Apparatus and methods for testing of acoustic devices and systems
AssigneeUnisyn Medical Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJames Ginther, John Timms, G. Wayne Moore, James Gessert
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Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an acoustic probe having transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical signal is generated at a frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies. The electrical signal is transmitted to at least some of the transducing elements to measure a complex impedance and thereby evaluate a performance of the transducing elements.
Claims32
A method of testing an acoustic probe having a plurality of transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals, the method comprising:
- generating a first electrical signal at a first frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies;
- transmitting the first electrical signal to selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements;
- measuring a first respective complex impedance with the first electrical signal for each of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements;
- and
- evaluating a performance of the each of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements from the first respective complex impedance.
A testing device for testing an acoustic probe having a plurality of transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals, the testing device comprising:
- a body;
- a coupling interface integrated with the body and adapted for connection with the acoustic probe;
- a processor coupled with the coupling interface and capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies;
- impedance circuitry internal to the body and coupled with the processor,
- wherein the processor has:
- instructions to generate a first electrical signal at a first frequency;
- instructions to transmit the first electrical signal to selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements via the coupling interface;
- instructions to measure a first respective complex impedance with the first electrical signal for each of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements using the impedance circuitry;
- and
- instructions to evaluate a performance of the each of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements from the first respective complex impedance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.