# US 10,765,403 B2 · Ultrasonic measuring device, examination apparatus and method for operating same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,403 B2 - Document ID: US10765403B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/387,479 - Filed: 2013-02-18 - Published: 2015-03-05 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-23 - Assignees: Franhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V. - Applicants: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung, e.V. - Inventors: Steffen Tretbar; Christian Degel; Matthias Guenther - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765403B2 ## CPC - A61B 8/4416: {related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions} - A61B 5/0035: {adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography} - A61B 8/145: {characterised by scanning multiple planes} - A61B 8/4209: {by using holders, e.g. positioning frames} - A61B 8/4236: {characterised by adhesive patches} - A61B 8/4254: {using sensors mounted on the probe} - A61B 8/4281: {characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue} - A61B 8/4411: {Device being modular} - A61B 8/4461: {Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe} - A61B 8/4477: {using several separate ultrasound transducers or probes} - A61B 8/4483: {characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer} - A61B 8/4494: {characterised by the arrangement of the transducer elements} - G01R 33/4814: {MR combined with ultrasound} - A61B 5/0095: {by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements} - A61B 8/4263: {using sensors not mounted on the probe, e.g. mounted on an external reference frame} - G01S 7/52079: {Constructional features (constructional features of transducers B06B; mounting transducers G10K11/00; constructional features of ultrasonic medical diagnostic devices A61B8/44)} - G01S 15/8915: {using a transducer array} - G01S 15/894: {by rotation about a single axis} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## Abstract The invention relates to an ultrasonic measuring device including an ultrasonic array configured to detect ultrasonic signals, and a housing. The housing includes an acoustic window portion and a housing wall. The ultrasonic array is arranged in the housing in acoustic contact with the acoustic window portion. The acoustic window portion is configured to adhere to a surface of the object to be examined. The invention further relates to an examination apparatus, which includes at least one such ultrasonic measuring device, and to a method for ultrasonic signal detection, in particular for ultrasound-based imaging. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ultrasonic measuring device, comprising: an ultrasonic array configured to detect ultrasonic signals, wherein the ultrasonic array is arranged both as an emitter of ultrasonic waves and as a detector of ultrasonic waves in order to generate images of an area to be examined from the ultrasonic signals detected, a housing comprising an acoustic window portion and a housing wall, the ultrasonic array being arranged in the housing in acoustic contact with the acoustic window portion, an electrically actuated actuator device which comprises a piezoelectric ring motor being enclosed by the housing and which is configured for an adjustment and movement of the ultrasonic array relative to the acoustic window portion and the area to be examined, wherein the piezoelectric ring motor comprises at least two piezoelectric actuators and a rotor which is coupled with the ultrasonic array via a drive shaft, and a position sensor using which a spatial position of the ultrasonic measuring device can be detected, and a directional sensor using which the alignment of the ultrasonic array in the housing can be detected, wherein the acoustic window portion is a plastic film which allows a transmission of ultrasonic waves, and comprises an external surface provided with an adhesive material such that the acoustic window portion is configured for an adherence to a surface of the object to be examined, the housing forms an electromagnetic shielding comprising a screening of the ultrasonic array and the piezoelectric ring motor and a balun at a line connection coupled with the housing, wherein the electromagnetic shielding is effective against fields in an MRI tomography device, and the ultrasonic array, the piezoelectric ring motor and the housing are made of magnetic-resonance-compatible materials that do not emit or emit negligible magnetic-resonance signals in reaction to high-frequency fields occurring in an MRI scanner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1, in which the acoustic window portion has at least one of the following features: the acoustic window portion being arranged detachably from the remaining housing, the acoustic window portion being a disposable product, the plastic film of the acoustic window portion has a screening material, and the acoustic window portion having a self-adhesive film. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 2, in which the plastic film has the screening material, and the screening material comprises an electrically conductive sputter layer or is made of conductive material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with the claim 2, in which the acoustic window portion is detachably attached via grip elements to the housing wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1, including at least one of the following features: the ultrasonic array can be rotated around an axis parallel to a surface normal of the acoustic window portion, the ultrasonic array can be rotated around an axis which is inclined relative to a surface normal of the acoustic window portion, and the ultrasonic array is movable in a translatory manner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1, in which the magnetic-resonance-compatible materials comprise at least one of: piezoceramics, piezoelectrically active monocrystals, piezoelectrically active polymers, composite materials made of piezoelectrically active monocrystals and polymers, composite material made of plastic and metallic oxide or metallic powder, metal, conductive adhesive, and plastic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the directional sensor is located within the housing, and the directional sensor is configured to detect the alignment of the ultrasonic array in the housing without an ultrasonic measurement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance claim 1, further comprising at least one of a fibre optic device and at least one light source using which light can be directed through at least one of the acoustic window portion and the housing wall onto the object to be examined. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An examination apparatus comprising at least one ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1, and a control device arranged to operate the at least one ultrasonic measuring device and to analyze recorded ultrasonic signals. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The examination apparatus in accordance with claim 9, which is arranged in connection with an MRI tomography device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1, in which the magnetic-resonance-compatible materials comprise at least one of: piezoceramics, piezoelectrically active monocrystals, piezoelectrically active polymers, composite materials made of piezoelectrically active monocrystals and polymers, composite material made of plastic and metallic oxide or metallic powder, metal, conductive adhesive, and plastic. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a connection line coupled to the ultrasonic array and to a control device arranged to operate the ultrasonic measuring device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method for ultrasonic signal detection, comprising: arranging the external surface of the acoustic window portion of the ultrasonic measuring device in accordance with claim 1 on the surface of an object to be examined; and actuating the at least one ultrasonic measuring device to transmit ultrasonic waves through the acoustic window portion to the surface of the object to be examined. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, in which the at least one ultrasonic measuring device is actuated for ultrasound-based imaging. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, in which the at least one of the positioning and continuously moving is conducted for scanning the at least one ultrasonic measuring device for a 3D data detection. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising: arranging the object to be examined in an MRI tomography device, and conducting the ultrasound-based imaging during the operation of the MRI tomography device.