layers, each of which can include different properties. | 10-29-2015 |
20150305713 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An ultrasonic probe includes a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) array configured to generate ultrasonic waves, an integrated circuit to which the cMUT array is bonded, and a flexible printed circuit board having one end connected to the integrated circuit to output signals to the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including pads provided on the integrated circuit and an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) provided on the pads, and the one end of the flexible printed circuit board being connected to the ACF to thereby connect the flexible printed circuit board to the integrated circuit. | 10-29-2015 |
20150308610 | LOCK DEVICES AND SUPPORT ARMS THEREOF AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS USING THE SAME - A lock device is disclosed, which includes: a holder which is provided with a through hole running through the holder and a slide intersecting with the through hole; a guide bar, which is provided with an outer threaded area on at least a portion of a surface and passes through the through hole, and the outer threaded area is located where the through hole intersects with the slide; a lock component received in the slide, and the end of the lock component facing toward the guide bar is provided with a lock threaded area which can engage with the outer threaded area of the guide bar; and a drive assembly which drives a lock assembly to move toward or away from the guide bar in the slide. The guide bar is locked when threads on the lock threaded area engage with outer threads on the outer threaded area. | 10-29-2015 |
20150313574 | PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes including backing members, a first connector bonded between the backing members and including electrodes spaced from each other in an arrangement direction, a ground connector bonded between the backing members to be spaced from the first connector, and a piezoelectric member electrically connected to the electrodes and the ground connector. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed. The piezoelectric member is joined to the first connector and the ground connector or to first and second connectors and the ground connector via first and second electrode layers instead of using a complicated and laborious soldering operation, thereby enabling easy connection between the piezoelectric member and the connectors while preventing deterioration in performance caused by defective connection therebetween and deterioration in performance of the piezoelectric member caused by heat during manufacture. | 11-05-2015 |
20150313578 | Multi-user wireless ulttrasound server - Multiple users are supported with an ultrasound server. Tiling of images may be used to limit transmission and/or bandwidth. By transmitting parts of images that change and avoiding transmission of other parts, wireless and processing bandwidth may be optimized. On the server side, separate instances are used for scanning each patient or for each of the multiple transducer probes being used. Dynamic assignment of shared resources based on use of the transducer probes may provide further optimization. From an overall perspective, the server may beamform from data received by a transducer probe based on controls routed from a separate tablet used as a display and user input. | 11-05-2015 |
20150320387 | MEDICAL ACOUSTIC COUPLER - According to one embodiment, a medical acoustic coupler detachably is provided on an ultrasonic wave radiation surface of an ultrasonic probe. The medical acoustic coupler includes an elastic body. The elastic body has an adhesive force. The elastic body adheres to the ultrasonic wave radiation surface with the adhesive force. The elastic body includes a middle portion, end portions, and groove portions. The middle portion has a size corresponding to the ultrasonic wave radiation surface. The end portions adheres to two opposite side surfaces of the ultrasonic probe. The groove portions are provided between each of the end portions and the middle portion. The groove portions are thinner than the middle portion and the end portions. | 11-12-2015 |
20150320389 | APPARATUS CAPABLE OF CONNECTING CONNECTOR OF ULTRASONIC PROBE - An apparatus capable of connecting a connector of ultrasonic probe includes a connected part, a wall part and a vent hole. The connected part is provided in a housing and is configured to be capable of connecting a connector of ultrasonic probe. The wall part is provided in a location to surround side faces of the connector in a state of being connected to the connected part. The vent hole is provided between the connected part and the wall part so as to pass through from outside to inside of the housing. | 11-12-2015 |
20150320390 | ASSEMBLY FABRICATION AND MODIFICATION OF ELASTICITY IN MATERIALS - A fabricator resource receives an assembly including a first portion of material and a second portion of material. Initially, the first portion of material in the assembly may have a different modulus of elasticity than the second portion of material. The fabricator resource exposes the assembly to one or more heating/cooling cycles. Exposure of the assembly to the one or more heating/cooling cycles modifies a modulus of elasticity of the first portion of material and a modulus of elasticity of the second portion of material to desired target values (such as substantially same or different values). | 11-12-2015 |
20150320393 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - The ultrasonic probe includes a transducer array that generates ultrasonic waves, a backing layer that is provided on a rear surface of the transducer array, a pulsating heat pipe that absorbs heat generated in the transducer array, and a heat radiation unit that receives the heat from the pulsating heat pipe to emit the received heat to the outside. | 11-12-2015 |
20150323657 | PRODUCTION METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS DEVICE - Both controlling damage when assembling an ultrasonic probe using a chip formed with a capacitive ultrasonic transducer and securing operational reliability are achieved. In a semiconductor substrate on which the capacitive ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) is formed on a first primary surface, a protective film is formed on the surface of the ultrasonic transducer which is formed on the first primary surface of the semiconductor substrate which is then thinned by polishing a second primary surface opposite to the first primary surface of the semiconductor substrate, an ultrasonic transducer chip is cutout of the semiconductor substrate, a sound absorbing material is provided on the surface opposite to the surface formed with the ultrasonic transducer, and the protective film formed on the surface of the ultrasonic transducer is removed. | 11-12-2015 |
20150351727 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COOLING ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS - Systems and methods of transmitting heat away from an ultrasound probe are disclosed within. In one embodiment, a handheld ultrasound probe includes a transducer, electronics configured to drive the transducer, and a housing surrounding the transducer assembly and the electronics. A slot extending from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing and can allow air to pass adjacent transducer and the electronics. The slot can be sized to inhibit accessibility of an operator's finger to an inner surface of slot. | 12-10-2015 |
20150352318 | ULTRASOUND ASSISTED CATHETER PLACEMENT SYSTEM - A deep vein intravenous introducer has a wheel located toward the front end of the device that can be rotated by the index finger of the user. After placement of the needle in the lumen of the vessel, the user rotates the wheel, which advances the wire guide through the center of the needle and into the patient. Once the guide wire is advanced into the vessel lumen the catheter can be advanced over the guide wire with a hub or finger tab on the catheter close to the index finger. The operation can be performed by one hand without moving the hand from its initial position. The user can then simultaneously use the other hand to operate an ultrasound detection device during insertion without the assistance of another person. A catheter is provided that can be visualized by ultrasound to enable confirmation of correct placement in a vessel. A probe cover is provided that is pre-sterilized and packaged in a cardboard with the top sides of the cover folded down over the cardboard. The cover is placed over the probe end, the sides of the cover are folded up, and the cardboard is removed. The sterile probe cover can be quickly and efficiently placed over the ultrasound's transducer end. Finally, a kit is provided that contains all of the medical devices needed to perform cannulation. | 12-10-2015 |
20150359514 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasonic transducer includes a support body, a first piezoelectric layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a second piezoelectric layer. The support body has an opening section and a displacement section covering the opening section on one side of the support body. The first piezoelectric layer is disposed inside of the displacement section when viewed in a plan view along a thickness direction of the support body. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer contact with the first piezoelectric layer. The second piezoelectric layer is disposed over the first conductive layer, apart from the first piezoelectric layer when viewed in the plan view. The second conductive layer is disposed over the second piezoelectric layer and intersects the first conductive layer when viewed in the plan view. | 12-17-2015 |
20150366539 | CAPACITIVE MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - In a method for producing a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer having a cell of a structure having a first electrode and a vibration membrane containing a second electrode provided with a cavity interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first sacrificial layer is formed on the first electrode. A second sacrificial layer is formed on a portion corresponding to a part of a cavity is formed on the first sacrificial layer, and then an insulating layer configuring a part of the vibration membrane is formed on the second sacrificial layer. The second sacrificial layer is removed by etching through an opening formed in the insulating layer, and then a part of the first sacrificial layer is removed. | 12-24-2015 |
20150374336 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed herein is an ultrasound probe including a transducer array configured to generate ultrasonic waves, an integrated circuit disposed on a back surface of the transducer array by using an adhesive member, a printed circuit board connected to the integrated circuit and configured to output a signal to the integrated circuit, and a pad bridge disposed on front surfaces of the printed circuit board and the integrated circuit by using the adhesive member and configured to electrically connect the printed circuit board with the integrated circuit. An area of a region of the ultrasound probe contacting the human body may be reduced without reducing the size of the transducer array, and the integrated circuit and the printed circuit board may be integrally connected by using the adhesive member. | 12-31-2015 |
20160000412 | Integrated System for Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy using Per-Pixel Switches - Ultrasound imaging and therapy with the same array of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers is provided. The electronics includes a per-pixel switch for each transducer element. The switches provide an imaging mode driven completely by on-chip electronics and a therapy mode where off-chip pulsers provide relatively high voltages to the transducer elements. | 01-07-2016 |
20160007957 | MODULAR AND PORTABLE ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS AND METHODS | 01-14-2016 |
20160007961 | ULTRASOUND BACKING MEMBER, ULTRASOUND PROBE INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE ULTRASOUND BACKING MEMBER | 01-14-2016 |
20160007963 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC INSPECTION APPARATUS | 01-14-2016 |
20160007964 | ULTRASONIC PROBE | 01-14-2016 |
20160013782 | DELAY CIRCUIT, ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT USING DELAY CIRCUIT AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICE | 01-14-2016 |
20160022245 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SCANNING MEDIUM - A system for providing scanning medium for scanning a volume of tissue comprising: an inner chamber that contains the scanning medium; a transducer mounted to the inner chamber and configured to move along a motion path, with the inner chamber, in scanning the volume of tissue; an outer chamber concentrically aligned about the inner chamber to guide the inner chamber along the motion path; a piston module defining a base surface within the inner chamber, the piston module comprising a medium inlet and a medium outlet for adjusting an amount of the scanning medium within the inner chamber; a detection subsystem coupled to the base surface of the piston module; and an actuator comprising a stationary portion mounted to the piston module and a moving portion coupled to the inner chamber and configured to produce motion of the inner chamber along the motion path. | 01-28-2016 |
20160038120 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICE, ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, HEAD UNIT, PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate, an ultrasonic element array having a plurality of ultrasonic element rows each including a plurality of ultrasonic elements arranged along a first direction and electrically connected to each other, the plurality of ultrasonic element rows being arranged along a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and a plurality of common electrode wirings each configured to independently supply a common voltage to at least one of the ultrasonic element rows, the common electrode wirings extending along the first direction, one of the common electrode wirings being arranged between a pair of the ultrasonic element rows with respect to the second direction, the common electrode wirings being non-overlapped with the ultrasonic elements as viewed in a thickness direction of the substrate that is a normal direction of a surface of the substrate over which the ultrasonic element array is disposed. | 02-11-2016 |
20160051223 | DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS COMPRISING TRANSDUCER WITH VARIABLE CONFIGURATIONS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Provided are an ultrasonic wave diagnosis apparatus including a transducer with variable configurations and a manufacturing method of the same. According to an example embodiment, an ultrasonic wave diagnosis apparatus includes a first transducer unit including a plurality of transducers and a second transducer unit including a plurality of transducers. The first transducer unit and the second transducer unit may be symmetrically placed about a subject. The first transducer unit and the second transducer unit may be connected to each other in a sliding manner. | 02-25-2016 |
20160051225 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS - An ultrasonic transducer may comprise: a substrate; a barrier wall on the substrate; a diaphragm fixed to the barrier wall and defining a cavity, together with the barrier wall and the substrate; a pair of electrodes, facing each other with the cavity therebetween, configured to receive a driving voltage for driving the diaphragm; and/or a plurality of posts in the cavity and having a height smaller than that of the barrier wall. | 02-25-2016 |
20160051226 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An ultrasonic transducer module may comprise: an ultrasonic transducer comprising a substrate, a thin film separated from the substrate, a support portion for supporting the thin film, and a first electrode pad on the substrate; and/or a circuit board comprising a main body, an opening in the main body for accommodating the thin film, and a second electrode pad attached to the first electrode pad. An ultrasonic transducer may comprise: a substrate; a plurality of first electrode layers on the substrate, with spaces between the first electrode layers; an insulating layer between the substrate and the first electrode layers; a support portion on the first electrode layers; a thin film supported by the support portion, with cavities between each of the first electrode layers and the thin film; and/or a second electrode layer on the thin film. | 02-25-2016 |
20160058415 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT DEVICE - An ultrasonic transducer device | 03-03-2016 |
20160058416 | UNIT ULTRASONIC WAVE PROBE, ULTRASONIC WAVE PROBE MODULE HAVING SAME, AND ULTRASONIC WAVE PROBE DEVICE HAVING SAME - The present invention relates to a unit ultrasonic wave probe, an ultrasonic wave probe module, and an ultrasonic wave probe device. The unit ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes: a rear block part; a flexible substrate part arranged on the top of the rear block part; and a piezoelectric wafer arranged on the top of and electrically connected with the flexible substrate part, the wafer being formed to have a smaller size than the rear block part, so that even if increasing the number of piezoelectric wafers transversely, the number of channels is increased by depositing the unit ultrasonic wave probe including the piezoelectric wafer, thus preventing the cost from geometrically increasing because of the structure of the flexible substrate becoming complex. | 03-03-2016 |
20160066885 | PROBE FOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A probe of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The probe for an ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a piezoelectric unit including a piezoelectric substance and an electrode; a printed circuit board (PCB) unit having a printed circuit board (PCB), configured to be formed at a lateral surface of the piezoelectric unit; a matching layer formed at front surfaces of the piezoelectric unit and the PCB unit; and a backing layer formed at a back surface of the piezoelectric unit and the PCB unit. The probe and a method for manufacturing the probe can reduce a variation of ultrasonic acoustic characteristics caused by a printed circuit board (PCB) because the PCB is not arranged among a piezoelectric substance, a matching layer, and a backing layer. A PCB is provided at a lateral surface of the piezoelectric substance, so that strength against impact can be increased either during channel division based on dicing or during the usage time of a probe. In addition, a single crystal (monocrystal) may be used as a piezoelectric substance or the like, such that a probe having a large bandwidth can be formed, and low-frequency ultrasonic signals and high-frequency ultrasonic signals can be transmitted and received. In addition, the probe and the method for manufacturing the same can easily perform channel division of the acoustic module, and make the divided acoustic module using a curvature, and thus can be applied to various technical fields without being limited to the shapes of probes. | 03-10-2016 |
20160066892 | Cable Assembly for Converting a Consecutive Signaling Arrangement to an Interleaved Signaling Arrangement - A cable assembly includes a first and second group of wires. Wires in the groups are arranged side-by-side. At respective first ends, the wires within the groups are held in place relative to one another so that the wires are separated by a first distance, and at respective second ends, the wires within the groups are held in place relative to one another so that the wires are separated by a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The first group of wires is overlaid on the second group of wires such that at first ends, the wires of the respective groups are consecutively arranged and at second ends, the wires of the respective groups are interleaved with one another. | 03-10-2016 |
20160066893 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed is a method for operating an ultrasound probe which is wirelessly connected to an ultrasound image providing apparatus via a communication channel. The method includes acquiring bandwidth information that relates to the communication channel, determining at least one from among at least one parameter value associated with a quality of an ultrasound image and a transmission speed of a frame that constitutes the ultrasound image, based on the bandwidth information, generating ultrasound image data that relates to an object, based on the at least one parameter value, and transmitting the ultrasound image data to the ultrasound image providing apparatus. The ultrasound image data is used to display the ultrasound image by using the ultrasound image providing apparatus. | 03-10-2016 |
20160074014 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE, ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe; region-of-interest setting means for setting the depth position of a region of interest in a subject; reflection point setting means for setting a plurality of points in a region, which is deeper than the depth position of the region of interest, as reflection points of ultrasound waves transmitted from the ultrasound probe; and sound speed value deriving means for deriving a sound speed value in a region between each of the plurality of reflection points and the ultrasound probe, for each of the plurality of reflection points, based on a reception signal generated when the ultrasound probe receives an ultrasound wave reflected at each of the plurality of reflection points. | 03-17-2016 |
20160074016 | TRANSMIT BEAMFORMING APPARATUS, RECEIVE BEAMFORMING APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC PROBE HAVING THE SAME, AND BEAMFORMING METHOD - A transmit beamforming apparatus, receive beamforming apparatus, ultrasonic probe having the same, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and beamforming method are provided. The transmit beamforming apparatus for transmitting ultrasound beams by using a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements includes a transmit beamformer configured for forming a transmit signal pattern by applying a delay time to a transmit signal that corresponds to at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; and a transmission controller configured for determining a delay frequency to be applied in conjunction with the application of the delay time. | 03-17-2016 |
20160089111 | ULTRASONIC SENSOR AS WELL AS PROBE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic sensor includes a vibration plate, a first electrode, a piezoelectric body, and a second electrode. The first electrode is laminated on the vibration plate, that has a length along a surface of the vibration plate in a first direction, and that has a width Wbe along the surface of the vibration plate in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The width Wbe is not more than the length. The piezoelectric body is laminated on the first electrode and has a width Wpz in the second direction. The second electrode is laminated on the piezoelectric body. A ratio Wbe/Wpz between the width Wbe of the first electrode and the width Wpz of the piezoelectric body is not less than 0.1 and not more than 0.8. | 03-31-2016 |
20160100820 | ULTRASONIC DATA ACQUISITION APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An ultrasonic data acquisition apparatus includes an inner layer, a guiding rail surrounding the inner layer and an ultrasonic probe positioned outside of the inner layer and connected to the guiding rail. The inner layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner layer is curved along a circumference direction. The ultrasonic probe includes a far end adjacent to the tissue and a near end opposite to the far end. When the ultrasonic data acquisition apparatus is in working, the ultrasonic probe is movable relative to the inner layer along the circumference direction while keeping the far end consistently abutting against the outer surface of the inner layer. Besides, a system for acquiring ultrasonic data and a control method of the ultrasonic data acquisition apparatus are also disclosed. | 04-14-2016 |
20160101436 | TUNABLE ULTRASOUND TRANSMITTER - The use of power-efficient transmitters to establish acoustic wave energy having low undesirable harmonics is achieved by adjusting the transmitter output waveform to minimize the undesirable harmonics. In one embodiment both the timing and slope of the waveform edges are adjusted to produce the desired output waveform having little or no second harmonics. In the embodiment, output waveform timing adjustments on the order of fractions of the system clock interval are provided. This then allows for very fine control of a coarsely produced waveform. In one embodiment, the user can select the fine tuning to match the transmitter output signal to a particular load transducer. | 04-14-2016 |
20160106390 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURING A PERIPHERAL ULTRASOUND DEVICE - Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for securing a device for acquiring cardiac data points from a patient. In one implementation, the device includes a patient interface and a probe. The patient interface includes an anchor having a patient side adapted for attaching to a surface of the patient and a probe side disposed opposite the patient side. The patient interface further includes a synchronizer having a plurality of synchronization features corresponding to a plurality of imaging locations on the patient. The synchronizer is mounted to the anchor and adapted to engage the probe. A window extends through the anchor and the synchronizer. The plurality of synchronization features are positioned around the window. Each of the synchronization features includes a unique set of keys identifying one of the plurality of imaging locations. | 04-21-2016 |
20160106393 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a transformer, a first power source, a second power source, and a switching unit. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, and drives an ultrasound transducer based on a voltage generated in the secondary winding. The first and second power sources cause a potential difference. The switching unit switches a connection path between the primary winding and at least one of the first and second power sources to a first connection path that connects the first power source to one end of the primary winding and the second power source to the other end, a second connection path that connects the first power source to the other end and the second power source to the one end, or a ground connection path that connects the first power source or the second power source to the ground through the primary winding. | 04-21-2016 |
20160113623 | TENSION TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL MECHANICAL PROBE USING SAME - A tension transmission device as a control system for a probing portion of a three-dimensional mechanical probe is fitted to a support portion. The tension transmission device includes a driving shaft, a first tension member, and a second tension member. The driving shaft defines first and second fastening points. The first fastening point and the second fastening point are located at axially-distanced points of the driving shaft which are not diametrically opposite. The first and second tension members wind around a circumference of the driving shaft guided by a first pulley and a second pulley, to rotate and manipulate the driven shaft of the probing portion. | 04-28-2016 |
20160113625 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREFOR - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic method are provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transducer for performing interconversion between an acoustic wave and an electric signal; and a transmitter for controlling the transducer so as to allow a plurality of plane waves to be transmitted through a plurality of sub-apertures. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118571 | MONOLITHIC CUPS FOR ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS AND METHODS OF MAKING ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS - In one aspect, ultrasound transducers are described herein comprising monolithic caps having low acoustic impedance. Such transducers can be safer to use and/or simpler to manufacture. A transducer described herein, in some embodiments, a casing, a transducer element assembly disposed in the casing, an impedance matching layer assembly positioned over the transducer element assembly, and a monolithic thermoplastic cup enclosing the inner impedance matching layer assembly, the monolithic thermoplastic cup comprising side walls extending over side walls of the casing and an impedance matching bottom wall having an acoustic impedance of 1.5 MRayls to 4.0 MRayls. | 04-28-2016 |
20160120504 | ULTRASONIC SCANNING SYSTEM - An ultrasonic scanning system includes a host device, an ultrasonic probe, and at least two electrodes. The ultrasonic probe is electrically connected to the host device for performing an ultrasonic scanning operation toward a detecting region to generate a scanning signal and to transmit the scanning signal to the host device. The at least two electrodes are disposed on the ultrasonic probe and are connected to the host device for detecting a physiological signal of the detecting region and transmitting the physiological signal to the host device. | 05-05-2016 |
20160120516 | Ultrasound System and Method, and Ultrasound Probe - An objective of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound system which can correct a positive-negative asymmetry in pulse inversion (PI) and obtain a high-image quality ultrasound image. To carryout an asymmetry correction of a transmission assembly circuit comprising an oscillation adjustment amplifier ( | 05-05-2016 |
20160121368 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION DEVICE - An ultrasonic transducer includes a substrate, a supporting film disposed on the substrate, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the supporting film. The substrate includes an opening. The piezoelectric element is disposed on an area that overlaps the opening in a plan view in a thickness direction of the substrate. A thickness of the supporting film at an area that overlaps the piezoelectric element in a plan view of the supporting film is smaller than a thickness of the supporting film at a different area different from the area that overlaps the piezoelectric element. | 05-05-2016 |
20160135784 | Ultrasound Probe Cover - A new and improved sterile ultrasound probe cover, said cover comprising two layers. The inner layer being placed inside the outer layer, the cover is gelled inside both inner and outer layers. The present invention can be manufactured inexpensively, is easy to use, and can cover an ultrasound probe in sterile manner very quickly, in amount of time which is appealing to practitioners and can be used without using an assistant. | 05-19-2016 |
20160135786 | WIRELESS ULTRASOUND PROBE TETHERED TO A POD - An apparatus for wirelessly transmitting ultrasound image information includes an ultrasound probe including a transducer array, a transceiver to wirelessly communicate with an ultrasound console including a host processor and a display screen, a pod containing an electrical energy storage device to power the transducer array and the transceiver and a cable providing an electrical connection between the ultrasound probe and the pod. | 05-19-2016 |
20160135791 | WIRELESS PROBE, ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING WIRELESS PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein are a wireless probe, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and a method of controlling the wireless probe and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. The wireless probe may include a power supply unit that supplies power to the wireless probe, and a controller that controls configuration information of the wireless probe to be backed up or restored based on a change in an operational state of the wireless probe. | 05-19-2016 |
20160136686 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR AN UNTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ARRAY - The present invention relates to an integrated circuit arrangement comprising: —a plurality of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) cells ( | 05-19-2016 |
20160143618 | DETACHABLY JOINED ULTRASONIC PROBE DEVICE - The present invention relates to a detachably joined ultrasonic probe device, including modular ultrasonic probe and a case for detachably joining with the modular ultrasonic probes, which enables the user to select a suitable ultrasonic probe according to desired performance and diagnosis frequency region. The device according to the present invention includes: a plurality of ultrasonic probe modules horizontally arranged in the direction of generating an ultrasonic wave; a case consisting of an outer housing with one open side for receiving and enclosing the plurality of ultrasonic probe modules, and a separation housing provided between the plurality of ultrasonic probe modules for separating the ultrasonic modules from one another, so as to detachably join with the ultrasonic modules; and a control module installed in the case for controlling the plurality of ultrasonic probe modules. | 05-26-2016 |
20160146929 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE - An ultrasound diagnostic device comprises a coefficient computation unit. The coefficient computation unit computes a coefficient on the basis of phase scattering in a plurality of received signals arranged in an element array direction. Beam data to which a phasing has been added is multiplied by the coefficient. A correction unit ensures that the coefficient does not get smaller than necessary on the basis of a transmission frequency. Excessive suppression of a main lobe component is thus eliminated or reduced. | 05-26-2016 |
20160151043 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME | 06-02-2016 |
20160151046 | Method And Device For Mapping Fibrous Media | 06-02-2016 |
20160157820 | ULTRASOUND OR PHOTOACOUSTIC PROBE, ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM USING SAME, ULTRASOUND THERAPY SYSTEM, ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY SYSTEM, AND ULTRASOUND OR PHOTOACOUSTIC SYSTEM - Provided are an ultrasound or photoacoustic probe, an ultrasound diagnosis system using the same, an ultrasound therapy system, an ultrasound diagnosis and therapy system, and an ultrasound or photoacoustic system. The ultrasound or photoacoustic probe, according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes: a first transmitting and receiving unit transmitting an ultrasound or photoacoustic signal to an object; and a second transmitting and receiving unit disposed to face the first transmitting and receiving unit, and receiving the ultrasound or photoacoustic signal passed through the object. | 06-09-2016 |
20160157821 | ULTRASONIC DEVICE, PROBE, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE, AND PROCESSING DEVICE - An ultrasonic device includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a driving electrode line connected to the piezoelectric elements, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The first terminal is connected to one end of the driving electrode line, and from the first terminal, a first driving signal for driving the piezoelectric elements, which is a voltage having an amplitude, is supplied to the piezoelectric elements. The second terminal is connected to another end of the driving electrode line, and from the second terminal, a second driving signal for driving the piezoelectric elements, which is a voltage having an amplitude, is supplied to the piezoelectric elements. | 06-09-2016 |
20160157830 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE GENERATION METHOD - An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: a probe including a plurality of elements that generate and transmit ultrasonic waves and receive ultrasonic waves reflected from a subject; a transmission unit that transmits ultrasonic beams toward the subject from the plurality of elements of the probe; an image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image by performing reception focusing for reception signals obtained by receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected from the subject in the plurality of elements of the probe; and a control unit that, when performing reception focusing in a direction different from a normal direction of each of the elements that form a reception opening of the probe, controls the image generation unit to generate an ultrasonic image in a direction different from the normal direction using only a signal having a predetermined low frequency band among the reception signals. | 06-09-2016 |
20160174934 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GUIDED ULTRASOUND IMAGE ACQUISITION | 06-23-2016 |
20160174936 | PROBE TRANSMISSION DEVICE | 06-23-2016 |
20160174937 | WIRELESS ULTRASOUND PROBE | 06-23-2016 |
20160174938 | ULTRASOUND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 06-23-2016 |
20160174939 | ULTRASONIC PROBE | 06-23-2016 |
20160183913 | Identifying Anatomical Structures - Aspects described herein disclose devices, systems, and methods for use in contexts such as minimally invasive surgery (MIS). A device is provided herein having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and an ultrasound transducer may be disposed within the distal portion and configured to scan tissue and identify certain portions of a patent's anatomy during the scanning process. The results of the detection may be presented to an operator of the device aurally and/or visually, such as in a 3-D volumetric image. By scanning the tissue, identifying the anatomy, and presenting the results to an operator, unnecessary damage to elements of the patients anatomy may be avoided or lessened. In some aspects, multiple transducers may be positioned on the device to increase the scanning range and/or scanning accuracy of the device. The device may provide an inner channel for the passage of surgical tools while scanning tissue. | 06-30-2016 |
20160183914 | ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE DISTAL END PORTION - An ultrasound endoscope distal end portion includes an ultrasound transducer provided at a distal end of an insertion portion, a wiring substrate electrically connected to the ultrasound transducer, a plurality of wires connected to the wiring substrate, a restricting section arranged so as to cover the wiring substrate, wiring substrate side fitting sections provided in the wiring substrate, a first restricting section side fitting section that is provided in the restricting section and fits with the wiring substrate side fitting sections. | 06-30-2016 |
20160191036 | Analog Switch For Transmitting High Voltage Signals Without Utilizing High Voltage Power Supplies - Described herein are multiple designs for an improved analog switch for use in transmitting high voltage signals without using high voltage power supplies for the switch. The analog switches are able to pass and block input signals in the approximate range of −100V to +100V. The use of translinear loops and a bootstrap configuration results in a constant on-resistance of the symmetrical switches and matches the conductance of each analog switch to the transconductance of an NMOS transistor, which can be easily stabilized with a constant g | 06-30-2016 |
20160199027 | ULTRASOUND PROBE COUPLERS AND RELATED METHODS | 07-14-2016 |
20160199030 | DUAL MODE CMUT TRANSDUCER | 07-14-2016 |
20160199031 | MATCHING MEMBER AND ULTRASOUND PROBE INCLUDING THE SAME | 07-14-2016 |
20160202349 | MONOLITHIC ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS | 07-14-2016 |
20160203809 | CAPACITIVE MICRO-MACHINED ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER CELL | 07-14-2016 |
20180021012 | ULTRASOUND IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROCESSING ULTRASOUND SIGNAL | 01-25-2018 |
20180021013 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR ADJUSTING INTER-TRANSMISSION WEIGHT,AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING METHOD | 01-25-2018 |
20180021014 | DEVICE FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH AN ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM | 01-25-2018 |
20180021016 | ULTRASONIC PROBE | 01-25-2018 |
20190142375 | ULTRASHIELD DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE IN ULTRASONIC PROCEDURES | 05-16-2019 |
20190142381 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING MULTIPLE MODES OF ULTRASOUND IMAGING USING A SINGLE ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER | 05-16-2019 |
20190145489 | VIBRATION CANCELING MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND ULTRASOUND PROBE INCLUDING THE SAME | 05-16-2019 |
20220133262 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ASSEMBLY, PROBE, ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM AND MANUFACTURING METHOD - The present disclosure provides an ultrasound transducer (UT) assembly for ultrasonic and photoacoustic dual-mode imaging of an endoscope, including a UT and a microlens integrated in the UT. The microlens is used for beam collimation or focusing and accommodated in an aperture of the UT. A probe/catheter including the UT assembly, an endoscopy system including the probe/catheter, and a method of manufacturing the UT assembly are also provided. The present application uses a photocurable glue and mold to form the microlens integrated in the UT and adopts the coaxial arrangement of the devices to solve the problems of light supply and device dimensions (rigid length and diameter), thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) probe/catheter. | 05-05-2022 |
20220133264 | TIP ASSEMBLIES FOR REAL-TIME SAMPLING SYSTEM - An apparatus and system for effective real-time visualization of medical device usage. The apparatus includes a handle that receives a medical device and an imaging component, a flexible shaft includes at least two lumen and is attached to the handle and an end cap attached to the flexible shaft. The end cap includes a first lumen, an exit port located at a proximal end of the end cap, a first slot, and a second slot. The first lumen of the end cap receives the imaging component from the flexible shaft. The exit port receives the medical device from the flexible shaft. The slots are located longitudinally on an outer surface of the end cap at a distal section of the end cap. The first lumen of the end cap opens into a trough for better tissue connectivity. | 05-05-2022 |
20220133274 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein. | 05-05-2022 |